Associate Scientist
Revel Technologies
This job is no longer accepting applications
See open jobs at Revel Technologies.See open jobs similar to "Associate Scientist" KdT Ventures.About Rarebird
Rarebird is at the forefront of modernizing how and why we drink coffee. We've developed Px coffee, a patented coffee containing paraxanthine (Px) instead of caffeine, offering the benefits of coffee without the jitters, anxiety, or sleep disruption associated with caffeine. We're seeking a talented, motivated scientist to execute and accelerate our research efforts in developing a biomanufacturing route to produce Px using engineered enzymes. This position is perfect for someone wishing to get in early and grow with a fast-paced, innovative company.
Notable company highlights:
- A venture-backed startup whose investors include Y Combinator, First Round Capital, AgFunder, and 43North
- Px coffee was awarded Best New Product by the National Coffee Association in 2023
Job Summary
The ideal candidate will play a critical role in the development and optimization of systems for microbial expression of enzymes and catalytic metabolite synthesis. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research and process development in industrial biotechnology.
Key Responsibilities
The role will perform many, but not necessarily all, of the following duties:
Molecular Cloning:
- Design and construct recombinant plasmids for gene expression in bacterial hosts.
- Perform transformation and analysis of engineered strains.
- Utilize standard techniques for verification of constructs.
- Optimize conditions (promoters, terminators, secretion signals) to improve expression efficiency.
Microbial Cell Culture & Biofermentation Process Optimization:
- Perform microbial culture at various scales (shake flasks, bench-scale fermenters, and bioreactors).
- Optimize culture conditions (media composition, temperature, pH, aeration, and agitation) for high-yield protein production.
- Monitor cell growth, substrate utilization, and metabolite/enzyme production.
- Set up, operate, and troubleshoot small-scale bioreactors.
- Implement fed-batch and continuous fermentation strategies.
- Develop and execute enzyme purification protocols (TFF, micro/ultrafiltration, etc.)
- Characterize purified proteins (SDS-PAGE, enzymatic assays, spectrophotometric analysis, etc.).
- Assess enzyme activity, stability, and kinetics for functional validation.
Catalytic Metabolite Synthesis:
- Perform catalytic cell-free transformation of substrate to metabolite (i.e. caffeine to Px)
- Operate reactions at various scales (microreactors, pilot, etc.)
- Optimize reaction conditions for yield and purity
Data & Documentation:
- Ensure compliance with biosafety and laboratory safety standards.
- Assist in the maintenance of laboratory equipment and inventory management.
- Maintain accurate and detailed laboratory records, including experimental designs, results, and troubleshooting steps.
- Analyze experimental data, generate reports, and present findings to the research team.
- Contribute to the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and technical documentation.
Qualifications & Skills
The ideal candidate will possess many, but not necessarily all, of the following:
Required:
- B.S., M.S., or higher in Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Molecular Biology, or a related field
- 2+ years of hands-on, wet laboratory experience in molecular cloning, microbial cell culture, and/or biofermentation
- Experience in standard molecular biology techniques (PCR, gel electrophoresis, cloning methods), microbial cell culture and fermentation, protein isolation/purification (homogenization, filtration, etc.), and/or enzymatic reaction optimization
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with an acute attention to detail and passion for innovation
- Highly organized with the ability to plan, multi-task and manage time effectively
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced research environment
Preferred:
- Knowledge of additional metabolic engineering and synthetic biology tools
- Familiarity with analytical methods such as HPLC, LC-MS, or spectroscopy
- Experience with setup and operation of fermentation bench scale bioreactors
What We Offer
- Baseline Compensation: $60,000 - $80,000k per year, dependent on experience and expertise
- As a member of Startup-Up New York, this position is NY State income tax exempt (up to 10 years)
- Competitive equity package commensurate with experience and ability to build long-term value at the company
- Benefits include: healthcare, vision, and dental insurance, and 401k
- Potential for career and responsibility growth with expansion of R&D programs
- Opportunity to perform cutting-edge research in a rapidly growing, innovative start-up
Job Type: Full-time
Work Location: Buffalo, NY (in-person)
This job is no longer accepting applications
See open jobs at Revel Technologies.See open jobs similar to "Associate Scientist" KdT Ventures.