Research Associate, Strain Creation and Fermentation
Sunflower Therapeutics PBC
Medford, MA | Full-time
Start Date: July 2023
Position overview.Sunflower Therapeutics is currently recruiting a motivated and highly organized individual to support its mission to deliver protein manufacturing solutions that anyone can use for creating innovative new medicines, food products, and other bio-based products. Sunflower is advancing “right-sized” and efficient approaches to democratize protein manufacturing using strain engineering, integrated process development, and automated small footprint facilities. Reporting to the Director of Research and Development, the Strain Creation and Fermentation Research Associate will be responsible for designing, creating, and testing yeast strains expressing recombinant proteins. This individual will engage in research activities to support the development of processes for benchtop and pilot scale manufacturing platforms, including but not limited to: molecular cloning, strain development and characterization, fermentation, and protein characterization. As Sunflower grows, the Strain Creation Research Associate will contribute to the continuous improvement of Sunflower’s strain development capabilities to enable the rapid and extensive evaluation of expressibility and manufacturability for new protein products in yeast.
Responsibilities
- Designs and creates yeast strains expressing recombinant proteins using state-of-the-art cloning and gene editing techniques
- Characterizes new strains by PCR and Sanger sequencing
- Develops suitable cultivation/fermentation conditions (including cultivation
media) and assays for screening the performance of new yeast strains - Designs and conducts yeast cultivations across multiple volumetric scales
including plates, shake flasks and bioreactors - Analyzes protein expression using techniques such as SDS-PAGE, Western blot,
and/or ELISA - Troubleshoots and optimizes strain performance
- Maintains laboratory equipment, space, and supplies related to strain
engineering and fermentation - Designs, implements and maintains standard operating procedures and data
records related to strain engineering and fermentation - Communicates experimental planning and results with both internal and external stakeholders
- Champions innovation and drives implementation thereof to reduce the time and cost to develop processes for the manufacturing of proteins for patients and consumers around the world
- Supports writing of reporting documents, technical documents, and any other necessary documentation
Desired Qualifications
We believe the experience and capabilities outlined below will lead to success in this position. We recognize, however, that our mission to enable more proteins to reach patients and consumers worldwide is a significant challenge and will require innovative solutions. As such, we welcome all arguments for how the diversity of your training can help us reach this mission.
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant scientific discipline (biology, engineering, chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology)
- 1-2 years of relevant experience in academic and/or industrial lab setting (including lab courses, internships or co-ops)Aligned with Sunflower’s mission and valuesPrior experience in microbial cultivation (yeast or E. coli) and sterile technique
- Knowledge of protein analytical techniques (such as SDS-PAGE, Western blot,
dot blot, ELISA) preferred - Strong analytical and organizational skills, including meticulous attention to
detail and multi-tasking capabilities - Enthusiastic, collaborative, and proactive attitude
- Excellent verbal and written interpersonal communication skills
- Ability to easily adapt to rapidly changing company and program needs
- Focused on continued skill building and career development