Sr. Research Associate, Molecular Biology

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Job description

**Kelly Services is currently seeking a Sr. Research Associate** **for a Direct Hire role in San Diego.**

**Job Title** : **Sr. Research Associate, Molecular Biology**

Pay: $65-80k depending on experience

**Job Description** :

We are seeking a Senior Research Associate to utilize molecular biology methods to design and build genetic constructs and strains to produce diverse lasso peptide analogs that will be tested for therapeutic activity. Candidates with relevant experience working with Streptomyces strains and enzymes are highly desirable. A successful candidate will be expected to play a broad role in advancing our platform. Specific areas of responsibility for this position will include, but are not limited to, propagation and manipulation of a variety of bacterial organisms, routine molecular biological manipulations and building genetic constructs for the heterologous production of lasso peptides. Candidates will continuously interact with a multi-disciplinary team and make important contributions to our groundbreaking science in an exciting start-up environment where everyone makes a difference.

**Key Responsibilities** :

• Design and build genetic constructs on self-replicating and integrating plasmids for heterologous overexpression of lasso peptide biosynthetic enzymes and pathways from various hosts.

• Routine cloning and other molecular biology manipulations.

• Manipulate and culture wild-type and engineered bacterial strains, including gram-positive bacteria such as Actinobacteria and Firmicutes.

• Acquire, evaluate, interpret, and present experimental results internally and at partner meetings.

• Help to maintain a clean, organized, and efficient laboratory environment.

• Execute safe laboratory procedures and always wear personal protection equipment in the labs.

• Follow and help enforce all protocols associated with maintaining safe operations in the labs and offices during the COVID-19 pandemic.

**Qualifications and Skills** :

• BS or MS (or equivalent experience) in molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, or related disciplines. At least 2 years of industrial experience is highly desirable.

• Proficient in recombinant DNA techniques and tools for constructing plasmids and vectors containing biosynthetic pathway genetic components (e.g., DNA design, cloning, isolation, and sequencing).

• Proficient in bioinformatic analysis, BLAST search, sequence alignment, genomic database search and related methods and software.

• Familiarity with expressing genes and gene clusters in host organisms and cultivating various bacteria, e.g., E. coli, Pseudomonas, Streptomyces.

• Publications or other evidence of independent, self-driven work is desirable.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, multi-disciplinary, team-driven work environment.

• Must be detail-oriented, self-motivated, and able to work independently.

• Excellent organization, strong interpersonal skills, excellent oral and written communication skills. Able to manage, organize, and critically evaluate data.

**Work Environment** :

This position is based in San Diego. This position primarily will involve working in a laboratory and office setting and will require extensive interaction and communication with other individuals from different backgrounds.

\#TJP2021_SPEC

**You should know:** Your safety matters! Vaccination against COVID-19 may be a requirement for this job in compliance with current client and governmental policies. A Kelly recruiter will confirm and share more details with you during the interview process.

**Why Kelly** **®** **?**

Kelly® Science & Clinical is your connection to premier scientific and clinical companies looking to hire talented people just like you. Every day, we match science professionals with dream jobs that fit their skills and interests-it's the way we think job searching should be. Nearly 100 percent of our science recruiters have a professional background/education in science, so we know a thing or two about the science market and how to get you noticed.

**About Kelly** **®**

At Kelly, we're always thinking about what's next and advising job seekers on new ways of working to reach their full potential. In fact, we're a leading advocate for temporary/nontraditional workstyles, because we believe they allow flexibility and tremendous growth opportunities that enable a better way to work and live (plus, did we mention we provide a ton of benefits ?). Connecting great people with great companies is what we do best, and our employment opportunities span a wide variety of workstyles, skill levels, and industries around the world.

Kelly is an equal opportunity employer committed to employing a diverse workforce, including, but not limited to, minorities, females, individuals with disabilities, protected veterans, sexual orientation, gender identity. Equal Employment Opportunity is The Law. ()