Hiring: Senior Research Associate, Strain Engineering Company: Flagship Pioneering Location: Boston, MA Job Posted Time: 2026-09-11 17:58:09 Employment Type: Full-time Target Skills & Keywords: Strain Engineering, Genetic Engineering, DNA Assembly, Plasmid Construction, Golden Gate Assembly, HiFi Assembly, NGS, PCR, Microbial Culture, Recombinant Protein Production, Molecular Biology, Shake Flask, Microtiter Plates, Cell Banks, Laboratory Operations Experience: - Hands-on experience in microbial strain engineering and genetic engineering - Practical experience with DNA assembly strategies and microbial culture techniques - Experience performing molecular biology techniques including plasmid construction, PCR, and sequencing analysis - Experience with strain screening and characterization in shake flask and microtiter plates - Comfortable operating independently in a fast-paced startup research environment Required Skills: - Plasmid construction using modern molecular biology techniques (e.g., Golden Gate assembly, HiFi assembly) - Sequencing analysis using state-of-the-art NGS technologies and software - Plasmid DNA preparation (mini-preps, maxi-preps) - Preparation of competent cells for transformation of microbial strains - PCR for substrate preparation and genotyping of candidate strains - Agarose gel electrophoresis, nucleic acid quantification, and sample preparation for functional assays - Screening and characterization of microbial strains in shake flask and microtiter plates - Tracking strain performance metrics including biomass production, functional assay readouts, and product formation - Generating and maintaining microbial cell banks and inventory records - Preparing media for strain-building campaigns - Routine laboratory maintenance, equipment upkeep, and troubleshooting - Maintaining accurate and well-organized experimental records and documentation Qualifications: - Highly motivated, hands-on, and technically rigorous - Strong practical experience with DNA assembly strategies, microbial culture techniques, and laboratory operations - Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with discovery and bioprocess development teams - Commitment to safe laboratory operations and a strong culture of safety and operational rigor Compensation: Not specified Interested candidates, please apply directly through the job posting on company's career page or try via AI auto apply on this platform. Don’t miss this opportunity to join a forward-thinking team!