Lead, E. coli Expression Systems & Strain Engineering

BioSpace; Norwood (MA); Hybrid; USD 143,000 - 257,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Well-being resources

Family planning benefits

Paid time off

Investment opportunities

Location-specific perks

Job summary

Moderna seeks an experienced leader to direct host strain, vector, and expression-system strategy for E. coli-based production of recombinant enzymes and plasmids.

You will design screening cascades and define decision criteria for host/vector selection, expression tuning, and manufacturability. You will develop small-scale and high-throughput workflows, evaluate promoters, copy number, and induction strategies, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate screening data into

Qualifications

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Synthetic Biology, or related with 5+ years in industry; or MS with 10+ years; or BS with 12+ years.
• Substantial industry experience with E. coli strain engineering, vector design, expression-system development, or microbial production screening.
• Hands-on experience in microbial expression-screening workflows for recombinant proteins, enzymes, plasmids, or related products.
• Strong understanding of E. coli genetics, physiology, metabolism, plasmid biology, expression regulation, and genetic stability.
• Experience connecting host/vector/expression choices to titer, yield, quality, robustness, and manufacturability.
• Experience with small-scale or high-throughput screening systems and translating screening data into process-development decisions.
• Proven ability to lead complex projects, influence cross-functional stakeholders, and communicate clearly via writing, data analysis, and presentations.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy for E. coli host strain, vector, and expression-system for recombinant enzymes and plasmids.
• Design and execute screening cascades to identify production candidates with strong titer, yield, quality, and manufacturability.
• Define criteria for host/vector selection, expression tuning, induction strategy, plasmid stability, and growth.
• Develop small-scale and high-throughput screening workflows (shake flasks, deep-well plates, Ambr) as appropriate.
• Evaluate host strains, promoters, RBS, copy number, plasmid architecture, induction systems, and design strategies.
• Use DOE and data-driven approaches to improve screening throughput, predictiveness, and translation to bioreactor performance.
• Lead or support strain and vector engineering to enhance expression performance and robustness.
• Troubleshoot expression issues related to instability, toxicity, or metabolic burden.

Skills

E. coli engineering

Vector design

Expression-system development

Microbial genetics

Screening workflows

Data-driven decisions

Molecular biology

Process development

Education

PhD in Molecular Biology or related field

MS in related field

BS with extensive industry experience

Tools

DOE

High-throughput screening

Shake flask systems

Job description

Moderna seeks an experienced leader to direct host strain, vector, and expression-system strategy for E. coli-based production of recombinant enzymes and plasmids.

You will design screening cascades and define decision criteria for host/vector selection, expression tuning, and manufacturability. You will develop small-scale and high-throughput workflows, evaluate promoters, copy number, and induction strategies, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate screening data into