Senior Research Associate, Molecular Biology

ATUM is looking for a Senior Research Associate to join our team.

ATUM (www.atum.bio) is a 19-year-old, world-leading bioengineering company of ~150 people. We conduct research to advance our in-house technology platforms and to develop new ways to apply them to solve important biotechnological or pharmaceutical deficiencies. The company has state-of-the-art capabilities in machine learning-assisted synthetic biology, and a suite of innovative technologies spanning protein and cellular engineering, gene synthesis, gene transfer, protein expression and manufacturing. We provide diverse, and often highly tailored, solutions to a broad range of clients across the globe.

The right candidate will be a skilled molecular biologist for a lab-focused Sr. Research Associate Position in our Internal Research and Development group. This individual will work in a small but collaborative team to expand and deepen ATUM's range of capabilities in our integrated bioengineering pipeline. The successful candidate will rapidly gain an understanding of each aspect of our pipeline to leverage our capabilities towards development of novel technologies in the areas of protein engineering, protein expression, cell line development, and cell and gene therapy. The right candidate must be flexible, willing to multi-task and pitch in as needed. The right candidate will be a fundamentally curious wet-lab scientist who is looking for opportunities for significant innovation in the field of biotechnology.

Essential Functions

The duties of this position will include supporting the design, testing and enhancement of genetic expression tools in eukaryotic hosts and mammalian cell lines, including ATUM's LPN transposase system, as well as host cell line engineering for establishing target phenotypes. This position will require a researcher capable of independent troubleshooting and optimization of standard techniques through literature survey, discussions and critical thinking, and subsequent application to new areas. Routine techniques will include construct design, standard synthetic biology/molecular biological techniques, transformation of yeast and bacteria, transfection of mammalian cells, phenotypic assay development, cell culture. The successful candidate must be comfortable with both collaboration and independent work and have excellent communication and organizational skills.

Requirements

Skills and Techniques

Molecular biology

• PCR and nonstandard PCR methods development experience
• Molecular Cloning - expression construct design and application, including CRISPR/Cas9
  
  

Microbiology and strain engineering

• Excellent sterile technique
• Transformation and expression techniques in microbial and eukaryotic hosts, including yeast
  
  

Biochemistry

• Protein expression, SDS-PAGE, Western Blots
• Biochemical assay development
  
  

Education And Experience

B.S. or M.S. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or related field with 5+ yrs of laboratory experience in a research capacity

Desirable but not required

• RNA methods: isolation, purification, rtPCR
• Cell Biology
• Cell line and primary cell culture
• Transfection and transduction techniques
• Cell-based assay design and development
• Analytical
• Understanding of HPLC, LCMS and other fundamental analytical techniques
  
  

Other Requirements

• Demonstrated interest in research and development
• Critical thinking skills in experimental design and results interpretation
• Creative problem solving and tenacity when faced with difficult research hurdles
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Excellent people, communication, and organizational skills
• Willingness to change focus quickly, work on several projects simultaneously, and fearlessly jump right in to tackle new challenges and skill areas
  
  

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to frequently and repetitively move and/or pour a minimum of 5lbs (up to 25lbs may occasionally be required) as well as other physical activities, including:`

• Constantly opening and closing lab receptacles, including removing and adhering plate seals, twisting caps, lifting lids.
• Occasionally ascending/descending a ladder to retrieve lab supplies.
• Constantly positioning self to pour or pipette reagents used for the lab process, including large and small volumes.
  
  

Benefits

• Free catered lunch (Monday-Friday)
• 100% employer-funded benefits package
• Medical and Dependent Care flex spending account
• 20 days PTO, accrual basis
• 10 paid company holidays
• 401(k), Safe Harbor plan and employer-matching retirement plan