Hardware Engineer (II)

We are focused on enabling our partners to achieve the biomanufacturing revolution. We are seeking a skilled Research Associate to join our strain engineering effort.

As a Research Associate in Strain Build you will be a core member of the laboratory team responsible for the hands-on design build and validation of engineered microbial strains for internal model data generation and partnered projects. You will work closely with RAs scientists and engineers to execute high-throughput workflows and ensure the highest quality of molecular biology outputs.

Strain Design: Starting from high level design objectives create construct maps and build strategies for the desired strain designs.

Strain Engineering: Execute and optimize complex strain construction workflows using modern molecular biology techniques (e.g. Gibson assembly Golden Gate CRISPR/Cas9 etc.).

Laboratory Operations: Execute high-throughput cloning DNA preparation and microbial transformations.

Troubleshooting: Identify and resolve technical challenges within the strain-build pipeline to ensure project timelines are met.

Data Management: Meticulously document experimental protocols and results in Electronic Lab Notebooks (e.g. Benchling) and internal databases.

Process Improvement: Collaborate with the team to refine standard operating procedures (SOPs) for increased efficiency and reproducibility.

Education: B.S. or M.S. in Molecular Biology Bioengineering Microbiology Chemical Engineering or a related field.

Industrial Experience: 3 plus years of professional experience in an industrial setting specifically focused on strain build/engineering.

Technical Mastery: Proven proficiency in microbial culturing (E. coli or S. cerevisiae) molecular cloning and genomic integration techniques.

Precision: High attention to detail with a track record of executing complex protocols with minimal error.

Automation: Experience using liquid handling robots (e.g. Agilent Bravo Tecan) and automated plate readers.

Microbial Diversity: Experience working with microbial hosts beyond E. coli or S. cerevisiae.

Digital Fluency: Advanced experience with Benchling or similar LIMS for strain and sample management and molecular biology tools such as Geneious.