Molecular Biology Research Assistant, Translational Research

The Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel (IOB) is seeking a highly motivated Molecular Biology Research Assistant to join the Translational Group.

IOB is a research institute combining basic and clinical research. Its mission is to drive innovations in understanding vision and its diseases and develop new therapies for vision loss. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your abilities challenged, and your knowledge expanded.

The main goal of the Translational Group is to develop and bring new classes of therapies to the clinic. We specifically focus on gene therapy and base editing technologies to provide treatments for genetic vision loss. Our activities include developing gene editing assays, performing proof-of-concept studies in cells, organoids, retinal explants and animal models, optimizing lead candidate therapeutic agents, perform safety and biodistribution studies, characterize and recruit patients for the clinical trials, develop clinical outcome measures and prepare for regulatory authorization. The Translational Group is an interdisciplinary environment and acts as a bridge between IOB's Molecular and Clinical Center to allow rapid translation of scientific results into therapy.

You will be participating in cutting-edge research and interact with people with different expertise!

Your position

• Construct gene therapy vectors by molecular cloning;
• Evaluate gene therapy efficiency using various molecular biology techniques, including PCR, qPCR, sequencing, Western-blot, immunohistochemistry;
• Perform cell-culture and cell-based assays;
• Establish new techniques and protocols;
• Support of PhD students and postdocs in their research activities in the Translation Group;
• General administrative support and maintenance of the lab;
• Participate in the development and translation of cutting edge gene therapeutic methods.

Your profile

• Biologielaborant/in (or equivalent education) or Bachelor's/Master's Degree (or equivalent) in molecular biology or related field;
• Strong background in molecular biology, at least 3 years experience with basic molecular lab work (DNA, RNA purification, PCR, cloning etc.);
• Protein analysis skills are a plus;
• Independence in the planning, conducting, analysis and troubleshooting of standard molecular biology experiments;
• The candidate should be highly organized, precise, detail-oriented and computer skilled;
• Good written and verbal communications skills;
• Fluency in oral and written English.

We offer you

• Highly competitive conditions in a dynamic and international research community in Basel
• IOB is an equal-opportunity employer with family-friendly work policies