Associate Scientist, Protein Engineering

Arbor Biotechnologies•Cambridge, MA

6d•$110,000 - $120,000

About The Position

We are seeking an Associate Scientist to participate in protein engineering campaigns for our cutting-edge genome editing tools towards generating best-in-class molecules. You will play a key role in supporting selection and generation of protein mutants/variants, for testing in cellular screens, downstream analytics, and communicating results within the team. You will also work cross-functionally with other teams to support upstream design and downstream hand-off and testing. This role is ideal for a detail-oriented and motivated molecular biologist with a willingness to learn and a team-first mentality.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, or related discipline with a minimum of 8 years of related experience, or Master’s degree with a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience; industry experience preferred.
Demonstrated ability to independently execute and optimize complex molecular biology, cell-based assay, and protein variant evaluation workflows.
Hands-on experience with AAV production and testing, including vector design, packaging, assay execution, and troubleshooting of production or performance issues.
Hands-on experience with IVT mRNA synthesis, purification, characterization, and cellular delivery, including troubleshooting quality, yield, and transfection/nucleofection performance.
Strong tissue culture experience, including transient transfection, nucleofection, or transduction in dividing and/or non-dividing cell types; experience with primary cells is a plus.
Experience contributing to experimental design, data interpretation, and recommendation of next-step studies.
Ability to manage multiple experiments or workstreams with general guidance and communicate results clearly to scientific stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Experience with CRISPR gene editing technologies is a plus.
Familiarity with Illumina sequencing workflows is a plus.
Experience with primary cells is a plus.

Responsibilities

Independently plan, execute, optimize, and troubleshoot experiments supporting protein engineering campaigns for genome editing tools.
Contribute to the design, generation, and evaluation of protein mutants/variants, including recommending experimental approaches, controls, and follow-up studies.
Design and execute cell-based screening workflows using transient transfection, nucleofection, and transduction in dividing and non-dividing cell models.
Design, package, and evaluate AAVs for protein variant testing, including troubleshooting production, delivery, and performance issues.
Synthesize, purify, characterize, and test IVT-generated mRNA, including troubleshooting quality, yield, and cellular delivery.
Prepare sequencing libraries and analyze experimental outputs to assess editing outcomes, variant performance, and experimental quality.
Interpret data, summarize conclusions, and make recommendations that inform next-step experiments and campaign decisions.
Maintain high-quality documentation and prepare clear data packages for cross-functional review.
Collaborate with upstream design and downstream testing teams on experimental planning, prioritization, and handoff.
Present results and contribute scientific input to project planning and experimental strategy.