About the job

Location: Irvine, CA

Company Summary:

Aureka Biotechnologies is an AI-driven biotech startup integrating high-throughput biology with generative AI to discover and develop antibody therapeutics with exceptional speed and precision. Through multiple pharma collaborations, our platform has been validated to deliver best-in-class, differentiated antibodies that are difficult to identify using traditional discovery methods.

Position Summary:

Aureka Bio is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Associate Scientist or Scientist to join our Assay Development Team. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to a dynamic, AI-enabled biotherapeutics company dedicated to rapidly generating next-generation biologics in Immunology & Inflammation (I&I), metabolic, and fibrotic diseases.

The successful candidate will design, develop, and execute biochemical, cell-based, and in vivo translational assays to characterize antibody function, signaling, and efficacy. This individual will work closely with the protein engineering, molecular biology, and in vivo pharmacology teams to provide critical functional and mechanistic insights that drive Aureka’s antibody discovery programs.

This is a bench-facing, on-site position based in Irvine, CA, offering high visibility and the opportunity to directly influence therapeutic discovery programs. The final title and level will be determined based on experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, optimize, and execute cell-based functional assays, including reporter assays, cytokine release, proliferation, and immune activation assays.
• Develop and perform biochemical and binding assays such as ELISA, AlphaLISA, BLI/Octet, or flow-based binding.

Professional Experience and Qualifications

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Immunology, Bioengineering, or a related discipline.
• For Associate Scientist: 3–5 years of relevant experience.
• For Scientist: 5+ years of experience in assay development, biologics discovery, and/or in vivo pharmacology.
• Proven expertise in antibiotics-free mammalian cell culture and cell-based functional assays and experienced with handling human primary cells in BSL2 environments.

Preferred:

• Experience with antibody or therapeutic protein characterization (agonism, antagonism, Fc effector, checkpoint signaling, and cytokine signaling).
• Familiarity with rodent models of inflammation, autoimmunity, or metabolic disease (not necessarily direct handling).
• Experience with assay automation or 384-well miniaturization.

Compensation:

Competitive and commensurate with experience, including salary, equity, and benefits—aligned with the company’s long-term success.

Why join us:

• Competitive compensation, comprehensive healthcare coverage, equity participation, family leave, paid time off, and 401(k) retirement plan.
• A fast-growing, innovation-driven work environment at the intersection of biology, automation, and AI.
• High-impact, collaborative culture where ideas translate directly into therapeutic candidates.
• Professional growth opportunities through mentorship, exposure to full discovery pipelines, and cross-functional project involvement.