Research Associate Jobs in Washington
Research Associate jobs in Washington are in strong demand, concentrated in biomedical research, clinical trials, environmental science, and technology-driven social science across a wide range from entry-level lab assistants through senior research staff. Seattle, Bellevue, and Spokane lead hiring activity, anchored by institutions and employers such as the University of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, and Microsoft Research, which maintain consistent research associate pipelines year-round. Genomics, computational biology, and health policy analysis are among the most in-demand specialties in the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Research Associate JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 20+ Research Associate jobs
SystImmune is a leading and well-funded clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company located in Redmond, WA and Princeton, NJ. It specializes in developing innovative cancer treatments using its established drug development platforms, focusing on bi-specific, multi-specific antibodies, and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). SystImmune has multiple assets in various stages of clinical trials for solid tumor and hematologic indications. Alongside ongoing clinical trials. SystImmune has a robust preclinical pipeline of potential cancer therapeutics in the discover and IND-enabling stages, representing cutting-edge biologics development. We offer an opportunity for you to learn and grow while making significant contributions to the company's success.
The Research Associate II/Senior Research Associate will assist in downstream protein purification, protein characterization, and process development. The position will directly report to a Downstream lead and assist in downstream process development and tech transfer to a GMP manufacturing facility. In this role, the individual will assist and operate both routine and advanced analytical instruments as well as protein purification systems.
This position is full-time onsite at our new Bothell, WA location. This role may occasionally need to work outside normal work hours.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assist in downstream process development of molecules in pre-clinical and clinical pipelines. Process development activities include buffer preparation, chromatography method development and execution, TFF, and filtration operations and development
- Assist in performing routine purifications and analytical assays to support cell-line development, upstream, analytical, and formulation groups
- Execute development experiments to produce scalable and robust purification processes via affinity chromatography, IEX, HIC and CHT, etc, using the ÄKTA FPLC platform. Execute development experiments to produce scalable and robust viral inactivation, viral filtration and tangential flow filtration process
- Generate low endotoxin production runs for pre-clinical studies
- Perform routine HPLC/UPLC, CE, cIEF, octet, ELISA and other biophysical techniques to support upstream, downstream, and formulation process development
- Compile, analyze, and report data for process development, tech transfer documentation, and other internal partners
- Author standard operating procedures for biophysical assays and standard workflows
- Participate in timeline planning
- Other duties as assigned
Required Skills & Qualifications:
- MS or BS in Protein Science, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry or a related field and relevant pharmaceutical or biotech experience
- Research Associate II - requires 2+ years of industry experience
- Senior Research Associate - requires BS with 5+ years of experience or MS degree with 3+ years of industry experience
- Experience with protein chromatography and filtration methods, and protein analysis techniques
- Ability to execute SOPs and biophysical assays, and experiments designed for process development of pipeline molecules independently
-
Hands-on experience in:
- ÄKTA Protein Purification Systems and Unicorn software
- SEC-HPLC/UPLC
- Purification Process Development
- Crossflow and Tangential Flow Filtration techniques
- Column packing / unpacking
- Viral inactivation and viral filtration process development / Viral clearance study
- Low endotoxin production run
- Process scale-down/scale-up
Compensation and Benefits:
The expected base salary range for this position is $70,000 - $90,000 annually. Actual compensation will be based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to a candidate’s level qualifications, experience, and skills.
While most offers typically fall within the low to mid-point of the range, we may extend an offer toward the higher end for exceptional candidates whose background and expertise exceeds the requirements of the role.
SystImmune is a leading and well-funded biotech company with a bright future. We offer an opportunity for you to learn and grow while making significant contributions to the company’s success. SystImmune offers a comprehensive benefits package including: 100% paid employee premiums for medical/dental/vision, also STD, LTD, a 401(k) plan with a 50% company match of up to 3% and a vesting schedule of only 5 years, 15 PTO days per year, sick leave, plus 11 paid holidays and MORE.
We offer an opportunity for you to learn and grow while making significant contributions to the company’s success.
SystImmune is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome diverse talent and encourage all qualified applicants to apply.
SystImmune is a leading and well-funded clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company located in Redmond, WA and Princeton, NJ. It specializes in developing innovative cancer treatments using its established drug development platforms, focusing on bi-specific, multi-specific antibodies, and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). SystImmune has multiple assets in various stages of clinical trials for solid tumor and hematologic indications. Alongside ongoing clinical trials. SystImmune has a robust preclinical pipeline of potential cancer therapeutics in the discover and IND-enabling stages, representing cutting-edge biologics development. We offer an opportunity for you to learn and grow while making significant contributions to the company's success.
The Research Associate II/Senior Research Associate will assist in downstream protein purification, protein characterization, and process development. The position will directly report to a Downstream lead and assist in downstream process development and tech transfer to a GMP manufacturing facility. In this role, the individual will assist and operate both routine and advanced analytical instruments as well as protein purification systems.
This position is full-time onsite at our new Bothell, WA location. This role may occasionally need to work outside normal work hours.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assist in downstream process development of molecules in pre-clinical and clinical pipelines. Process development activities include buffer preparation, chromatography method development and execution, TFF, and filtration operations and development
- Assist in performing routine purifications and analytical assays to support cell-line development, upstream, analytical, and formulation groups
- Execute development experiments to produce scalable and robust purification processes via affinity chromatography, IEX, HIC and CHT, etc, using the ÄKTA FPLC platform. Execute development experiments to produce scalable and robust viral inactivation, viral filtration and tangential flow filtration process
- Generate low endotoxin production runs for pre-clinical studies
- Perform routine HPLC/UPLC, CE, cIEF, octet, ELISA and other biophysical techniques to support upstream, downstream, and formulation process development
- Compile, analyze, and report data for process development, tech transfer documentation, and other internal partners
- Author standard operating procedures for biophysical assays and standard workflows
- Participate in timeline planning
- Other duties as assigned
Required Skills & Qualifications:
- MS or BS in Protein Science, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry or a related field and relevant pharmaceutical or biotech experience
- Research Associate II - requires 2+ years of industry experience
- Senior Research Associate - requires BS with 5+ years of experience or MS degree with 3+ years of industry experience
- Experience with protein chromatography and filtration methods, and protein analysis techniques
- Ability to execute SOPs and biophysical assays, and experiments designed for process development of pipeline molecules independently
-
Hands-on experience in:
- ÄKTA Protein Purification Systems and Unicorn software
- SEC-HPLC/UPLC
- Purification Process Development
- Crossflow and Tangential Flow Filtration techniques
- Column packing / unpacking
- Viral inactivation and viral filtration process development / Viral clearance study
- Low endotoxin production run
- Process scale-down/scale-up
Compensation and Benefits:
The expected base salary range for this position is $70,000 - $90,000 annually. Actual compensation will be based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to a candidate’s level qualifications, experience, and skills.
While most offers typically fall within the low to mid-point of the range, we may extend an offer toward the higher end for exceptional candidates whose background and expertise exceeds the requirements of the role.
SystImmune is a leading and well-funded biotech company with a bright future. We offer an opportunity for you to learn and grow while making significant contributions to the company’s success. SystImmune offers a comprehensive benefits package including: 100% paid employee premiums for medical/dental/vision, also STD, LTD, a 401(k) plan with a 50% company match of up to 3% and a vesting schedule of only 5 years, 15 PTO days per year, sick leave, plus 11 paid holidays and MORE.
We offer an opportunity for you to learn and grow while making significant contributions to the company’s success.
SystImmune is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome diverse talent and encourage all qualified applicants to apply.
See All 20 Research Associate Jobs in Washington
Find roles in Washington that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Associate JobsResearch Associate Jobs by City in Washington
Where Washington roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Associate Job Market in Washington
A snapshot from current Washington openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Science & Research
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Technology & Software
What Washington Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research associate jobs across Washington.
- Bachelor's degree in life sciences, social sciences, public health, or a related field
- Experience with statistical analysis tools such as R, Python, SPSS, or SAS
- Familiarity with IRB protocols, human subjects research, or GCP compliance
- Demonstrated ability to collect, clean, and interpret large research datasets
- Strong scientific writing skills for reports, grant summaries, and publications
- Proficiency with laboratory techniques or field research methods relevant to the discipline
Research Associate Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research associate in Washington?
Most research associate roles in Washington require at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline such as biology, public health, psychology, or data science. Washington does not issue a state license specific to the research associate title, so entry depends on education, hands-on lab or field experience, and sometimes a graduate degree for clinical or policy-focused roles. Candidates targeting university or hospital-affiliated positions benefit from research experience gained through UW or WSU programs.
Which companies hire research associates in Washington?
Employers hiring research associates in Washington right now include University Of Washington, Systimmune, and Altasciences, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Washington's concentration of academic medical centers, biotech firms, and federally funded research institutes means consistent hiring across both the public and private sectors throughout the year.
Which Washington cities have the most research associate jobs?
The cities with the most research associate openings in Washington are Seattle, Bothell, and Everett. Seattle dominates because of the University of Washington Medical Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, and a dense biotech and tech research corridor, while Bellevue and Spokane benefit from corporate R&D presence and Washington State University's research programs, respectively.
Are there remote research associate jobs in Washington?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely desk-based fields, since many research associate roles involve lab work, clinical data collection, or in-person fieldwork. About 20% of research associate openings tied to Washington are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting selective flexibility. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote arrangements are data analysis, health policy research, and social science survey work.
How can I get hired as a research associate in Washington with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to research assistant or junior research coordinator roles at Washington's academic medical centers and universities, particularly the University of Washington, which runs structured research training programs and frequently posts entry-level openings. Volunteering or interning through a UW or WSU lab, completing a research methods certificate, or transitioning from adjacent roles such as clinical data coordinator or lab technician gives candidates a concrete edge with Washington employers who prioritize demonstrated hands-on exposure over years of experience.
Where can I find and apply to research associate jobs in Washington?
You can find and apply to research associate jobs in Washington on Migrate Mate, which lists current Washington openings from employers actively hiring. Search the listings, find a role that fits your background and location, and apply directly through the posting without any detour.
See All 20 Research Associate Jobs in Washington
Find roles in Washington that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Associate Jobs