Research Associate - Systems Biology & Phage Therapy; Silas Lab

Position: Research Associate - Systems Biology & Phage Therapy (Silas Lab)
## Research Associate - Systems Biology & Phage Therapy (Silas Lab)
Apply locations:
San Francisco time type:
Full time posted on:
Posted Yesterday job requisition :
REQ-3800##
** Category:
** Science##
** Lab/Area:
** Silas Lab## ##
*
* Description:

**** Who We Are
** The Gladstone Institutes is a distinguished independent, not-for-profit research institution dedicated to advancing human health through cutting-edge medical research and education. Our work spans neuroscience, cardiovascular biology, immunology, and stem cell biology, with a focus on overcoming disease. With a team of approximately 600 members, including renowned leaders in science and biomedicine, Gladstone operates across five institutes, alongside various centers and programs.

Located at the Mission Bay Campus in an award-winning building, Gladstone offers competitive salaries and benefits, providing an optimal environment for individuals to realize their full potential and make a meaningful impact on global health.
** About the Role
** The Gladstone-UCSF Infectious Disease Institute is seeking a highly motivated Research Associate (RA) to lead a groundbreaking project focused on massively parallel functional genomics and high-throughput screening of bacteriophage genes. This position offers the unique opportunity to work directly with Principal Investigator (Sukrit Silas) in advancing the lab’s core mission—deploying an innovative screening platform across diverse bacterial species. The RA will take a leadership role in constructing complex libraries of tens of thousands of phage genes and conducting functional genomics experiments that measure genetic interactions between phages and bacteria on an unprecedented scale.

Our institute is at the forefront of applying systems biology approaches to fundamental questions in phage biology. Through these novel technical capabilities, we are systematically mapping the antiviral immune architecture of bacteria to identify critical defensive barriers. This knowledge will drive the development of rationally engineered phage therapies to combat the escalating threat of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Potential research projects will explore applications in:
* Neutralizing ESKAPE pathogens
* Developing phage therapeutics for antibiotic-resistant UTIs
* Exploring antibacterial prophylaxis strategies for high-risk surgical procedures
** What You Will Do
** The RA will collaborate closely with the PI (Sukrit Silas) and contribute to high-impact research, with the potential to publish one or more papers within a two-year period. This role is particularly well-suited for individuals considering graduate, medical, or dental  this role, the RA will process large numbers of samples in parallel, prioritizing efficiency alongside thorough sample handling and record-keeping.

As such, this position requires exceptional organizational skills and personal initiative.

Your primary role will be developing and optimizing high-throughput phage-host screening protocols using a broad range of molecular biology techniques, such as:
* High-efficiency electroporation and transformation of bacteria for library construction
* Restriction enzyme cloning, Gibson Assembly, Golden Gate Assembly
* PCR and gel electrophoresis of various molecules such as nucleic acids, glycoproteins, and lipopolysaccharides
* DNA/RNA purification and NGS sample preparation
* Whole genome transposon mutagenesis

Additional responsibilities include:

* Maintaining rigorous sample tracking and organization across numerous parallel workflows
* Leading and meticulously documenting complex projects using Benchling
* Assisting with research planning, including primer and vector design, experimental execution, analysis, troubleshooting, and data interpretation
* Maintaining detailed experimental records and presenting findings at regular team meetings
* Managing general laboratory operations, including reagent procurement, inventory organization, and compliance with safety regulations
** What You Will Need
*** Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) in Cell and Molecular Biology or a related field, with at least one year of hands-on research laboratory experience (preferred)
* Strong…