Research Associate / Senior Research Associate, Metabolic Engineering

DMC Biotechnologies, Inc.; Morrisville (NC); On-site; USD 64,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

DMC Biotechnologies is seeking Research Associates (RA) and Senior Research Associates (Sr. RAs) to join the Metabolic Engineering team at our RTP, NC site. The positions are on-site and funded by a grant, initially for 12 months with a start anticipated in October 2026.

The RA/Sr. RA will perform hands-on molecular biology and strain development in E. coli and S. cerevisiae, conduct high-throughput screening, document results, and contribute to SOPs and data-driven decisions.

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Microbiology, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or related field.
• RA: 0–3+ years; Sr. RA: 2–5+ years of relevant experience with independently executing complex workflows.
• Self-starter, detail‑oriented, collaborative mindset.
• Experience with PCR, plasmid construction, DNA assembly, transformation, and microbial strain development.
• Follows SOPs and experimental procedures; strong organizational skills.
• Hands-on microbial engineering experience, especially with E. coli and/or S. cerevisiae; lab automation a plus.
• Familiarity with fermentation, high-throughput screening, DoE, and Python is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with scientists in a cross-functional team.
• Perform molecular biology and microbial engineering experiments for strain construction.
• Execute PCR, DNA purification, DNA assembly, transformation, and plasmid construction.
• High-throughput screening and characterization of production strains.
• Operate automation systems for screening and workflows.
• Conduct bench-scale fermentation/cultivation and collect high-quality data.
• Analyze data using Python or Excel and identify trends.
• Maintain SOPs and experimental procedures.
• Prepare reagents and materials for daily work.
• Maintain glassware and equipment for ongoing work.
• Assist in inventory, ordering, and lab organization.
• Maintain safe laboratory practices and a safe work environment.
• Record data in electronic lab systems and report deviations.

Skills

Molecular biology

Laboratory automation

High-throughput screening

DoE/Statistical analysis

Python programming

Team collaboration

Education

B.S. or M.S. in Microbiology / Biotechnology / Molecular Biology / Biochemistry

Tools

PCR

DNA assembly

Transformation

Laboratory automation

Biolector

Liquid handling systems

Job description

Location: Morrisville/RTP, NC – On-Site Employment: Full-Time DMC Employee Compensation: RA: $64,000 –$74,500 / SRA: $75,000 - $87,000 annually, based on experience and position level. Benefits: Full DMC Employee Benefits Duration: 12-Month Project Position Anticipated Start: October 2026

About DMC Biotechnologies

DMC is a biotechnology company based in Boulder, CO, andRTP, NC. Our Dynamic Metabolic Control™ technology platform delivers robust and predictably scalable biocatalysts resulting in cost-competitive and sustainable processes for everyday chemicals. We are a multi-product bio-based chemical company, working ingeniously to reduce the cost of biochemicals for markets in animal feed, human nutrition, pharmaceutical materials, and chemical intermediates.

The Role

We are looking for several Research Associates (RAs) / Senior Research Associates (Sr. RAs) to join our Metabolic Engineering team at our RTP location.

The RA/Sr. RA will work as part of the Metabolic Engineering team and will be responsible for the construction, testing, and optimization of engineered microbial strains at bench scale. The successful candidate will perform hands-on molecular biology and metabolic engineering experiments, conduct high-throughput screening of production strains, and generate high-quality, reliable experimental data through careful and consistent execution. The candidate will accurately document, report, and communicate experimental results, observations, and progress to their manager.

Please note that this position is supported by grant funding and is initially offered as a 12-month term, subject to the terms and duration of the grant.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate effectively with scientists and other team members in a cross-functional environment.
• Perform hands-on molecular biology and microbial engineering experiments for the construction of microbial strains, including E. coli and S. cerevisiae.
• Execute PCR, DNA purification, DNA assembly, transformation, plasmid construction, strain construction, and related molecular biology experiments.
• Perform high-throughput screening and characterization of engineered production strains.
• Operate laboratory automation systems, including liquid handlers, for production strain screening and other workflows.
• Conduct fermentation and/or cultivation experiments at bench scale (96-well plates, Biolector, shake flasks, etc.) and collect high-quality experimental data.
• Conduct basic data analysis using Python or Excel and apply data-driven approaches to identify trends and generate hypotheses.
• Follow, maintain, and contribute to the development and revision of SOPs and experimental procedures.
• Prepare reagents and materials for the MetEng team's daily work, including media, buffers, and stock solutions.
• Prepare glassware and equipment to support ongoing experimental work.
• Assist in general laboratory management, including inventory, ordering, and organization.
• Maintain safe laboratory practices and a safe work environment.
• Record data accurately in electronic lab systems and report deviations or anomalies.

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. degree in Microbiology, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field.
• RA: 0–3+ years of relevant laboratory experience. Sr. RA: 2–5+ years of relevant industry or academic research experience, with demonstrated ability to independently execute complex experimental workflows.
• Must be a self-starter who is motivated and scientifically curious, pays close attention to detail, and works effectively and collaboratively with team members.
• Experience with PCR, plasmid construction, DNA assembly, transformation, and microbial strain development.
• Experience following detailed SOPs and experimental procedures.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple experiments and priorities.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining high-quality experimental data.
• Hands-on experience with microbial engineering, molecular biology, or synthetic biology, particularly involving E. coli and/or S. cerevisiae, is preferred.
• Experience with laboratory automation/liquid handlers is preferred.
• Experience with fermentation, microbial cultivation, or high-throughput screening is a plus.
• Experience with electronic lab systems is a plus.
• Familiarity with statistical analysis, Design of Experiments (DoE), and quantitative analysis is preferred.
• Python or other programming experience is a plus.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We're actively taking steps to make sure our culture is inclusive and that our processes and practices promote equity for all, including people of color, people from working‑class backgrounds, women, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. We welcome and encourage applications from people with these identities or members of other historically marginalized groups.

Research shows that women and people of color tend not to apply to jobs unless they believe they are 100% qualified and apply to fewer senior-level positions. With that in mind, we encourage you to apply if you're not sure whether you meet our qualifications. We'd love to have the opportunity to consider you.