Senior Research Associate - Sumitomo Biorational LLC

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Regular Full Time Libertyville, IL, US

4 days ago Requisition

Salary Range: $73,000.00 To $91,500.00 Annually

Sumitomo Biorational Company 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.

We operate 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.

This individual will join Sumitomo Biorational Company’s Synthetic Biology department and contribute to internal metabolic engineering efforts in a variety of host microbial organisms, including prokaryotes and eukaryotes. This position will report to a Sr. Bioinformaticist in Synthetic Biology.

• Coordinate and conduct all work in strict compliance with applicable safety requirements, containment requirements, standard operating practices, and/or guidelines.
• Assist in the design, build, screen/test, and cultivation of model and non-model organisms including bacteria, yeast, and fungi.
• Perform routine strain engineering workflows and general molecular biology procedures, including DNA and RNA isolation and purification, PCR, sequencing, ligation, assembly, chemical and electrical transformations, and conjugation.
• Development of high-throughput assays, including the design and implementation of plate-based growth assays using Agilent Bio Tek instruments.
• Perform batch fermentations in either microtiter plates or flasks and prepare samples for submission for downstream organic extraction.
• Support team members by preparing specific solid and liquid media, buffers and reagents to support synthetic biology workflows. Assist with QC and data collection as requested.
• Accurate and well-organized record keeping of all experimental work for the development of SOPs and maintenance of an electronic laboratory notebook.
• Prepare comprehensive slide presentations summarizing key points and results, effectively communicate findings to a larger audience as needed.
• Maintenance of the laboratory including general housekeeping functions, inventory maintenance and organization, and equipment upkeep.
• Assist in the onboarding of research technicians by overseeing training of general lab operations and molecular biology procedures, organizing a clear training schedule and coordinating with other lab members as needed.
• Assist Regulatory permit submissions for the BRC.
• Assist USDA guideline training for all BRC members.

• Passion for the expanding field of synthetic biology, especially as it relates to the development of novel products and sustainable solutions.
• Experience in microbial cultivation of
  
  E. coli and other hosts.
• Candidates with experience in one of the following: gram positive bacteria, automation tools or procedures, high-throughput assay or workflow, processing and/or analyzing Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) data would be preferred.
• Biotechnology software experience, such as Geneious and Snapgene is a plus.
• Works well in teams, especially with synthetic biology and microbiology group members but also across other research department functions.
• Strong communication, presentation and listening skills.
• Must be a self-starter with good organizational skills and detail-oriented.
• Will foster a culture of diversity and inclusion.

• BS/MS in Biology, Synthetic Biology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, or Biochemistry with 2-5 years of relevant experience in a research environment.

Limited travel will be required. (