Job Title: Research Associate

Department: Research and Development

Location: Rochester, Minnesota

Rion is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Rochester, Minnesota, founded as a Mayo Clinic Employee Entrepreneurial Program startup company. Rion’s mission is to develop clinically impactful and accessible therapies using innovative regenerative medicine technologies based on extracellular vesicle science. Our proprietary exosome platform has the ability to address significant unmet patient needs in many fields of medicine. We are actively pursuing clinical programs in wound healing, cardiovascular disease, and osteoarthritis. Our ultimate mission is to deliver cutting edge solutions accessible to any patient in need, anywhere in the world.

Position Summary:

The Research Associate will contribute to ongoing scientific projects within the Research and Development laboratory focused on Rion’s exosome technology. As such, the candidate will possess the technical skills required to conduct experiments and assays in a wet lab environment involving techniques such as mammalian cell culture, flow cytometry, ELISA, RT-qPCR, and colorimetric/fluorometric-based assays. The Research Associate will be responsible for the execution of experiments, as well as data interpretation and final reporting. The position affords the opportunity to serve as a key member of Rion’s scientific team and contribute to the advancement of exosome therapeutics. The Research Associate will work closely with the Research and Development Scientists and support the efforts Process Development. As such, the successful candidate will work in an upbeat, highly collaborative and dynamic environment. Additional responsibilities associated with this position will involve assisting in day-to-day laboratory operations such as inventory management, procurement, and general laboratory and equipment maintenance.

Responsibilities:

• Contribute to ongoing scientific studies centered on Rion’s exosome technology

• Execute experiments in a wet lab setting

• Conduct data analysis and provide scientific interpretation of results

• Generate summary reports and/or presentations to communicate findings to the Rion Research and Development team

• Maintain regulatory compliance appropriate for preclinical study execution, including all prescribed training as found in SOPs and work instructions

• Willingness to learn and understand GLP guidance for execution of preclinical studies

• Utilize a paper-based laboratory notebook to document daily activities and maintain an organized index of experiments and results

• Demonstrate leadership skills and support peers in a collaborative environment

• Remain up to date with current scientific literature with an emphasis on extracellular vesicle therapeutics and indications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with focus in Biological Sciences

• 1+ years of relevant work experience in a biological sciences laboratory

• Prior experience in research laboratory with demonstrated ability to summarize findings and compose technical scientific documents. Experience with mammalian cell culture, ELISA, Western blotting and/or RT-qPCR preferred

• Sound scientific knowledge in cellular biology and human disease

• Proficient in data analysis and graphical software (ex. Microsoft Excel, GraphPad Prism)

• Excellent communication skills and ability to present findings to members of the R&D team

• Strong organizational and time management skills

• Ability to independently solve problems

• Demonstrated ability to work as a team player with multi-disciplinary project teams

Rion recognizes the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue career path their goals, both at work and in their personal lives. We provide a highly competitive compensation package with a unique culture focusing on development and wellbeing of our staff. Below are some of the benefits offered by Rion:

• Comprehensive benefits package

• Health Insurance including PPO or High Deductible Health Plan with Health Savings Account

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

• 401K or IRA Retirement Savings

• Life Insurance basic life and supplemental life insurance options for self, spouse, children

• Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance

• Paid Time Off

• Paid Holidays

• Parking benefits

Rion is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state and local fair employment practices laws. Rion strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including pregnancy), gender (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender or transsexual individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, marital status, AIDS/HIV status, smoker/nonsmoker, and occupational pneumoconiosis or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law.