Senior/Principal Scientist, Synthetic Biology

Fieldstone Bio; Woburn (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Fieldstone Bio in Woburn, MA is seeking a Senior Scientist or Principal Scientist to design, build, and test microbial biosensors for metals and small molecules across lab, soil, water, and rock environments.

The role requires independence, experience in transcriptomics-based approaches and protein engineering, and collaboration with Microbiology and AI Data teams to advance R&D strategies.

On-site role offering opportunities to lead projects and present results to leadership.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology, or related field with 2+ years of industry experience.
• Proven sensor development in microbes, including non-lab environments is a plus.
• Experience with transcriptomics- and bioinformatics-based screening.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks.
• Strong communication and collaboration across teams.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and test microbial biosensors for target molecules of interest.
• Develop biosensors for molecules with no known regulators using RNA-sequencing and genome-mining approaches.
• Improve existing biosensors via protein engineering, directed evolution, and screening-based approaches.
• Collaborate with Microbiology team to identify synthetic biology solutions for deployment in target environments.
• Interface with leadership to refine program’s technical strategies and ensure milestones are met.
• Present scientific findings in cross-functional project team meetings.
• Document processes, SOPs, and results in an ELN system.

Skills

Microbial engineering

Biosensor development

RNA-sequencing

Protein engineering

Directed evolution

DNA design & assembly

Non-model microbes

Independent work

Education

Ph.D. in Bioengineering/related

Tools

DNA assembly

Job description

About the company

Fieldstone Bio is an early-stage synthetic biology company focused on environmental monitoring. Our technology, which originated at MIT, combines microbiology, synthetic biology, artificial intelligence, and advanced imagery to solve key challenges in mining, pollution surveillance, and national security.

Position summary

Fieldstone Bio is looking for a highly motivated Senior Scientist or Principal Scientist to join our growing Synthetic Biology team, where they will work to design, build, and test microbial biosensors for function in lab-, soil-, water-, and rock-based environments. Target molecules for these biosensors will include metals (for mining applications) and small molecules relevant to Fieldstone’s ongoing and future programs. This role will drive development of biosensors for small molecules with no known regulators, requiring expertise in transcriptomics-based approaches and/or experience in protein engineering and directed evolution. A successful candidate will independently contribute to sensor design, construction, and testing, leveraging synthetic biology expertise to identify the genetic parts and microbial chassis most suited for the program. This is a lab-based role that will work collaboratively with the company’s Microbiology team and AI Data team. This role provides a unique opportunity to impact the development of research and development strategies at an early-stage biotechnology company. This role is on-site and located in Woburn, MA.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, build, and test microbial biosensors for target molecules of interest
• Develop biosensors for target molecules with no known regulators using RNA-sequencing and genome-mining approaches
• Improve existing biosensors via protein engineering, directed evolution, and screening-based approaches
• Collaborate with Microbiology team to identify synthetic biology solutions to support successful biosensor deployment in the target environment
• Interface with leadership team to refine select program’s technical strategies
• Ensure timely delivery of goals for set milestones
• Clearly present scientific findings in cross-functional project team meetings
• Document processes, SOPs, and results in an Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) system

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology (or related field) and a minimum of 2+ years of industry experience
• Demonstrated success in microbial engineering with a proven track record of sensor development, preferably with experience engineering microbes for function outside of a lab environment
• Expertise in DNA design and assembly of complex plasmids
• Depth of knowledge of current technologies used for identifying and screening novel microbial biosensors, including transcriptomics- and bioinformatics-based approaches
• Experience with engineering non-model microbes and engineering microbes for function in complex non-lab environments is a plus
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and outside-of-the-box thinking
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Versatile and flexible scientist who thrives in a fast-paced and collaborative lab environment

Fieldstone Bio is committed to building a diverse and inclusive environment. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability.