Research Assistant/Associate, Assay

$70,000 - $80,000/Yr

Willow Biosciences - Sunnyvale, CA

Full-time - Entry Level

Sunnyvale, CA

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

Willow Biosciences is a synthetic biology company that develops biobased processes for production of ingredients in the pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and consumer care sectors. Willow's FutureGrownTM and BioOxiTM platforms were built to revolutionize industrial manufacturing of pure, consistent, and sustainable ingredients with sustainability at its core. Our fully integrated bio-based processes are more sustainable, secure, and cost-effective than traditional extraction or chemical synthesis routes and typically provide products of higher purity and yield. We are seeking an experienced individual who will contribute to the metabolic engineering of biosynthetic pathways in microorganisms, particularly yeast. This individual will have strong skills in high throughput screening, working knowledge of assay development, and practical experience with automation robotic workflows. This position is for a highly motivated and experienced individual with a strong desire to work in a fast-paced, collaborative startup environment. This individual will work under the guidance of scientists to develop high throughput biological assays for the analytical detection and quantification of molecules of interest.

Responsibilities

• Hands-on experience working with lab automation equipment such as robotic liquid handlers (e.g. Bravo, Tecan), automated colony picker (Q-Pix), incubators/ shakers, and other standard analytical equipment.
• Work with scientists to develop, validate and execute methods for detection, quantification, and characterization of enzymes and pathways in engineered yeast strains.
• Conduct HTP screening using techniques such as HPLC and GC with various detection methods (mass spectrometry, UV/Vis, RI, FID) including preparation of reagents and samples, instrument calibration, operation, and maintenance.
• Operate instrument and perform assays with great attention to details.
• Propose continual process improvements for efficiency and quality.
• Maintain timely documentation of laboratory work.
• Create and maintain analytical documents (HTP automation workflows) including SOPs.
• Ability to communicate/present work and analysis to audiences with diverse technical backgrounds.
• Work in partnership with lab scientists (strain engineers, computational biologists, and fermentation scientists) to identify, develop, and apply new synthetic biology & genome engineering tools to meet company goals/milestones.

Requirements

• BS in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, or a related field.
• 1-3 years' experience in a high throughput environment working with quantitative analytical techniques and operating lab automation equipment such as liquid handling robotics in an industrial research setting (Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, or Life Sciences Industries).
• Experience working with yeast and E. coli preferred.
• Attention to detail, good laboratory practice, and maintenance of a high degree of accuracy while working in high throughput.
• Outstanding team player with strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal).
• Capable of high performance in independent work as well as in a team setting.
• A strong desire to grow as a scientific researcher, learn new techniques, and adopt new technologies for process improvements.
• Proficiency with MS Office suite.

Benefits

• Healthcare Benefits - medical, vision, dental
• Vacation + Paid Holidays
• Life / AD&D, Short-term and Long-term Disability Insurance
• 401k