Scientist, Strain Engineering

Job Description

Join our team: Willow Biosciences, now part of Mycofeast Ltd., is a leading biotechnology company focused on revolutionizing industrial manufacturing of pure, consistent and sustainable ingredients. Willow develops and produces high-purity ingredients for personal care, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical markets. Willow's team has a proven track record of developing and commercializing bio-based manufacturing processes and products to benefit our B2B partners and their customers.

Job Title: Scientist, Strain Engineering

Job Summary: We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Strain Engineer to join our dynamic, fast-paced team focused on high-throughput (HTP) enzyme and host engineering in microorganisms, particularly Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pichia pastoris, and E. coli. The ideal candidate will possess strong molecular biology expertise and hands-on experience with synthetic biology tools, including gene editing, high-throughput DNA library construction, and strain optimization for bioproduction. This role will be instrumental in designing and executing experiments to improve the performance and yield of engineered microbial strains aligned with our commercial goals.

Key Responsibilities:

Operate and maintain lab automation systems such as robotic liquid handlers (e.g., Bravo, QPix, Opentrons).

Perform standard molecular biology techniques: PCR, electrophoresis, plasmid isolation, and microbial transformation.

Design and construct both single-gene and combinatorial DNA libraries for strain engineering using internal bioinformatics and molecular biology platforms.

Develop and optimize protocols for multi-gene DNA assembly and cloning in yeast and E. coli.

Track advancements in gene-editing technologies and implement novel tools as relevant.

Contribute to iterative Design/Build/Test/Learn (DBTL) cycles in collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Apply knowledge of microbial physiology to resolve biosynthetic bottlenecks and improve pathway productivity.

Partner with automation and assay teams to build high-throughput screening workflows and scalable platforms.

Maintain meticulous lab records; experience with ELNs such as Benchling is a plus.

Analyze DNA sequence and strain performance data, providing insights to guide future engineering decisions.

Improve transformation protocols for high-efficiency DNA library integration into microbial hosts.

Develop and maintain clear documentation, including protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Foster strong collaboration with fermentation and analytical teams to deliver optimized production strains.

Conduct hypothesis-driven wet-lab experiments in microtiter plates and shake flasks.

Uphold lab safety standards and promote excellent housekeeping practices.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

Outstanding communication skills (both written and verbal); able to clearly present complex data and experimental results to internal teams.

Strong scientific reasoning with attention to detail and organization.

Self-motivated, able to work independently as well as collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.

Eagerness to learn, adapt, and implement emerging scientific methods and technologies.

Ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain thorough documentation, and meet key project milestones.

Commitment to scientific excellence and continuous improvement.

Education & Experience:

M.S. with 5+ years or Ph.D. with 2+ years of experience in molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, biochemistry, chemical engineering, or related field.

Proven track record of strain or enzyme engineering using HTP techniques in industrial settings (biotech, pharma, or life sciences).

Experience with E. coli, S. cerevisiae, and/or Pichia pastoris in a strain optimization context.

Familiarity with automated platforms for DNA library creation, transformation, homologous recombination, and CRISPR-based editing.

Experience with ELN/LIMS systems and data-driven workflows for small molecule or natural product production.

Employment Details:

Type: Full-time, Onsite

Location: Sunnyvale, CA, US

Travel: Not required

Work Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to perform repetitive tasks using hands and wrists.

Prolonged periods of standing, pipetting, and working at a bench.

Compliance with lab safety practices and PPE usage (lab coat, gloves, safety glasses).

Compensation & Benefits:

Competitive salary package

Generous PTO and company holidays

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

Life, AD&D, short- and long-term disability insurance

401(k) retirement plan management

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Willow Biosciences is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.

Full-time