Scientist, Assay

About Willow Biosciences: Willow Biosciences is a synthetic biology company that develops and produces precision fermented ingredients for the health and wellness, food and beverage, and personal care markets. Willow’s FutureGrownTM and BioOxiTM platforms were built to revolutionize industrial manufacturing of pure, consistent, and sustainable ingredients with sustainability at its core. Willow’s R&D team engineers organisms to produce plant-, animal-, and petrochemical-derived ingredients through precision fermentation. Our fully integrated processes are more sustainable, secure, and cost-effective than traditional extraction or chemical synthesis routes and typically provide products of higher purity and yield.

Mission, Values and Beliefs: It is rewarding to work at a company where people genuinely believe in what they are doing. At Willow Biosciences, we are committed to bringing high-purity compounds to market through scalable and cost-effective bio-based processes. We work hard, we are serious about what we do, and we like to have fun while we are at it

Position: Scientist, Assay & Analytics

We are seeking a highly motivated Scientist to join our Assay & Analytics team and contribute to multiplexed HTP approaches for enzyme and host engineering in microorganisms, particularly yeast. The successful candidate will have a strong working knowledge of assay development, practical experience with automation workflows for HTP screening, and extensive experience with interpreting analytical data.

Location: Sunnyvale, CA US

Education: MS/PhD in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, or a related field.

Experience: 2+ years’ experience developing assays for engineered strains and enzymes, operating lab automation equipment and working with a range of analytical instruments in an industrial research setting (Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, or Life Sciences Industries). Specific experience with the design of HTP assays to apply selective pressure and identify improved strains/enzymes is strongly preferred. Proficiency with GC-MS maintenance and operation is a plus.

Responsibilities include:

• Design and implementation of HTP screening conditions to be used to identify improved engineered variants across a range of programs.
• Collaborate with analytical scientists to develop, validate, and execute analytical methods for detection and quantification of molecules of interest in engineered yeast strains.
• Collaborate with scientists/associate scientists to conduct weekly high-throughput screening workflows including culturing, preparing reagents/buffers, plate extraction and sample preparation.
• Take an active role in processing & analyzing data to ensure delivery in a timely manner to key stakeholders. Hands-on experience with UPLC, GC-MS, LC-MS; experience with Agilent Technologies LC-MS/GC-MS or Thermo Scientific LC-MS is a plus.
• Operate, calibrate, and maintain robotic liquid handlers (e.g., Bravo, TECAN, Opentrons, ViaFill), incubators/shakers and other standard laboratory equipment.
• Maintain timely documentation of laboratory work; provide written documentation and specifications of analytical workflows (SOPs).
• Effectively communicate/present work and analysis to other scientists with diverse technical backgrounds (strain engineers, fermentation scientists, and computational biologists).
• Experience working with LIMS (preferably Benchling).
• Proficiency with MS Office suite.

Job Requirements:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written).
• Ability to communicate/present work and analysis to audiences with diverse technical backgrounds.
• Attention to detail, safety, and good laboratory practice.
• Ability to track documentation, have good record keeping and write reports and SOPs.
• Ability to take ownership, prioritize responsibilities, multi-task and remain flexible with changing needs.
• Must be motivated and able to work under tight deadlines.
• Work in partnership with other scientists (molecular biologists, computational biologists, and fermentation scientists) to meet company goals/milestones.
• Capable of high performance as an individual contributor as well as a team setting.
• Strong desire to grow as a scientific researcher, learn new techniques and adopt innovative technologies for process improvements.
• Be curious, creative, and tenacious.
• Model our core values and believe in our mission.

Physical Demands:

• Remaining in a seated or standing position for extended periods
• Performing repetitive tasks with hands, fingers, and wrists
• Use of standard lab PPE (lab coats, safety glasses and gloves)

Position Type: Full-time position

Travel: Not required

Work Authorization: Authorized to work in the US.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary package, 401k, healthcare benefits, medical, vision & dental
• Paid vacation and company holidays
• Life / AD&D, Short-term and Long-term Disability Insurance
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Company and team wide social events

Equal Opportunity Employment: Willow Biosciences is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.