Scientist I - Oligo Synthesis

SGS Consulting; Milton (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SGS Consulting is seeking a Ph.D.-level scientist to lead laboratory experiments in synthetic biology, focusing on nucleic acid production for mRNA vaccine development.

You will design and execute oligo synthesis and assembly workflows, collaborate with automation engineers, and analyze sequencing data. A strong team player with programming skills is preferred.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. with 2+ years in synthetic biology, including oligo synthesis and design.
• Experience with NGS library prep, analysis, and process optimization.
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Programming in Python, SQL, or R is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Independently plan, design, and execute synthetic biology experiments to produce nucleic acid material for mRNA vaccine production.
• Develop, evaluate, and implement new synthetic biology tech to optimize workflows.
• Collaborate with Automation engineers to automate gene synthesis workflows for high throughput.
• Utilize software tools to automate DNA designs and data analysis.
• Prepare technical reports and present findings to management and stakeholders.
• Mentor junior team members; primarily lab-based role.

Skills

oligo synthesis

sequence design

gene assembly

NGS data analysis

molecular biology

Education

Ph.D. in Synthetic Biology

2+ years post-grad experience

Tools

Geneious

SnapGene

Benchling

Illumina/Nanopore platforms

Job description

Job Responsibilities:

• Independently plan, design, and execute synthetic biology experiments to construct and prepare high quality of nucleic acid material for mRNA vaccine production. Take part in mRNA vaccine target development, DNA template production, QC and data analysis.
• Develop, evaluate, and implement new synthetic biology technology and optimize existing techniques and workflows to meet goals.
• Collaborate with Automation engineers to automate the gene synthesis workflow, meet the high throughput requirements.
• Utilize software tools to automate DNA designs, NGS data analysis.
• Function in highly collaborative cross functional teams.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and recommendations to management and other stakeholders.
• Mentor junior team members as needed.
• This will be primarily a lab-based position.

Skills:

• Ph.D. with 2+ year of post-graduate experience in synthetic biology field with extensive experience in oligo synthesis, sequence design, gene assembly, NGS library prep, analysis and process optimization.
• Hands-on molecular biology skills in oligo synthesizer, PCR, Gibson and Golden Gate Assembly, Illumina and nanopore NGS platform, automated liquid handler Hamilton etc.
• Expertise in nucleic acid sequence analysis software (Geneious, Snapgene, Benchling etc).
• Expertise in analytical and molecular biology methods relevant to DNA work.

Education/Experience:

• Ph.D. with 2+ year of post-graduate experience in synthetic biology field with extensive experience in oligo synthesis, sequence design, gene assembly, NGS library prep, analysis and process optimization.
• Desire to work in a team-first, fast-paced environment, learn new skills, and to efficiently solve problems.
• Attention to detail & meticulous record keeping
• Hands-on molecular biology skills in oligo synthesizer, PCR, Gibson and Golden Gate Assembly, Illumina and nanopore NGS platform, automated liquid handler Hamilton etc.
• Expertise in nucleic acid sequence analysis software (Geneious, Snapgene, Benchling etc). Some experience in programing such as Python, SQL, R.
• Expertise in analytical and molecular biology methods relevant to DNA work.
• Contract research labs: setting up research agreements and managing externalized research and tech transfer activities
• Plus: experience in programing such as Python, SQL, R.