Research Associate II, Microbiology

Kingdom • New York, NY

1d • $80,000 - $85,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Kingdom is an AI-native ingredients company that develops Superculture® ingredients from natural microbes to improve the health of pets and people. Its ingredients are clinically validated and manufactured using AI-powered development processes. The company is growing its pet ingredient business and preparing to commercialize its first human ingredient.

The Research Associate II, Microbiology will own day-to-day biobanking and sequencing operations. The role includes processing new sources and isolating novel strains, maintaining the existing microbe collection, and carrying out PCR, library preparation, and sequencing workflows. The position is suited to an early-career scientist seeking to deepen microbiology and molecular biology experience while taking ownership of multiple workstreams in a fast-moving biotech.

Kingdom is based at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where the full team works in person from a 9,000-square-foot headquarters and laboratory. The company describes its environment as high-trust and high-autonomy, with an emphasis on first-principles problem solving, kind collaboration, resourcefulness, and resilience. Compensation includes a cash salary range of $80,000–$85,000, generous equity, and benefits.

Requirements

• A BS or MS in microbiology, molecular biology, or a related life-sciences field.
• 1–2 years of hands-on experience in a microbiology or molecular biology lab, in academia or industry.
• Strong aseptic technique and direct experience isolating and culturing microbes, including preparing culture media.
• Hands-on experience with DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and sequencing library preparation.
• Meticulous execution and documentation habits, with bench work that others can trace and reproduce.
• Experience with lab automation, including liquid handlers.
• Strong organization and the ability to juggle requests from multiple teams and meet turnaround commitments.
• A troubleshooting mindset and the drive to find and fix problems without waiting to be asked.

Responsibilities

• Grow and maintain Kingdom’s biobank by obtaining, processing, and organizing sources; isolating new strains; regenerating older strains; and making and cataloging strain stocks.
• Culture and isolate microbes using rigorous aseptic technique, including work with BSL-1 and BSL-2 strains and anaerobes in anaerobic chambers.
• Obtain pure isolates and prepare screening plates to support new projects.
• Run PCR and gel purification for Sanger sequencing needs.
• Own DNA extraction and library preparation for 16S/ITS and whole genome sequencing.
• Run qPCR assays and process the resulting data.
• Use liquid handlers to scale high-throughput methods, and troubleshoot and improve protocols.
• Execute in vitro cell-based models.
• Support experimental characterization of Superculture® ingredients.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and generous equity.
• Fully covered medical, vision, and dental insurance.
• Free memberships to One Medical, Teladoc, and Talkspace.
• Flexible PTO and 13 paid company holidays, including a weeklong winter closure from Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day.
• 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave, with the option to extend up to 24 weeks total.
• 401(k) plan.
• FSA option.
• Commuter benefit of the employee’s choice.
• Fully stocked kitchen with fruits, snacks, coffee, and tea, plus weekly team lunches.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level