Research Scientist, Strain and Enzyme Engineering

Manus Biosynthesis; Waltham (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Manus Biosynthesis in Waltham, MA seeks a Research Scientist to advance strain and enzyme engineering for BioAlternatives. You will engineer microbial systems, optimize pathways, and partner with process development to scale promising strains.

This hands-on role requires molecular biology, high-throughput screening, and data-driven problem solving, with collaboration across fermentation, analytics, and downstream processing to accelerate biomanufacturing breakthroughs.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent in Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, or Microbiology.
• Hands-on experience in genetic engineering tools and cloning.
• Knowledge of enzyme engineering and DBTL workflows.
• Experience with microbial physiology and metabolism.

Responsibilities

• Identify and address metabolic bottlenecks and design biosynthetic pathways.
• Apply DBTL to evaluate enzyme panels and engineered variants.
• Design, construct, and validate vectors for gene expression and pathway engineering.
• Construct E. coli strains using recombineering and CRISPR-based genome editing.
• Develop high-throughput screening workflows to evaluate strain and enzyme performance.
• Operate GC and LC instrumentation to quantify titer and yield.
• Develop data-driven hypotheses and actionable strategies.
• Communicate findings with strain engineering, fermentation, analytics, and downstream processing.
• Maintain accurate experimental records and data entry into LIMS.

Skills

Genetic engineering

Enzyme engineering

DBTL workflows

Metabolic engineering

Education

Ph.D. in Bioengineering/ Chemical Engineering/ Biochemistry/ Microbiology

Tools

GC

LC

LC-MS

Job description

Driven by Purpose. Guided by Principle.

And we need bright, talented minds to join our journey.

We are an inclusive, interdisciplinary team drawn from around the world, dedicated to the sustainable production of materials, chemicals, and ingredients.

Our purpose is to accelerate the transition to BioAlternatives by delivering the benefits of biomanufacturing, today.

Our principles guide our journey and drive our commitment to ethical practices, scientific excellence, and innovation.

If you share our values and our passion.

Join us in accelerating the transition

Research Scientist, Strain and Enzyme Engineering Waltham , MA United States, Full-Time

Manus works across industries and value chains to accelerate the transition to BioAlternatives – better performing and more sustainable versions of complex molecules traditionally sourced from plants, animals, or fossil fuels. Our platform is proven to work across scales, bridging the Valley of Death between lab and manufacturing more efficiently and more reliably to deliver the benefits of synthetic biology today.

We are seeking a motivated Strain and Enzyme Scientist to help advance the development of natural BioAlternatives in Escherichia coli. In this role, you will apply creative, collaborative approaches to engineer microbial strains and enzymes, identify and overcome metabolic bottlenecks, and optimize pathways for improved biomanufacturing performance. You will use your expertise in molecular biology, strain engineering, and protein engineering to design, build, and evaluate strains and enzyme variants through high-throughput, plate-based screening. You will also partner closely with our skilled process development team to scale promising strains in bioreactors. This is an opportunity to contribute across the full development cycle, from early-stage design and optimization through scale-up.

This hands-on position requires a desire and ability to work as an integral part of a multidisciplinary team, as well as the demonstration of a high degree of flexibility, creativity, and initiative. This person will be expected to play an integral part of Manus’s research and development team located in Waltham, MA.

Why work for the Company:

Opportunity – For motivated, results-oriented team members, our growth creates opportunities for personal and professional advancement.

Accountability – You are given the resources you need to succeed and the freedom to make it happen; in return, we hold each other accountable for our high expectations.

Passion – We love what we do and enjoy working with others who feel the same way. We embrace the challenge and hard work that comes with working on the cutting edge.

Responsibilities:

• Strain Engineering: Identify and address metabolic bottlenecks, and design, construct, and optimize biosynthetic pathways using metabolic engineering and synthetic biology tools.
• Enzyme Engineering: Apply design-build-test-learn (DBTL) approaches to evaluate enzyme panels and engineered variants, improve pathway activity, and overcome key performance limitations.
• Molecular Biology: Design, construct, and validate vectors for gene expression, enzyme evaluation, and pathway engineering in microbial hosts.
• Strain Construction: Generate E. coli strains using techniques such as recombineering and CRISPR-based genome editing to support strain development campaigns.
• High-Throughput Experimentation: Develop and execute efficient screening workflows to evaluate strain and enzyme performance and identify promising candidates.
• Analytical Execution: Operate GC and/or LC instrumentation to quantitatively assess strain performance, including titer, yield, productivity, and product profile.
• Scientific Innovation: Develop and test data-driven hypotheses, translate experimental insights into actionable strategies, and deliver creative solutions to complex technical challenges.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Communicate findings and work closely with colleagues across strain engineering, fermentation, analytical sciences, and downstream processing to accelerate development and improve experimental outcomes.
• Data Management: Maintain accurate and complete experimental records, process results, and ensure timely data entry into LIMS and other designated systems.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. or equivalent in Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Microbiology, or a related field
• Hands-on experience in genetic engineering tools, including cloning, pathway assembly, and chromosomal manipulation
• Knowledge of enzyme engineering and DBTL workflows
• Expertise in microbial physiology and metabolism

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience engineering E. coli or other similar microorganisms
• Analytical chemistry experience, including GC, LC, and LC/MS

Preferred Working Style:

• Must be very well-organized and be able to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Must be a quick learner who is self-motivated and able to ask questions and seek clarity.
• Must be flexible with day-to-day duties and able to thrive in a dynamic environment.
• Must be an excellent team member with strong communication skills and a desire to work collaboratively.
• Must hold themselves to the highest professional, scientific and ethical standards.