Research Associate / Senior Research Associate, Strain Engineering
About The Position
As a Research Associate / Senior Research Associate (grade will be commensurate with qualifications and experience), you will be a core driver of our strain engineering R&D efforts, turning genetic designs into sustainable solutions. You will join a collaborative, fast-moving team where your role extends beyond the bench; we are looking for a scientist who is eager to bring on new methods, optimize workflows, and contribute to high-level experimental strategy. You will directly drive and execute design-build-test-learn cycles for novel microbial strains, conducting high-throughput screens and rigorous data analysis to accelerate Switch’s mission toward biofertilizer production.
Requirements
- Must be authorized to work full-time in the U.S. and able to work on-site daily in the California Bay Area.
- MS/BS in molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, synthetic biology, or a related field with 5+ years of industry experience or equivalent. Title would be commensurate with qualifications.
- Proven experience in microbial molecular genetics and the engineering of bacterial chromosomes (≥2 years).
- State-of-the-art DNA design and construction HTP workflows (3+ years)
- Proficient in aseptic techniques and culturing diverse microorganisms.
- Strong attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and critical thinking.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Comfortable standing for extended periods and handling delicate lab equipment.
- Eager to both share and receive constructive feedback.
- Able to start no later than May 2026.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in engineering non-model or Gram-positive bacteria.
- Experience the use of CRISPR in prokaryotic hosts.
- Experience in extracting DNA from soil samples for NGS library preparation and downstream data analysis.
Responsibilities
- Engineer microbial strains to enhance plant growth-promoting traits.
- Design and build genetic circuits in non-model bacteria using modern assembly and recombination methods (e.g., Golden Gate, Gibson Assembly, CRISPR, etc).
- Develop and leverage high-throughput workflows to optimize strain engineering.
- Execute and analyze physiological, protein, and biochemical assays to evaluate strains.
- Maintain detailed records and rigorously analyze data to ensure reproducibility.
- Contribute actively to experimental design and daily planning.
- Present scientific plans and results clearly to the team.
- Work effectively both independently and within cross-functional teams.
- Champion a culture of rigorous lab safety.
- Leverage current literature to help shape the broader scientific strategy.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Number of Employees
1-10 employees
