Research Associate / Senior Research Associate, Metabolic Engineering
Location: Morrisville/RTP, NC – On‑Site
Employment: Full‑Time DMC Employee
About the role
We are looking for several Research Associates (RAs) / Senior Research Associates (Sr. RAs) to join our Metabolic Engineering team at our RTP location. The RA/Sr. RA will work as part of the Metabolic Engineering team and will be responsible for the construction, testing, and optimization of engineered microbial strains at bench scale. The successful candidate will perform hands-on molecular biology and metabolic engineering experiments, conduct high-throughput screening of production strains, and generate high-quality, reliable experimental data through careful and consistent execution. The candidate will accurately document, report, and communicate experimental results, observations, and progress to their manager. Please note that this position is supported by grant funding and is initially offered as a 12‑month term, subject to the terms and duration of the grant.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate effectively with scientists and other team members in a cross-functional environment.
- Perform hands-on molecular biology and microbial engineering experiments for the construction of microbial strains, including E. coli and S. cerevisiae.
- Execute PCR, DNA purification, DNA assembly, transformation, plasmid construction, strain construction, and related molecular biology experiments.
- Perform high-throughput screening and characterization of engineered production strains.
- Operate laboratory automation systems, including liquid handlers, for production strain screening and other workflows.
- Conduct fermentation and/or cultivation experiments at bench scale (96-well plates, Biolector, shake flasks, etc.) and collect high-quality experimental data.
- Conduct basic data analysis using Python or Excel and apply data-driven approaches to identify trends and generate hypotheses.
- Follow, maintain, and contribute to the development and revision of SOPs and experimental procedures.
- Prepare reagents and materials for the MetEng team's daily work, including media, buffers, and stock solutions.
- Prepare glassware and equipment to support ongoing experimental work.
- Assist in general laboratory management, including inventory, ordering, and organization.
- Maintain safe laboratory practices and a safe work environment.
- Record data accurately in electronic lab systems and report deviations or anomalies.
Qualifications
- B.S. or M.S. degree in Microbiology, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field.
- RA: 0–3+ years of relevant laboratory experience. Sr. RA: 2–5+ years of relevant industry or academic research experience, with demonstrated ability to independently execute complex experimental workflows.
- Must be a self-starter who is motivated and scientifically curious, pays close attention to detail, and works effectively and collaboratively with team members.
- Experience with PCR, plasmid construction, DNA assembly, transformation, and microbial strain development.
- Experience following detailed SOPs and experimental procedures.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple experiments and priorities.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining high-quality experimental data.
- Hands-on experience with microbial engineering, molecular biology, or synthetic biology, particularly involving E. coli and/or S. cerevisiae, is preferred.
- Experience with laboratory automation/liquid handlers is preferred.
- Experience with fermentation, microbial cultivation, or high-throughput screening is a plus.
- Experience with electronic lab systems is a plus.
- Familiarity with statistical analysis, Design of Experiments (DoE), and quantitative analysis is preferred.
- Python or other programming experience is a plus.
Benefits
Full DMC Employee Benefits