Research Associate, Fungal Microbiology
Watertown, MA
Cultivarium – Cultivarium /
Full Time /
On-site
Cultivarium is a focused research organization with a mission to accelerate the adoption of new organisms for biotechnology. We are looking for experts who can contribute both individually and as part of a team to create tangible solutions for a ‘moonshot’ project. You will be part of a close-knit, driven team of scientists and engineers that are building technological infrastructure for the cultivation of non-model microorganisms, to open new avenues for science, technology, medicine, and agriculture.
We are looking for a fungal microbiologist to help characterize non-model organisms through culturing and high-throughput screening. The successful candidate has experience in culturing filamentous fungi and is comfortable performing hands-on wet lab experimentation with a variety of microbes. You will work closely with scientists, molecular biologists and automation engineers in a dynamic research environment.
Responsibilities
- Perform hands-on microbial culturing and characterization experiments with a focus on diverse fungi.
- Develop protocols and reagents for culturing fungal species in diverse growth modalities (plates, flasks, solid media) with and without automation.
- Procure, prepare, sterilize and maintain growth media, reagents, and other materials.
- Set up, operate, and maintain microbial laboratory instrumentation (incubators, shakers, plate readers).
- Handling and storing fungal and bacterial sample collections with comprehensive labeling and tracking.
- Maintain high standards of reproducible and rigorous science, with meticulous documentation.
- Report and analyze data daily in a highly organized manner.
- Present data to the team.
- Write protocols and SOPs for manual and automated experiments.
- Communicate with direct supervisor regularly.
- Any additional tasks assigned by the team lead.
- Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness through actions, interactions, and communications with others.
Basic Qualifications
- Passion for breaking barriers in microbiology.
- Authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.BS/MS in biology, microbiology, molecular biology, environmental biology or related fields is required.
- 2+ years of hands-on research experience in academia or industry with a focus on fungal microbiology is required.
- Demonstrated proficiency in microbiology and sterile techniques (preparation of media, glycerol stocks and reagent stocks, sterilization, cell culture, serial dilutions, plating, CFU quantification, streaking, growth curves).
- Experience with diverse culture methods for fungi.
- Familiarity with analysis and troubleshooting of fungal growth.
- Comfortable with using and learning lab automation tools.
- Ability to ensure quality experimental design (replicates, positive and negative controls) and follow protocols.
- Creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Meticulous record-keeping and highly organized with attention to detail.
- Ability to set priorities and meet deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team environment.
- Strong quantitative and analytical skills, a proclivity for reasoning from first principles.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, ability to adapt to changing projects and goals.
- Proficiency in staying up to date with new technologies/literature related to the field.
- Effective communicator.
Advanced Qualifications
- Experience with liquid or solid-state fermentation at any scale.
- Experience with applying molecular techniques to fungal species.
- Experience with anaerobic cultivation.
- Experience with high-throughput laboratory automation.
- Proficiency with design of experiments (D.O.E) for process optimization.
We are bringing together top talent from academia, industry, and startups to build a new model for innovative R&D. We identify high-impact scientific or technical research and development opportunities, ultimately defining and launching these projects as Focused Research Organizations.
We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that proudly pursues and hires a diverse workforce. We do not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion or religious belief, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender-identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal law or company policy. We strive for a healthy and safe workplace and strictly prohibit harassment of any kind.
