Research Scientist, Molecular Biology & Mosquito Genetics

About Synvect: Mosquitoes kill more people than any other animal on Earth. Synvect is a biotech startup building biosafe-by-design, scalable solutions to eliminate disease-transmitting insects, powered by our proprietary biotechnology platform. We’re starting with the mosquito, and our goal is to reduce the global burden of vector-borne disease through rigorous science and sustainable methods.

The Role: We’re looking for a hands-on molecular biologist to join our team and help develop, optimize, and validate our bioengineered mosquito control products. You’ll own bench work from day one: designing and building genetic constructs, generating engineered mosquito strains, and running the experiments that show whether they work.

This is a chance to do foundational work at an early-stage company, where your experiments directly shape the products we bring to the field.

What You’ll Do:

• Advanced Construct Design & Cloning: Independently design, simulate, and execute complex, multi-fragment genetic assemblies using Golden Gate, Gibson Assembly, and restriction-clone methods.
• Computational Analysis & Bioinformatics: Perform in-depth in silico plasmid mapping, sequence alignments and NGS/Sanger data analysis.
• Strain Generation & Genotyping: Generation of transgenic mosquito strains, following rigorous QC protocols via high-throughput PCR, RT-qPCR, and multi-locus sequencing to validate integration and expression.
• Experimental Strategy & Troubleshooting: Author experimental protocols, troubleshoot failed assemblies independently, and systematically optimize molecular assays with minimal oversight.
• Data Integration & Documentation: Maintain meticulous, audit-ready electronic lab notebooks, analyze multi-omic datasets, and present high-level technical summaries.
• Colony maintenance: Assist with colony maintenance and embryo microinjections as needed.

What You Bring:

• Education & Experience: A B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Synthetic Biology, Genetics, or a related field, paired with 4+ years (for B.S./M.S.) or 1+ years (for Ph.D.) of verifiable, high-throughput bench experience in advanced molecular cloning. Demonstrated technical mastery outweighs degree level.
• Advanced Cloning Mastery: Proven track record of successfully assembling complex, large, or repetitive genetic constructs.
• Expert Software & Analysis Skills: Advanced proficiency in computational tools like SnapGene, Benchling, or Geneious for predictive design and troubleshooting.
• Comprehensive Sequencing Knowledge: Deep experience preparing, executing, and analyzing Sanger sequencing, NGS, or long-read (Nanopore/PacBio) data.
• Autonomy: Absolute capability to design workflows from a conceptual map to a physical plasmid with zero technical supervision.

Nice to Have:

• Experience with functional insect genetics, specifically embryo microinjection or CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing in Aedes or Anopheles mosquitoes.
• Background in insect rearing, colony management, or vector biology.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive full-time salary, $75k - $100k based on experience
• Equity
• Full benefits package

Requirements:

• U.S. work authorization
• Current residence in the San Diego area (this role is fully on-site)