What are the responsibilities and job description for the Scientist II position at Solugen?
Solugen
14549 Minetta St., Houston TX 77035
Position
Scientist II
About Solugen
Solugen is a groundbreaking technology company on a bold mission to decarbonize the physical world. At the heart of our innovation is the world’s first sustainable molecule factory—the Bioforge. This unique manufacturing platform uses a chemienzymatic process to convert plant-derived substances into essential materials that have historically been made from fossil fuels—all with minimal emissions and no hazardous waste. A highly scalable and localized alternative to conventional approaches, the Bioforge enables us to produce a range of high-performance, cost-competitive, and sustainable solutions to meet the diverse needs of our customers.
The Role
Solugen is seeking a highly motivated and innovative Scientist II to join our dynamic R&D team. The successful candidate will spearhead and execute pivotal projects, while playing a key role in advancing our chemical product pipeline. This position demands a strong foundation in molecular biology, enzymology, and anaerobic bacteriology, coupled with exceptional problem-solving abilities and a collaborative spirit. The ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment is essential, and some travel may be required.
Key Outcomes
Job Specific
Anaerobic Culture Techniques
Bachelor’s or Masters in Biology, or related field with high-quality research output in the field of microbiology. Minimum 1 year of industry experience.
To ensure compliance with U.S. export control laws and regulations, candidate must be a ‘U.S. Person,’ which is defined as a U.S. citizen, a U.S. permanent resident, or a person granted asylum or refugee status in the U.S. or have the ability to obtain an export authorization.
Solugen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status.
14549 Minetta St., Houston TX 77035
Position
Scientist II
About Solugen
Solugen is a groundbreaking technology company on a bold mission to decarbonize the physical world. At the heart of our innovation is the world’s first sustainable molecule factory—the Bioforge. This unique manufacturing platform uses a chemienzymatic process to convert plant-derived substances into essential materials that have historically been made from fossil fuels—all with minimal emissions and no hazardous waste. A highly scalable and localized alternative to conventional approaches, the Bioforge enables us to produce a range of high-performance, cost-competitive, and sustainable solutions to meet the diverse needs of our customers.
The Role
Solugen is seeking a highly motivated and innovative Scientist II to join our dynamic R&D team. The successful candidate will spearhead and execute pivotal projects, while playing a key role in advancing our chemical product pipeline. This position demands a strong foundation in molecular biology, enzymology, and anaerobic bacteriology, coupled with exceptional problem-solving abilities and a collaborative spirit. The ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment is essential, and some travel may be required.
Key Outcomes
- Within one month of starting, become familiar with the laboratory and workflow and begin collecting data by running experiments according to established plans and procedures.
- Within three months, demonstrate the ability to work independently by designing, executing, and presenting data from original experiments in the field of microbiology.
- Provide vital support to the team by assisting with the scale-up and purification of key molecules.
Job Specific
Anaerobic Culture Techniques
- Expertise in cultivating and maintaining anaerobic bacteria using anaerobic chambers, jars, or specialized media.
- Knowledge of redox indicators and reducing agents.
- Familiarity with standard methods (e.g., ATP, bug bottles) for assessing the effectiveness of biocides.
- Ability to conduct Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC), and time-kill assays.
- Strong proficiency in preventing contamination, especially important when handling strict anaerobes.
- Use of biochemical assays, microscopy, and molecular tools (e.g., PCR, 16S rRNA sequencing) for identifying bacterial species.
- CFU counting, optical density (OD600) measurements..
- Experience with biofilm models and biocide penetration assessments.
- Understanding the chemical nature of biocides and their interactions with biological systems.
- Competency in statistical analysis of experimental data using software (e.g., GraphPad Prism, R, or Python).
- In-depth knowledge of anaerobic metabolism, resistance mechanisms, and potential pathogenic traits.
- Adherence to biosafety levels (BSL-2) and chemical safety guidelines.
- Ability to troubleshoot culture conditions or anomalous test results.
- Especially crucial when working with fastidious organisms or when quantifying antimicrobial activity.
- Accurate lab notebook management, clear report writing, and scientific communication.
- Working effectively in multidisciplinary teams (e.g., microbiologists, chemists, regulatory experts).
- Planning experiments, managing timelines, and meeting deliverables in research or industrial settings.
- Inquisitive and Insightful: Proactively seeks knowledge and applies it to enhance work quality.
- Adaptable and Agile: Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment and embraces change and ambiguity.
- Organized and Self-Directed: Demonstrates initiative and effectively manages priorities and workload with minimal supervision.
- Flexible and Versatile: Readily adapts to evolving responsibilities and diverse tasks.
- Safety-Conscious: Maintains a vigilant focus on safety protocols and procedures.
- Respectful and Collaborative: Values diverse perspectives and fosters a positive and inclusive team environment.
- Creative and Solutions-Oriented: Applies innovative thinking to overcome challenges and achieve objectives.
- Open to Learning: Eager to expand knowledge and explore new scientific and engineering concepts.
Bachelor’s or Masters in Biology, or related field with high-quality research output in the field of microbiology. Minimum 1 year of industry experience.
To ensure compliance with U.S. export control laws and regulations, candidate must be a ‘U.S. Person,’ which is defined as a U.S. citizen, a U.S. permanent resident, or a person granted asylum or refugee status in the U.S. or have the ability to obtain an export authorization.
Solugen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status.
