About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Scientific & QA.

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

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What You’ll Do

This opportunity supports engineering and characterization of light-responsive RNA/DNA polymerase systems in a hands-on lab role. You will build and run the experimental pipeline needed to deliver sponsor-facing milestones and publications in optogenetic polymerase control, sequence-programmed RNA synthesis, and related protein-sensor technologies. Primary responsibilities include:

• Molecular cloning and construct generation — ~25%
  • Design and build plasmids for engineered T7 polymerases, optogenetic domains, protein binders, reporters, and assay controls using PCR, Gibson/Golden Gate assembly, mutagenesis, bacterial transformation, and sequence verification.
• Protein expression, purification, and QC — ~20%
  • Express and purify polymerases, binders, and optogenetic protein components (primarily bacterial expression) using affinity chromatography/FPLC workflows and standard QC (SDS-PAGE, concentration assessment, storage).
• In vitro functional assay development and execution — ~25%
  • Develop and run cell-free transcription and polymerase assays (time-course transcription, one-/few-base incorporation assays, and tests using modified nucleotides such as fluorescently labeled or biotinylated bases).
• Optogenetic characterization and readout integration — ~15%
  • Perform light-control experiments and optical measurements (plate-reader/fluorescence) to evaluate gating behavior, kinetics, and construct function under illumination conditions.
• Sequencing sample preparation and data/QC handoff — ~10%
  • Prepare samples for sequencing-based readouts, organize sample metadata, and maintain experimental records to support downstream analysis and sponsor reporting.
• Project support, documentation, and collaboration — ~5%
  • Maintain SOPs, reagent inventories, experimental documentation, prepare figures/tables for meetings/reports, and coordinate daily bench workflows with the PI, trainees, and collaborators.

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Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, Chemical Biology, or a related field, plus at least one year of relevant laboratory research experience. Equivalent education/experience may substitute where legally permitted.
• Hands-on experience in molecular cloning workflows: PCR, Gibson/Golden Gate assembly, mutagenesis, transformation, plasmid prep, and sequence verification.
• Experience with protein production workflows: bacterial expression, affinity purification, chromatography/FPLC, and protein QC (e.g., SDS-PAGE).
• Experience with biochemical/enzyme assays and fluorescence-based readouts.

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Preferred / Desired Qualifications

• Experience with cell-free transcription or nucleic-acid enzyme assays.
• Experience using modified nucleotides (fluorescent, biotinylated, or chemically functionalized substrates).
• Familiarity with optogenetic proteins, light-controlled assays, photochemistry, or fluorescence instrumentation.
• Sequencing library preparation or sample-prep familiarity for assay readouts.
• Experience with protein binders, display/selection methods, or protein-sensor engineering.
• Basic computational comfort for organizing data, plotting results, and using common lab analysis tools.
• Strong experimental record-keeping, sample tracking, SOP development, and clear communication skills for collaboration and reporting.
• Research assistantships/internships with strong hands-on lab experience are acceptable.

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Compensation & Benefits

• Pay range: $56,448 — $58,008 per year.
• Employment type: Full-time, regular position; FTE 100%.
• Shift: First Shift.
• Union / Bargaining Unit: UAW Research (per client listing).
• Benefits: See the client’s benefits page for details (link provided by the hiring client).
  • Note: The posted pay range is provided to comply with applicable state pay transparency requirements.

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Visa Eligibility & Work Authorization

• This position is eligible for H‑1B sponsorship. Applicants should ensure they meet any other relevant visa or work-authorization requirements prior to hire.

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Additional Information

• This role supports projects in protein engineering, synthetic biology, and biochemical tool development with emphasis on optogenetically controlled polymerases and programmable nucleic-acid writing.
• The employer requires disclosure of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at current or past employment, as required by Washington state law.
• Candidates will be expected to maintain careful experimental documentation and sample tracking to meet sponsor and publication standards.

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Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

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