Hiring: Senior Research Associate, Strain Engineering Company: Flagship Pioneering Location: Cambridge, MA Job Posted Time: 2026-09-11 17:58:09 Employment Type: Full-time Target Skills & Keywords: Strain Engineering, Microbial Strain Engineering, Recombinant Protein Production, Genetic Engineering, DNA Assembly, Golden Gate Assembly, HiFi Assembly, Plasmid Construction, NGS, Molecular Biology, PCR, Genotyping, Competent Cells, Transformation, Shake Flask, Microtiter Plates, Cell Banks, Media Preparation, Laboratory Operations Experience: - Highly hands-on, technically rigorous, and comfortable operating independently in a dynamic research setting - Strong practical experience with DNA assembly strategies, microbial culture techniques, and laboratory operations - Prior experience in genetic engineering of microbial strains, ideally in a fast-paced startup 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 genetic engineering substrates 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 (biomass production, functional assay readouts, product formation) - Generating and maintaining microbial cell banks and inventory records - Media preparation for strain-building campaigns - Routine laboratory maintenance, equipment upkeep, and troubleshooting - Maintaining accurate and well-organized experimental records and documentation - Cross-functional collaboration with discovery and bioprocess development teams Qualifications: - Highly motivated Senior Research Associate - Strong hands-on molecular biology and microbiology bench skills - Ability to work independently and contribute to safe laboratory operations - Commitment to a strong culture of safety and operational rigor - Reporting to the Senior Scientist, Microbial Strain Engineering 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!