What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Associate, Synthetic Biology - Valent BioSciences LLC position at Sumitomo Chemical Group Companies of America?
About Us:
Valent BioSciences LLC is a worldwide leader in the research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of biorational products for the agriculture, public health, and forestry markets. We have more than 60 years of experience bringing biorational products to market, and our products are used in sustainable operations in 95 countries around the world. Biorational products maximize plant quality, productivity, and sustainability.
As a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical, Valent BioSciences LLC operates with the Sumitomo Spirit mindset, which means to benefit both self and others, recognizing that private and public interests are one and the same. It’s about contributing to society, as well as making a profit.
Description of Job: This individual will join VBS’s Synthetic Biology department and contribute to internal metabolic engineering efforts, especially in the field of molecular biology. This individual will work alongside senior laboratory scientists to design, build, and apply molecular biology tools to serve current and future strain engineering programs in a variety of host microbial organisms, including prokaryotes and eukaryotes. This position will report to a Sr. Research Scientist in Synthetic Biology.
Principal Responsibilities:
- Coordinate and conduct all work in strict compliance with applicable safety requirements, containment requirements, standard operating practices, and/or guidelines.
- Synthetic Biology –
- Design, build, and apply in-house molecular tools to facilitate engineering model and non-model organisms including bacteria, yeast, and fungi.
- Molecular cloning of replicative and integrative vectors for utility in downstream strain engineering.
- General molecular biology procedures including DNA and RNA isolation and purification, next generation and sanger sequencing, PCR, RT-PCR, ligation, assembly, transformation and conjugation.
- Cultivation of model and non-model organisms including bacteria, yeast, and fungi
- Preparation of solid and liquid media, buffers and reagents to support synthetic biology workflows.
- Maintenance of the laboratory including general housekeeping functions, ordering of supplies and equipment upkeep.
- Accurate record keeping of experimental work for the development of SOPs and maintenance of electronic laboratory notebook.
Required skills/experience:
- Passion for the expanding field of synthetic biology, especially as it relates to the development of novel products and sustainable solutions.
- Experienced in the use of modern molecular gene editing and assembly tools.
- Experience in microbial cultivation and genetic manipulation of E. coli and other hosts.
- Candidates with experience in one of the following: manipulation of Streptomyces, bioinformatics, or workflow automation would be preferred.
- Software experience with DNA design tools, such as Geneious and Snapgene.
- Works well in teams, especially with synthetic biology group members but also across other research department functions.
- Strong communication, presentation and listening skills.
- Must be a self-starter with good organizational skills.
- Will foster a culture of diversity and inclusion.
Education: BS/MS in Synthetic Biology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, or Biochemistry with 1-2 years of molecular cloning experience in an academic or industrial environment.
Travel: Limited travel will be required. (<5%)
What We Offer
We recognize that compensation and benefits play a crucial role in your career decisions. That’s why we’re dedicated to equitable pay practices and transparency in how we reward our employees.
Base hourly rate: The estimated hourly rate for this position ranges from:
$27.47 to $35.64. Individual pay is based upon location, skills, experience, and other relevant factors.
Incentives: All full-time employees are eligible for an incentive program or profit-sharing program in addition to their base salary.
Benefits:
• High-quality healthcare coverage starting on day one, with options for medical (HSA/HRA), vision, and dental plans
• 5% company contribution to your 401(k), plus a quarterly discretionary bonus
• Immediate 100% vesting of all retirement contributions
• Financial assistance programs to support your goals
• Life and disability insurance for added security
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and volunteer days
• Flexible work arrangements available
Our Commitment to a Sustainable Future
At Valent Group of Companies, we’re proud to power a sustainable future through our work. Sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) have been at the core of our culture since the beginning. Today, they continue to drive everything we do.
Join us in making a meaningful impact and contributing to a better world.
• Valent U.S.A., Valent North America LLC, Valent BioSciences LLC and Mycorrhizal Applications LLC are an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation and/or identity, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, disabilities, or protected veteran status.
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Salary : $27 - $36
