Research Associate/Associate Scientist, Strain Engineering

Willow Biosciences Inc; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Willow Biosciences is seeking a motivated Research Associate or Associate Scientist to join their Strain Engineering team. The role focuses on metabolic engineering and involves strong molecular biology skills and experience with gene editing. You'll operate advanced lab automation for high-throughput workflows and collaborate in developing engineered strains for various applications.

Benefits

Competitive salary package

Generous PTO and company holidays

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

Life, disability, and retirement plans

Qualifications

• 1–3+ years of hands-on experience in an industrial research setting.
• Strong molecular biology and gene-editing skills.
• Familiarity with automation platforms.

Responsibilities

• Operate lab automation platforms for high-throughput workflows.
• Collaborate in designing and constructing genetic libraries.
• Perform molecular biology techniques for strain QC and validation.

Skills

Communication

Attention to Detail

Organizational Skills

Lab Safety Practices

Collaboration

Proactivity

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering

Tools

Electronic Lab Notebooks

Laboratory Information Management Systems

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Join our team:Willow Biosciences, now part of Mycofeast Ltd., is a leading biotechnology company focused on revolutionizing industrial manufacturing of pure, consistent and sustainable ingredients.Willow develops and produces high-purity ingredients for personal care, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical markets. Willow's team has a proven track record of developing and commercializing bio-based manufacturing processes and products to benefit our B2B partners and their customers.

Job title:Research Associate/Associate Scientist, Strain Engineering

Job Summary:We are looking for a highly motivated and detail-oriented Research Associate or Associate Scientist to join our Strain Engineering team. This role focuses on the metabolic engineering of biosynthetic pathways in microbial hosts, particularly Saccharomyces cerevisiae, E. coli, and related organisms. The ideal candidate will bring strong molecular biology skills and hands-on experience with synthetic DNA and gene-editing technologies to support the design, construction, and optimization of engineered strains. Familiarity with genome editing, protein engineering, microbial physiology, and recombinant protein production is a strong plus. This position is ideal for someone eager to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative startup environment and contribute meaningfully to cutting-edge strain development workflows.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operate lab automation platforms, including robotic liquid handlers (e.g., Bravo, QPix, Opentrons), for high-throughput workflows.
• Collaborate with scientists to design and construct single-gene, multi-gene, and combinatorial libraries aimed at strain improvement.
• Build and clone multi-gene DNA assemblies and expression libraries in yeast and E. coli, continuously optimizing and updating internal protocols.
• Prepare and load DNA libraries for in-house Nanopore sequencing and assist in managing sequencing workflows.
• Participate in iterative Design/Build/Test/Learn (DBTL) cycles to meet key program and company milestones.
• Develop and optimize high-efficiency transformation protocols for integrating libraries into microbial hosts.
• Support the development of high-throughput experimental platforms for strain screening and characterization.
• Perform a range of molecular biology techniques including PCR, gel electrophoresis, plasmid preparation, and transformation for strain QC and validation.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of all lab work using electronic lab notebooks (experience with Benchling or similar platforms is a plus).
• Draft and revise standard operating procedures (SOPs) and provide documentation of workflows and experimental outcomes.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Strong communication skills—both written and verbal—with the ability to present experimental data clearly to multidisciplinary teams.
• High attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and commitment to lab safety and good laboratory practices.
• Comfortable working in high-throughput, fast-paced environments with shifting priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently and meet deadlines.
• Proactive and collaborative team player who also thrives in independent work settings.
• Willingness to learn and implement new tools, techniques, and technologies as needed.
• Familiarity with Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELNs), Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), and Microsoft Office Suite.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related life sciences field.
• 1–3+ years of hands-on experience in an industrial research setting (biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or life sciences), particularly with:
  • DNA library design and construction
  • Cloning, transformation, sequencing
  • Homologous recombination and CRISPR-based gene integration
  • Working in a high-throughput environment

Employment Details:

• Type: Full-time, Onsite
• Location: Sunnyvale, CA, US
• Travel: Not required
• Work Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to perform repetitive tasks using hands and wrists.
• Prolonged periods of standing, pipetting, and working at a bench.
• Compliance with lab safety practices and PPE usage (lab coat, gloves, safety glasses).

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary package
• Generous PTO and company holidays
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life, AD&D, short- and long-term disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan management

Equal Opportunity Employer:Willow Biosciences is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.