Skip to main content

Hardware Engineer

Los Angeles, CA
Permanent

Posted

Research Associate, Strain Build
Location:
On-site - Mountain View, CA

Project Overview
At A-Life, 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.

The Role
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.

Key Responsibilities
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.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications

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.

Preferred Qualifications
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.

EEO:
Mindlance is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of Minority/Gender/Disability/Religion/LGBTQI/Age/Veterans.

Job Type: Permanent

Job ID: 254740232