Analytical Chemistry Research Associate

About ZymoChem

ZymoChem is re-imagining how to make some of our favorite everyday products without polluting the planet. Motivated by the enormous carbon footprint and vast amount of trash from the fossil-based materials produced by century-old technologies of the ‘traditional’ chemicals industry, ZymoChem’s mission is to create plant-based, hero materials that enable a sustainable future. We are realizing this vision by pioneering low-cost fermentation-based production of chemicals coupled with advanced materials development technologies.

ZymoChem has raised >$18 million to-date that includes funding from premier domestic & international venture capital firms, multiple government awards – most recently two ARPA-E awards – and partnerships with world-leading chemicals companies. Tripling in team size in 2021, we are maintaining our rapid growth and filling multiple roles (www.zymochem.com/careers). We seek candidates who are motivated by science & innovation and have a passion to push the boundaries of materials performance. We are collaborative, multidisciplinary, and relentlessly committed to creating a chemicals & materials industry in tune with the 21st century. If this sounds exciting, we want to hear from you.

The Opportunity

ZymoChem is hiring a Research Associate / RA II / Senior RA to join a rapidly expanding R&D team for the fast-paced, goal-driven development of the company’s novel carbon conserving metabolic pathway biotechnology. This cross-functional role is a great opportunity to work hand-in-hand with other R&D groups on enzyme development, strain engineering, and bioprocessing efforts while also acquiring hands-on expertise with creating & optimizing analytical workflows using state-of-the-art analytical equipment. The Research Associate / RA II / Senior RA will also have opportunities to build out & expand the Analytics group’s capabilities as well as collaborate with the company’s external partners.

Responsibilities

• Routinely lead the hands-on setup and execution of analytical equipment and protocols for sample preparation, sample analysis, and automated data analysis
• Troubleshoot workflows with the aim to improve data quality, increase throughput, and decrease operational expenses
• Manage the streamlined operation of the Analytics group by routinely preparing buffers, standards, and reagents as well as maintaining the group’s chemicals and consumables inventories
• Collaborate with other internal R&D groups to establish appropriate analytical methods and deliver high-quality data & analyses toward strain optimization and bioprocess development
• Interface with the company’s LIMS for analytics-related data acquisition and subsequent implementation of statistical analyses on large data sets
• Assist with the build-out and maintenance of the company’s analytics capabilities: procurement of equipment, commissioning, and hands-on equipment troubleshooting & repair
• Implement proof-of-concept studies to explore new technologies, accelerate workflows, and advance the company’s analytics competencies
• Lead the Analytics group’s general operations & scheduling as well as assist with user training & support

Qualifications

• MS or BS in Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline
• MS degree (or BS degree plus 2 years) with industrial/startup experience working directly with analytics-related technologies and protocols
• Hands-on experience operating commercial HPLC, GC, and MS systems & software is a requirement; familiarity with other analytical equipment, software, and data analysis tools (e.g., SQL, JMP) is a plus
• Prior work with developing and optimizing analytics workflows (e.g., HPLC, LC-MS, GC-FID/MS) and metabolite sample preparation protocols; Familiarity with metabolomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and13C metabolic flux analysis workflows and data analyses is a plus
• Experience implementing data analytics software based on Python, R, or MatLab scripts for analyzing large datasets
• Solid knowledge base with the fundamentals of organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, microbial metabolism, and physiology
• Rigorous attention to details with experimental design, execution, noise/variability, reproducibility, and record keeping
• Adept ability to work both individually and cross-disciplinary to balance multiple independent experiments/projects
• Keen sense for both physical (lab) and data-oriented organization
• Excellent time management skills along with being effective with multitasking and improvising work plans while maintaining efficiency

Full-time opportunities at ZymoChem come with:

• Competitive salary
• Benefits package that includes company stock options, 401(k) option, and employee medical, dental, and vision healthcare coverage
• Additional benefits including dependent healthcare coverage, FSA, HSA, commuter, and supplemental life insurance
• Flexible time off policy with 15 days paid vacation days per year and 10 paid company holidays per year

ZymoChem offers full-time employees a competitive base salary, a comprehensive benefits package, and a company culture that’s collaborative, multidisciplinary, and committed to a big vision for positively impacting the world. We seek candidates who are motivated by our mission and are equally passionate toward pushing the boundaries to build a sustainable future.  This position will be based in the Gate 510 technology hub in San Leandro, CA, and ZymoChem may agree to offer relocation assistance for this role. Located in the vibrant East Bay area of San Francisco, Gate 510 is a state-of-the-facility with many in-house and nearby amenities.

If this opportunity sounds exciting and aligns with your career aspirations, we want to hear from you!

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, medical condition, veteran status, or any other class protected by local, state, or federal law. Legal authorization to work in the United States is required. ZymoChem may agree to sponsor an individual for an employment visa immediate or in the future if there is a shortage of individuals with particular skills for this job.  In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States, and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.