Research Associate (Organ Perfusion)
Until
Bay Area · $90k–$100k a year · Posted May 19, 2026
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Pay compared with the market
This listing pays about $95,000 a year. Across 62 open research associate listings that state pay, the middle half runs $60,000 to $95,500 and the median is $73,500. That is inside the middle half of those listings, 29% above the median.
Listed pay is what employers advertise, not what people are paid.
How AI is used in this kind of work
AI use among life, physical, and social science technicians, all other is little observed so far. Measured exposure for life, physical, and social science technicians, all other: 10% (little observed).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
Skills this job asks for
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About the job
Until is a moonshot company building a “pause button” for biology. Our near-term focus is organ-scale reversible cryopreservation: preserving donated organs at subzero temperatures without ice formation, then rewarming them uniformly for transplant. By solving this grand challenge, we’re laying the foundation for whole-body reversible cryopreservation, giving patients a bridge to future cures.
To achieve our goal, we are assembling an interdisciplinary team to develop perfusion systems, cryoprotectant formulations, and vitrification and rewarming hardware.
We envision a future where no transplantable organ is lost to logistics, and no terminal diagnosis is final because patients can safely wait for future medicine to arrive.
About The Role We are seeking an experienced and dedicated full-time Research Associate to join our whole organ preservation team. As Research Associate, you will play a vital role in the scientific progress of our research program. The primary focus of this role is on developing organ perfusion protocols, with an emphasis on organ isolation, preservation, and viability evaluation. The person in this role is encouraged to take on significant ownership of specific technical challenges.
You will have the opportunity to collaborate with scientists and engineers across the company on variety of methods inspired by first principles of biology, physics, and chemistry. Creative scientific engagement is encouraged, and new avenues for discovery and optimization are continuously supported.
Responsibilities
Perform pig organ isolation and ex-vivo evaluation protocols, including perfusion and histology
Work within scientific team to evaluate health of organs following cryopreservation
Survey literature and conduct experimental tests to answer critical questions towards optimizing preservation protocol
Ensure accurate sample processing and on-time data reporting
Qualifications
You have an undergraduate degree in a STEM field, or significant STEM-related training
You have 2 years experience and an excellent record of success performing complex and demanding laboratory procedures, ideally with training in ex vivo organ perfusion and viability assessment.
You have demonstrated a passion for rapid problem solving and exploration of novel topics / protocols.
Desire to work in a laboratory setting.
You have experience or interest in physiology, with a creative approach to understanding and manipulating functions of organs.
You demonstrate agency, problem solving, passion for discovery, and a drive to push the boundaries of science through meaningful involvement in an ambitious project.
Benefits
Opportunity for outsized impact creating the future as an early team member
Generous medical, dental and vision insurance coverage
Flexible time off and paid holidays
Competitive compensation package, including salary and equity
401(k) retirement savings plan
FSA and commuter benefits
Subsidized lunch daily
As an equal opportunity employer, Until is committed to providing employment opportunities to all individuals. All applicants for positions at Until will be treated without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.