Research Associate 1 - Microbiology

E. & J. Gallo Winery•Modesto, CA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

We are GALLO, a family-owned company with a 90+ year legacy, recognized as a Glassdoor “Best Places to Work.” We have 130+ brands in our total alcohol beverage portfolio including wine, malt, spirits, and ready-to-drink beverages. We are home to the #1 wine and spirits brands in the U.S. - Barefoot Wine & High Noon and are the official sponsors of the NFL, NHL, UFC, and PGA of America. GALLO is looking for a Research Associate 1 - Microbiology to join our winemaking research team and help shape the future of how great wine is made. In this role, you'll work alongside senior researchers to plan and execute experiments that directly improve our winemaking processes. Your focus will be applied microbiology — isolating and developing novel yeast and bacteria strains, evaluating their fermentative performance, and using molecular biology techniques like PCR, nucleic acid isolation, and sequence analysis to deepen our understanding of fermentation at the genetic level. You'll collect and analyze data, apply statistical methods to uncover meaningful insights, and translate your findings into clear technical reports and presentations. Your work won't stay in the lab. You'll support trials at both pilot and commercial winery scales, contribute to real process improvements, and take ownership of projects at our site wineries. Day to day, you'll also help keep our research running smoothly — maintaining microbial strain collections, managing lab supplies and equipment, preparing media, and mentoring interns as they find their footing in the science. We're looking for someone with a genuine curiosity for discovery, a commitment to scientific rigor, and the drive to continuously grow their technical skills. You stay current with the latest literature, embrace change, and thrive in a collaborative environment where innovation is encouraged and every experiment moves us forward. At GALLO, we believe breakthrough science comes from diverse perspectives. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are proud to foster an inclusive workplace where every team member can do their best work.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, cellular biology, or biology.
Experience with standard and advanced microbiology techniques, including media preparation, aseptic technique, or yeast propagation and maintenance.
Experience with standard and advanced molecular biology techniques, including DNA/RNA isolation and purification, amplification or visualization.
Required to lift and move up to 35 pounds occasionally.
Required to travel to company offices, sites, and/or meeting locations for onboarding, training, meetings, and events for development, department needs, and business delivery up to 5% of the time, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Required to be 18 years or older.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, cellular biology, or biology, plus 2 years of lab experience.
Experience conducting molecular biology experiment, using techniques such as DNA/RNA isolation and purification, DNA sequence analysis, qPCR and rt-PCR.
Experience with HTS phenotypic, biochemical assays, flow cytometry, and directed evolution for strain improvement.
Fundamental knowledge of the biology, molecular biology, and biochemistry of yeast and bacteria associated with winemaking.
Familiar with basic biological processes involved with winemaking, including primary and secondary fermentation.
Understands the function of enzymes in biological processes, as well as their application in winemaking.
Demonstrated mathematical background.
Experience reading, analyzing and interpreting general technical reports, professional journals or governmental regulations.
Experience writing reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals.
Experience effectively presenting information and responding to questions from peers, managers, clients, customers and the general public.
Experience using basic software, such as, MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
Experience applying advanced statistical and mathematical concepts and software to data analysis (R, Python, etc).
Experience applying mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory and factor analysis.
Experience working outside of normal working hours including weekends.

Responsibilities

Plan and execute experiments to improve winemaking processes.
Isolate and develop novel yeast and bacteria strains.
Evaluate the fermentative performance of yeast and bacteria strains.
Use molecular biology techniques like PCR, nucleic acid isolation, and sequence analysis.
Collect and analyze data.
Apply statistical methods to uncover meaningful insights.
Translate findings into clear technical reports and presentations.
Support trials at pilot and commercial winery scales.
Contribute to real process improvements.
Take ownership of projects at site wineries.
Maintain microbial strain collections.
Manage lab supplies and equipment.
Prepare media.
Mentor interns.