Are you a fungal biologist interested in genome editing, who also might want to work for a rad non-profit in Boston? Funded at least till 2027, and you will publish/share results and have scientific freedom.
Cultivarium is a Convergent Research 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. This is a great opportunity to be part of a close-knit, driven team of scientists and engineers that are building technological infrastructure for non-model microorganisms, to open new avenues for science, technology, medicine, and agriculture.
We are looking for an expert mycologist to develop platform technologies to culture and manipulate non-model organisms. You have experience in culturing various and/or a myriad of bacteria, fungi, or archaea. Your role will include hands-on wet lab experimentation with a variety of unexplored non-model organisms and you should have the expertise and patience to tackle unexpected hurdles. You will work closely with microbiologists, molecular biologists, automation engineers, and computational biologists to develop high-throughput cultivation, nucleic-acid transformation, and molecular methods.
Responsibilities
- Expand our culturing platform to be broadly applicable to diverse microorganisms, with a specific emphasis on fungi.
- Guide and develop our delivery and molecular platform with deep domain knowledge of fungal morphology, physiology, genetics, and metabolism.
- Leverage high-throughput technologies such as laboratory automation and next-generation sequencing to accelerate the domestication of non-model organisms.
- Write protocols and SOPs for manual and automated experiments.
- Engage with the wider research community to identify key obstacles to the domestication and utilization of non-model organisms.
- Produce open-access materials, data reports, and protocols to maximize the impact and reach of Cultivarium’s tools and resources.
- Maintain high standards of reproducible and rigorous science, with meticulous documentation.
- Prepare internal reports and manuscripts, and present results at internal or external scientific meetings as appropriate.
- Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness through actions, interactions, and communications with others.
Qualifications
- PhD in microbiology, mycology, molecular biology, biochemistry, synthetic biology, or a related field.
- Passion for impactful research aligned with the Cultivarium mission.
- Extensive hands-on expertise in filamentous fungi culture methodologies (aseptic technique, liquid and agar growth, sporulation, mating, etc).
- Extensive hands-on expertise in filamentous fungal genetics methodologies (selections, plasmids, promoters, DNA delivery, DNA extraction).
- Extensive experience in the development and implementation of advanced genetic tools such as genome editing, CRISPR systems, transposons and DNA assembly – with particular emphasis on the challenges associated with applying these tools in non-model organisms.
- Demonstrated capability to generate rigorous, high-quality scientific output.
- An appetite to break new ground and take on a complex, multi-faceted challenge.
- An ability to simultaneously consider both minute details and broader context to ensure impact.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
- Excellent record-keeping ability and attention to detail.
- Ability to ensure quality experimental design (replicates, positive and negative controls) and follow protocols.
- Comfortable with using and learning lab automation tools.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team environment.
- Strong quantitative and analytical skills, and a proclivity for reasoning from first principles.
- Creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to set priorities and meet deadlines.
- Ability to adapt to changing projects and goals.
- Proficiency to stay up to date with new technologies/literature related to the field.
Advanced Qualifications
- Direct experience working with eukaryotic organisms such as amoeba, algae, and/or protists.
- Experience with high-throughput screening and lab automation.
- Experience with oligonucleotide microarrays, next generation sequencing.
- Mentoring and supervising research staff.
We offer
- An opportunity to change the world and work with some of the smartest and the most talented experts from different fields
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance through a PPO plan; parental leave
- Generous time off + paid holidays
- Wellness allowance for fitness and wellness activities
Convergent Research aims to help fill a structural gap in today’s R&D system. We enable fundamental research that requires unusual levels of scale and coordination yet is not rapidly monetizable by industry. We’re bringing together top talent from academia, industry, and startups to build a new model for innovative R&D. As an incubator within the Schmidt Futures Network, we identify high-impact scientific or technical research and development opportunities, ultimately defining and launching these projects as Focused Research Organizations.
Convergent Research, LLC is 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.