Research Associate

About Us Index Bio is a venture-backed company at the forefront of food safety science. Our proprietary BioTags® technology enables food manufacturers to simulate contamination under real production conditions — safely and without disrupting operations. These food-grade, DNA-labeled tracers generate structured molecular evidence at 100,000x greater data resolution than conventional methods, creating the high-quality datasets that power our Trailhead agentic AI platform. Our work sits at the intersection of molecular biology, food safety, and artificial intelligence — and the science behind BioTags is central to everything we build. We are seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to join our scientific team in a full-time, permanent role. In this role, you will work closely with Index’s core team to design and execute projects aimed at advancing food safety and quality assurance through our cutting-edge BioTag® technology. Your responsibilities will include rigorous laboratory work, specifically DNA extraction from various food matrices, qPCR and dPCR analysis, co-development of the data analytical pipeline, detailed data interpretation, and clear communication of scientific findings to ensure that all projects meet the highest standards of accuracy and reproducibility. The ideal candidate will hold a Msc or PhD degree in biology or food science, specializing in molecular biology, food safety, microbiology or a related field, and will bring a strong passion for scientific exploration and innovation. Reporting to the Principal Scientist, you will play an integral role in collaborative discussions and decision-making within the team. Responsibilities - Conduct and support scientific research projects in a dynamic laboratory setting. - Perform extensive BioTag® DNA extractions from diverse food matrices in accordance with established SOPs and recommend protocol optimizations as needed. - Utilize advanced molecular biology techniques including but not limited to qPCR and digital PCR to generate reliable data. - Participate in designing and executing experiments to expand BioTag’s® utility and characterize its performance under diverse conditions related to food safety, quality assurance, and similar applications. - Organize and maintain laboratory resources, ensuring meticulous record keeping and project file management. - Analyze experimental data using robust statistical methods and prepare detailed research reports. - Collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team to achieve shared research objectives while confidently advancing individual projects. - Communicate research progress and findings clearly to team members, stakeholders, and the broader scientific community. - Report to the Principal Scientist on project progress and laboratory issues. - Perform other duties as required based on the focus and priority of the company’s project-oriented initiatives. Eligibility · Must be a post-secondary graduate. · Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada (work permits or student visas are not eligible). · Must be legally entitled to work in Canada. Qualifications - MSc or PhD degree in biology, food science, or a related discipline. - Strong laboratory experience and skills with a proven track record of executing scientific experiments. - Experience in performing DNA extractions from various food matrices, along with proficiency in qPCR and dPCR setup and data analysis. - Solid academic background or experience in food science, food safety, or the food industry is preferred. - A record of scientific publications is considered an asset. - Excellent analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills. - Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team in a fast-paced research environment. What We Offer - A collaborative and supportive work environment where innovation, creativity and integrity are valued. - Opportunities for professional growth and development. - Competitive salary commensurate with experience and benefits package.