Research Assistant - Phage & Bacterial R&D at Tabula
Tabula is hiring a Research Assistant - Phage & Bacterial R&D in Madison, WI, US. On-site.
About Tabula
Tabula is an AI-first biotechnology company designing DNA-based countermeasures against infectious disease. The company focuses on bacteriophages, natural viruses that infect bacteria, and uses computational modeling, physics-based simulations, and an in-house wet lab to develop new therapies for hard-to-treat infections, especially those resistant to antibiotics.
Research Assistant - Phage & Bacterial R&D job description
About the role
We’re seeking a hands-on Research Assistant to support a fast-moving microbiology and molecular biology R&D program focused on bacteriophages and gram-negative bacteria (including E. coli and Pseudomonas). This is a temp-to-hire position for someone with 1–3 years of biotech/industry lab experience who is detail-oriented, contamination-conscious, and able to execute on SOPs with a path toward contributing to research.
What you'll do
You’ll spend the majority of your time at the bench executing SOPs, with the goal of progressing toward running portions of experiments independently.
Core Responsibilities
Perform routine molecular biology workflows, including PCR, agarose gels, basic molecular cloning, and DNA/RNA handling.
Conduct bacterial culture work with BSL-2 gram-negative organisms: picking colonies, streaking, culturing, preparing samples, and maintaining strain stocks.
Execute phage assays including plaque assays / spot assays, and related workflows (e.g., host range / EOP-style readouts and quantitation).
Run growth curves and plate-based assays, including work in 96-well formats and use of a plate reader.
Prepare media, agar plates, and stock solutions; support general lab readiness (mixing reagents, labeling, sterile technique).
Support NGS-related sample preparation tasks (e.g., nucleic acid extraction and handling, sample QC, and sequencing prep steps as assigned).
Maintain excellent documentation in an R&D environment (lab notebooking; Benchling experience is a plus).
Required qualifications
1-3 years of relevant lab experience, ideally in a biotech/industry setting (academic experience considered if highly hands-on).
Demonstrated competency with each core responsibility above
Strong attention to detail and excellent contamination control habits.
Ability to work on-site in a BSL-2 lab and complete required safety training.
Comfortable with physical lab work, including lifting up to 35 lbs.
Clear communication, reliability, and ability to follow written SOPs and protocols.
Highly desired / nice-to-have
Phage experience (plaque assays, spot assays, phage handling/quantitation).
Experience with e. coli, klebsiella, pseudomonas, or other gram-negative pathogens in BSL-2 settings.
Experience with nucleic acid extraction and NGS sample preparation workflows.
Familiarity with Benchling or similar ELN systems.
MS degree is a plus (but hands-on lab skill is most important).
About Tabula Bioscience
Tabula is developing a new class of phage therapies to address antibiotic resistant infections. We are a team of phage, machine learning, and genomics researchers from MIT and Harvard.
Pay: $25.00 - $37.00 per hour
Benefits:
401(k)
401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
