Research Scientist/Engr 1

About the role

The position supports the experimental pipeline for engineering and characterizing light-responsive RNA polymerase systems. It involves molecular cloning, protein production, and cell-free functional assays to generate milestones and publications on optogenetic polymerase control, sequence-programmed RNA synthesis, and related protein-sensor technologies.

Responsibilities

• Molecular cloning and construct generation – 25%
• Design and build plasmids for engineered T7 polymerases, optogenetic domains, protein binders, reporters, and assay controls using PCR, Gibson/Golden Gate assembly, mutagenesis, and sequence verification.
• Protein expression, purification, and QC – 20%
• Express and purify polymerases, binders, and optogenetic protein components (primarily from bacteria) using affinity chromatography/FPLC and standard QC methods such as SDS-PAGE, concentration assessment, and storage optimization.
• In vitro functional assay development and execution – 25%
• Develop and run cell-free transcription and polymerase assays, including time-course transcription assays, one- or few-base incorporation assays, and assays using modified nucleotides such as fluorescently labeled or biotinylated bases.
• Optogenetic characterization and readout integration – 15%
• Perform light-control experiments, fluorescence/plate-reader assays, and other optical measurements needed to evaluate gating behavior, kinetics, and retained function of engineered constructs.
• Sequencing sample preparation and data/QC handoff – 10%
• Prepare samples for sequencing-based readouts, organize construct/sample metadata, and maintain clean experimental records that support downstream analysis and sponsor reporting.
• Project support, documentation, and collaboration – 5%
• Maintain SOPs, reagent inventories, and experimental documentation; prepare figures/tables for meetings and reports; and coordinate day-to-day bench workflows with the PI, trainees, and collaborating groups.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Biochemistry, molecular biology, bioengineering, chem biol, or related field and one year of relevant experience laboratory research.
• Experience with molecular cloning: PCR, Gibson/Golden Gate assembly, mutagenesis, bacterial transformation, plasmid preparation, and sequence verification.
• Experience with protein production: bacterial expression, affinity purification, chromatography/FPLC workflows, and protein QC.
• Experience with biochemical assays: enzyme assays, transcription assays, fluorescence-based readouts, or related in vitro functional measurements.
• Desire for experience with cell-free transcription or nucleic-acid enzyme assays.
• Experience with optogenetic proteins, light-controlled assays, or photochemistry/fluorescence instrumentation.
• Experience with sequencing library preparation or sample-prep familiarity for assay readouts.
• Experience with protein binders, display/selections, or protein-sensor engineering.
• Basic computational comfort for organizing data, plotting results, and working with standard lab analysis tools.
• Data quality and documentation: careful experimental record-keeping, sample tracking, and SOP development.
• Communication and teamwork: ability to summarize results clearly and work closely with the PI and collaborators.