Associate Scientist/Scientist, Strain Engineering - Sunnyvale, United States - Willow Biosciences

Description

Job Description

About Willow Biosciences: Willow Biosciences is a synthetic biology company that develops and produces precision fermented ingredients for the health and wellness, food and beverage, and personal care markets. Willow's FutureGrownTM and BioOxiTM platforms were built to revolutionize industrial manufacturing of pure, consistent, and sustainable ingredients with sustainability at its core. Willow's R&D team engineer organisms to produce plant-, animal-, and petrochemical-derived ingredients through precision fermentation. Our fully integrated processes are more sustainable, secure, and cost-effective than traditional extraction or chemical synthesis routes and typically provide products of higher purity and yield.

Mission, Values and Beliefs: It is rewarding to work at a company where people genuinely believe in what they are doing. At Willow Biosciences, we are committed to bringing high-purity compounds to market through scalable and cost-effective bio-based processes. We work hard, we are serious about what we do, and we like to have fun while we are at it

Position: Associate Scientist/Scientist, Strain Engineering

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Associate Scientist/Scientist to join our Strain Engineering team focused on applying multiplexed HTP approaches for enzyme and host engineering in microorganisms, particularly yeast. The successful candidate will have strong molecular biology skills and demonstrated experience using synthetic DNA and gene-editing tools to create and integrate large, diverse DNA libraries for HTP screening, as well as constructing large- genome wide knockout and overexpression libraries.

Location: Sunnyvale, CA, US

Education: MS/PhD in genetics, molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, chemical engineering, or a related field.

Experience: 2+ years' demonstrated experience in enzyme/strain engineering of eukaryotic microorganisms e.g., S. cerevisiae and Pichia using high throughput DNA library construction techniques in an industrial research setting (Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, or Life Sciences Industries). Experience working with ELN and LIMS for data capture and tracking. Specific experience in gene editing technologies and working in a high-throughput environment strongly preferred for production of natural products and/or small molecules. Experience in protein engineering or directed evolution using high-throughput systems and assays as well as in working with automated platforms (PCR, cloning, microbial transformation, homologous recombination, sequencing, and CRISPR-based integration).

Responsibilities Include:

• Design and build strains to optimize production of target molecules, based on knowledge of metabolic pathways and cellular physiology.
• Design and build of single-gene and combinatorial libraries for strain improvement (using in-house bioinformatics tools).
• Improve protocols for building/cloning multi-gene DNA assemblies/libraries in yeast.
• Improve protocols for high efficiency transformation of libraries into expression host microbes such as yeast.
• Prepare DNA libraries for Nanopore sequencing (in-house)/Load DNA libraries into the flow-cell.
• Hands on experience working with lab automation equipment such as robotic liquid handlers (e.g., Bravo, QPix, Opentrons)
• Apply a broad range of analytical methods including qPCR, DNA electrophoresis, spectrophotometry, and SDS-PAGE gels to QC and test strains.
• Improve in-house automation platforms and high throughput workflows to increase experimental throughput.
• Take an active role in sequence/activity data analysis and offer strategic recommendations based on interpretation of data for subsequent strain/enzyme engineering decisions.
• Perform hypothesis-driven wet-lab experiments in microtiter plates and shake flasks to improve strain/enzyme metrics.
• Collaborate closely with fermentation team to develop strains/enzymes & processes toward commercial targets
• Keep organized and detailed documentation; develop SOPs for documentation and knowledge transfer.
• Keep up to date with current literature in molecular biology tool development such as advancements in gene-editing and implement innovative technologies as relevant.
• Present data internally as well as with outside stakeholders, including investors and partners.
• Mentor Research Associates
• Work in partnership with other scientists (computational biologists, analytical chemists, and fermentation scientists) to identify, develop, and apply new synthetic biology & genome engineering tools to meet company goals/milestones.
• Participate in rapid "Design/Build/Test/Learn" cycles with other lab scientists to meet company goals & milestones.

Job Requirements:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written).
• Ability to communicate/present work and analysis to audiences with diverse technical backgrounds.
• Attention to detail, safety, and good laboratory practice.
• Ability to track documentation, have good record keeping and write reports and SOPs.
• Ability to take ownership, prioritize responsibilities, multi-task and remain flexible with changing needs.
• Must be motivated and able to work under tight deadlines.
• Work in partnership with other scientists (molecular biologists, computational biologists, and analytical scientists) to meet company goals/milestones.
• Capable of high performance in independent work as well as in team setting.
• A strong desire to grow as a scientific researcher, learn new techniques and adopt innovative technologies for process improvements.
• Experience working with ELN and LIMS (Benchling preferred)
• Be curious, creative, and tenacious.
• Model our core values and believe in our mission.

Physical Demands:

• Remaining in a seated or standing position for extended periods
• Performing repetitive tasks with hands, fingers, and wrists
• Use of standard lab PPE (lab coats, safety glasses and gloves)

Position Type: Full-time position (~75-80% lab work)

Travel: Not required

Work Authorization: Authorized to work in the US.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary package, 401k, healthcare benefits, medical, vision & dental
• Paid vacation and company holidays
• Life / AD&D, Short-term and Long-term Disability Insurance
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Company, and team wide social events

Equal Opportunity Employment: Willow Biosciences is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.