Research Assistant

Company: Oncodea
Location: Saint Paul
Posted on: February 17, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Are you a recent college graduate or early-career scientist looking to make a difference in the fight against cancer? Oncodea is seeking a passionate and driven individual to join our team and help advance our mission of making early cancer detection accessible and affordable. As a Research Assistant at Oncodea, you will have the opportunity to work closely with our executive leadership and founders who possess deep expertise in bioinformatics, biotechnology, and cancer research. In this role, you will be an integral part of our team, assisting in advancing our cell-free cancer diagnostic technologies, clinical data capture and management, and project management. We understand that not all candidates may possess all the listed skills, but we value a willingness to learn and grow with us as Oncodea continues to expand. Aspects of this position include general R&D lab duties, innovative problem-solving, data accumulation, and data analysis and presentation. What you will do: • Analyze molecular fingerprints from a large set of human biospecimens • Catalog and maintain clinical sample database • Process and ensure proper storage of the samples • General lab duties, including ordering, inventory, and management of reagents • Create and follow SOPs for molecular biology workflows • Maintain detailed experimental records • Carry out routine molecular fingerprinting analysis, designing and improving the analytic workflow • Assist in carrying out clinical trial studies and setting up a clinical lab • Carry out RNA and protein analysis workflow • Perform bioinformatics and data science workflow What you must bring: • Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology, medical laboratory sciences, biophysics, molecular diagnostics, computational biology, or a related discipline • >1-year combined experience in academic research labs and/or biotech industry and/or biotech startups • Strong analytical skills • Strong attention to details • Exceptional lab notebook skills • Strong communication and presentation skills • Strong time management skills • Strong technical and Microsoft Excel skills and/or experience with Python and/or R language • Bioinformatics/data science experience • Willingness to work in a fast-paced, dynamic, and lean-startup environment • Experience with BSL II and clean room environment • Basic molecular biology techniques, including nucleic acid purification and RNA analysis What you might have: • Familiarity with machine learning or big data • Familiarity with NGS/sequencing library preparation and analysis and other genomic/transcriptomic platforms • Database management and visualization • Project management skills The bottom line: • Competitive salary commensurate with experience and credentials • Generous PTO, paid holidays, and 100% health care benefits If you have a curious mind, attention to detail, and a drive to make a difference, we encourage you to apply. Join us in the fight against cancer and help us make early cancer detection a reality for all! Powered by JazzHR jAK8cQ0GQ7

Keywords: Oncodea, Plymouth , Research Assistant, Science, Research & Development , Saint Paul, Minnesota