Business Development Research Associate

We’re looking for a driven Clinical Research Partnerships Associate to join the Functional Genomics & Cell Models team and take the lead in building a high-quality, diverse biobank to drive therapeutic discovery. In this role, you will build and maintain relationships with clinical institutions, surgeons, pathologists, and healthcare providers to source fresh, frozen or banked tissue from a diverse population of diseased and healthy patients. You will collaborate with scientists to define tissue collection methods, protocols, and standard operating procedures (SOPs). This role blends scientific execution with entrepreneurial initiative.

• Establish and maintain long-term partnerships with hospital networks for biospecimen acquisition.
• Serve as the primary liaison for external partnerships and develop SOPs for specimen collection, processing, and logistics.
• Collaborate closely with surgeons, pathologists, and clinical staff to align specimen collection with institutional workflows.
• Negotiate and manage sponsored research agreements and ensure timely execution across clinical sites.
• Represent Pattern Bio in meetings, site visits, and collaborative presentations to ensure alignment of clinical partnerships with research goals.
• Ensure all specimen collection complies with ethical, legal, and regulatory standards, including informed consent and IRB oversight.
• Coordinate with clinicians and CROs; plan and oversee technology transfer and study execution.
• Stay current with emerging methods in patient-derived and primary in vitro models.

• M.S. or B.S. with 2+ years industry experience in a relevant life science field (cell biology, cancer biology, molecular biology, bioengineering, biomedical sciences)
• 2+ years of experience in biospecimen procurement, clinical research coordination, or biobanking.
• Familiarity with patient-derivedmodels, ideally in oncology (tumor organoids, tumor explants), as well as healthy/primary human and animal cells (primary cells, stem cell models, spheroids, organoids, organs-on-chip). 
• Strong knowledge of procurement principles, practices and procedures. Demonstrated experience establishing and managing partnerships with clinical institutions and healthcare organizations
• Deep understanding of human tissue collection protocols, clinical workflows, relevant legal requirements and regulatory compliance (HIPAA, IRB, etc.). 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, especially in cross-functional and partner-facing contexts.
• Track record of developing project proposals, study design, and communicating scientific content.
• Proven ability to negotiate and close agreements. Excels at building cross-functional relationships and driving complex collaborations. 
• Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment. Highly motivated, team player with a strong work ethic 

At Pattern Bio, we design biological circuits at the intersection of synthetic biology and AI for cell-specific targeting of cancer tissue. By integrating data-driven design into every step—from DNA constructs to AAV-based delivery systems—we are building precise, rationally engineered, curative therapies. Our cohesive and driven team in South San Francisco is dedicated to curing cancer and saving lives.