Hardware Engineer (II)

Research Associate, Strain Build
Location: On-site - Mountain View, CA



Project Overview
t A-Life, we are focused on enabling our partners to achieve the biomanufacturing revolution. We are seeking a skilled Research Associate to join our strain engineering effort.



The Role
s a Research Associate in Strain Build, you will be a core member of the laboratory team, responsible for the hands-on design, build, and validation of engineered microbial strains for internal model data generation and partnered projects. You will work closely with RAs, scientists and engineers to execute high-throughput workflows and ensure the highest quality of molecular biology outputs.



Key Responsibilities
• Strain Design: Starting from high level design objectives, create construct maps and build strategies for the desired strain designs.
• Strain Engineering: Execute and optimize complex strain construction workflows using modern molecular biology techniques (e.g., Gibson assembly, Golden Gate, CRISPR/Cas9, etc.).
• Laboratory Operations: Execute high-throughput cloning, DNA preparation, and microbial transformations.
• Troubleshooting: Identify and resolve technical challenges within the strain-build pipeline to ensure project timelines are met.
• Data Management: Meticulously document experimental protocols and results in Electronic Lab Notebooks (e.g. Benchling) and internal databases.
• Process Improvement: Collaborate with the team to refine standard operating procedures (SOPs) for increased efficiency and reproducibility.



Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
• Education: B.S. or M.S. in Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, Microbiology, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Industrial Experience: 3 plus years of professional experience in an industrial setting specifically focused on strain build/engineering.
• Technical Mastery: Proven proficiency in microbial culturing (E. coli or S. cerevisiae), molecular cloning, and genomic integration techniques.
• Precision: High attention to detail with a track record of executing complex protocols with minimal error.



Preferred Qualifications
• Automation: Experience using liquid handling robots (e.g., Agilent Bravo, Tecan) and automated plate readers.
• Microbial Diversity: Experience working with microbial hosts beyond E. coli or S. cerevisiae.
• Digital Fluency: Advanced experience with Benchling or similar LIMS for strain and sample management and molecular biology tools such as Geneious.



EEO:
"Mindlance is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of - Minority/Gender/Disability/Religion/LGBTQI/Age/Veterans."