Scientist, Assay Development; NGS

Who We Are

Cultivarium builds scientific tools that turn biological discovery into real-world capability. As a Frontier Research Contractor, we provide technical solutions and hands-on support to partners working on the problems of today. Born a Focused Research Organization, we are drawn to the hardest technological problems in biology and built to tackle them with intensity. We prize builders who efficiently leverage resources to deliver tangible solutions at the frontier, for outsized societal benefit.

Our ambition is to study and engineer non-model organisms across the entire tree of life.

The organisms we work with at Cultivarium sit, by definition, outside the comfort zone of most biology labs. We're looking for an experienced scientist who will develop and deploy novel assays, including sequencing-based workflows, for non-model organisms. A successful candidate brings deep technical mastery of assay development for complex and/or unconventional sample inputs, and works alongside scientists, engineers, and computational biologists to measure biological phenomena.

You bring extensive hands-on expertise, the patience to work through unexpected hurdles, and the creativity to propose disruptive solutions. This is an in-person role at either our Watertown, MA USA or London, UK location.

• Design and execute assays, including NGS-based workflows, end to end: nucleic acid isolation, library prep, and sequencing on Illumina and Oxford Nanopore, and develop novel methods for genetic analysis of genomes, transcriptomes, epigenomes, and proteomes in non-model organisms (bacteria, yeast, fungi, viruses, and beyond).
• Hold the line on sequencing quality and throughput with rigorous in-house QC, staying current with industry best practices.
• Perform and troubleshoot experiments across organisms: culturing, DNA delivery, and genome engineering in partnering with organismal biologists and molecular biologists to validate assays.
• Write protocols and SOPs, and present data and results to the team, leadership, and at scientific meetings.
• Assess, set up, and maintain the instrumentation and reagents the work depends on.
• Bring high agency and high standards: take ownership, give and receive candid feedback, and push the team to be its best in service of the science.

• You believe that seeing is believing, and that seeing clearly in biology takes the willingness to invent new assays.
• Authorized to work without sponsorship.
• MS or PhD in molecular biology, synthetic biology, or a related field, or equivalent experience and track record.
• Deep hands-on NGS expertise: independently executing Illumina and Oxford Nanopore workflows and nucleic acid manipulation from microbial and/or eukaryotic sources, including low-input/single-cell/metagenomic library prep from recalcitrant or low-biomass samples, custom or modified library chemistries, and Hi-C or other structural readouts.
• Strong molecular biology fundamentals: ligation, PCR, and other enzymatic nucleic acid manipulations; sterile technique; metabolic and/or molecular assay development; and comfort with high-throughput screening and lab automation.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, reasoning from first principles, with meticulous record-keeping.
• An excellent communicator and collaborator who reaches experts outside your field and thrives in a fast-paced, shifting environment.

• Proficiency with screening methods such as microfluidics, droplet generation, FACS-Seq, pooled barcoded-library screening, and CRISPR screening.
• Experience designing and implementing automated assays (e.g. programming liquid handlers to execute NGS prep workflows).

• An opportunity to refine your craft in service of science and society.

• Paid time off, company holidays, and a year-end closure
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with employer match

• Annual leave, plus bank holidays, and a year-end closure
• Private medical insurance
• Employer pension contribution, with optional salary sacrifice

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 basis protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws or prohibited by Company policy.

We strive for a healthy and safe workplace and strictly prohibit harassment of any kind