Research Associate

Activate; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Concerto Biosciences is seeking a Research Associate to join its R&D team in the Cambridge/Boston area. You will collect microbes, design and perform microbiology experiments, and support high-throughput screening using the kChip platform. Strong documentation and teamwork are essential.

Lab experience is required while ongoing growth and skill development are supported. On-site work in Cambridge, MA, with opportunities to advance in a fast-paced startup environment.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, or related field.
• Experience in a microbiology or biology-adjacent lab (can be concurrent with degree).
• Experience with foundational biology techniques (pipetting, handling chemicals, waste management).
• Experience with microbiology (growth assays) and/or molecular biology techniques (PCR, cloning).
• Strong teamwork and independent work capability.
• Excellent written and oral communication and data documentation.

Responsibilities

• Support expansion of biobanks by isolating and characterizing microbes from samples.
• Conduct microbiology experiments including growth assays and microscopy.
• Perform DNA/RNA extraction and qPCR.
• Assist with high-throughput screening using kChip technology.
• Maintain meticulous notes and data in the LIMS system.
• Order supplies and help with lab organization.
• Collaborate with product development on fermentation and manufacturing tasks.

Skills

Biology lab skills

Molecular biology

Pipetting & liquid handling

Data documentation

Team collaboration

Oral/written communication

Education

BS in Biology or related field

Tools

LIMS experience

PCR

qPCR

Job description

Explore jobs at Activate and our cohort companies.

Employment status: Potential for contract position (est. 40 hours per week) or Full-Time

Concerto Biosciences pioneers science-first human health products powered by the most comprehensive and accurate map of the microbial world ever achieved. Enabled by our MIT-developed combinatorial screening platform kChip , our map incorporates 50+ million experimental measurements of microbial community behavior. These data train our proprietary AI, kAI , to expand the map further still. From this unique vista, hundreds of robust, synergistic, and multifunctional microbe-based ingredient hits stand out in plain view. The first was ENS-002, a three-strain biotherapeutic that successfully completed Phase 1 clinical testing for atopic dermatitis. We’re now unleashing the full might of our platform and data in consumer skin, vaginal health, and nutrition. Our R&D rigor and our proprietary ingredients pipeline fuels strategic partnerships with global leaders and innovative brands across categories, bringing our discoveries to consumers worldwide.

We believe the best human communities, much like microbial communities, are diverse—composed of individuals with different backgrounds, cultures, genders, and beliefs. We are committed to building a company where you belong and where your voice is heard.

Role Description

We invite you to join our R&D team as a Research Associate and accelerate our goal to discover microbial and microbe-based products. Characteristic responsibilities include: Collecting and cataloging microbes from natural communities, designing and performing molecular biology and microbiology experiments to support advancement of microbial, prebiotic, and postbiotic product candidates, supporting day-to-day laboratory logistics and organization, and assisting with high-throughput screening using Concerto’s novel technology (“kChip”: to learn more, see the links to recent publications provided below). You’ll need to be meticulous with your lab work and documentation, highly communicative, and able to work closely with a team of other scientists as well as the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO).

While lab experience is required, we don’t expect you to have experience performing all of the responsibilities listed below. Indeed, just as you help Concerto grow, we hope to contribute to your intellectual and professional growth as a scientist. You’ll have the opportunity to gain new skills by working with our world-class team, and you’ll also have the opportunity to advance within the company by taking on higher responsibility roles.

Responsibilities

• Support the expansion of our biobanks by isolating, culturing, and characterizing microbes from a variety of sample types following standardized protocols
• Perform microbiology experiments, including characterizing microbes in the biobank using techniques such as outgrowth in microtiter plates, fluorescence-based assays, and microscopy
• Use basic molecular biology techniques such as DNA/RNA extraction and qPCR
• Support general laboratory operations by taking on tasks such as routine media preparation, in-house kChip fabrication (bespoke training to take place upon joining), and maintenance of a highly organized lab (in collaboration with an operational technician and other scientists)
• Assist with high-throughput biology using our experimental screening platform kChip
• Potential to assist the product development team with microbial fermentation and manufacturing work as needed
• Maintain meticulous records, including documenting experimental procedures and data using our LIMS system and contributing to the development of new protocols
• Order and maintain stocks of reagents and supplies
• Ship packages and communicate with collaborators
• Contribute to individual and team success; frequently give and receive feedback to and from the team
• Consult colleagues and the scientific literature, as needed, to develop professional expertise and support ongoing and future projects
• A B.S. in Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, and/or other related field
• Experience in a microbiology or biology-adjacent related research lab (can be concurrent with degree)
• Experience with foundational biology lab techniques (e.g. pipetting/liquid handling, safely handling chemicals/reagents, waste management)
• Experience with microbiology (e.g. growth assays) and/or molecular biology techniques (e.g. PCR, cloning)
• Demonstrated ability to work excellently in teams, as well as independently
• Demonstrated ability to closely follow standardized methods and protocols
• Outstanding oral and written communication, data documentation, and organizational skills
• Ability to work on site at Concerto’s laboratory in the Cambridge/Boston, MA area
• Energized by a rapidly changing environment and excited to adapt research plans accordingly
• Passion for science, discovery, and/or human health and an eagerness to learn

Preferred Qualifications

• ≥1 year of full-time experience in a laboratory, and ideally within a fast-paced start-up environment
• Experience with isolation of bacterial strains from environmental samples
• Experience working with a diversity of microorganisms, including anaerobes
• Familiarity with cGMP laboratory practices