Research Associate, Strain Engineering

Research Associate, Strain Engineering

Location - Cambridge, MA

Zymergen is hiring a Research Associate in Strain Engineering to design, build, and test strains and strain libraries to increase the production of valuable biomolecules. In addition to mastering existing approaches to high-throughput strain construction and screening, the Research Associate will pioneer new techniques and refine new strategies to push strain performance farther and faster than ever before. This is an opportunity to drive the success of an exciting project while also shaping the strain engineering platform of the future from within a company at the forefront of bio-based manufacturing. Realizing Zymergen's vision depends on collaboration between researchers from myriad personal and professional backgrounds; working as part of this diverse and multidisciplinary team is the central responsibility and benefit of this position.

Job Description and Specific Responsibilities

Immediate responsibilities include:

* Generate DNA assemblies (plasmids) and strains. Be fluent with DNA assembly techniques and able to quickly understand and apply new approaches
* Design and construct libraries of strain variants using computational and rational approaches to increase the titer of various biomolecules
* Apply a variety of analytical methods, ranging from PCR to Next-Gen sequencing to fluorescence-based assays, to validate and test strains and libraries
* Constantly collaborate with teams across the company to move through the design, build, and test cycle and meet project milestones

Qualifications/Experience

Qualified candidates have project-based experience designing and executing experiments: a lab-based MS or BS with several years research experience. We are interested in candidates with technical training in biology, molecular biology, or biochemistry, and we look for candidates with a track record of careful and creative experimental design.

* Expertise using DNA assembly and bacterial or yeast transformation techniques
* Experience applying and adapting biochemical or cell-based assays to evaluate strain performance
* Must be comfortable communicating and working with others across departments and disciplines
* Familiarity with cloning software (e.g. SnapGene) or scripting languages (e.g. Python) is a plus
* Experience with laboratory automation (Agilent, Tecan, Beckman, and others) is a plus

Additional Details

This position is in the early research and discovery branch of the company. New projects arise frequently and may turn over every few quarters. Research Associates will be expected to bring creativity, perseverance, and effective planning and execution of experiments to each new project. Previous experience in the field of synthetic biology is a plus.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.Founded in 2013 and based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Zymergen is a technology company unlocking the power of biology. We deliver better economics for products made from biology that are used across industries, bring new products to market faster, and develop novel products. Our proprietary platform uses robots and machine learning to engineer microbes faster, more predictably, and to a level of performance previously unattainable. These microbes, and the products they produce, have broad applications across industries such as chemicals and materials, agriculture, and healthcare. For more information visit .

Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. Zymergen may agree to sponsor an individual for an employment visa now or in the future if there is a shortage of individuals with particular skills for this job.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Founded in 2013 and headquartered in the SF Bay Area, Zymergen is a science and material innovation company rethinking biology and reimagining the world. A World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer, Zymergen partners with nature to create never-before imagined materials and products across industries - from agriculture to consumer electronics, personal care to pharmaceuticals, and more. The company's materials are in use today, creating value for Fortune 1000 companies and major corporations across the globe. Our clients have sold over $1 billion worth of products using Zymergen microbial strains. For more information visit: .