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Job description
Overview
Oath is a leading microbial sciences company that utilizes microbes and plants to offer innovative solutions to climate change and sustainable agriculture. We aim to replenish Earth's microbiomes by leveraging science-based insights to provide natural soil inoculant solutions that foster a healthier and more sustainable world.
When you join Oath, you become part of a collaborative network that prioritizes high-quality scientific research to develop and launch effective global solutions. You will have access to a team of scientists, study directors, and a broad network of collaborators to integrate and enhance your skills.
Position Summary
We are seeking a Senior Scientist or Senior R&D Manager to join our dynamic, fast-paced R&D team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in creating high-quality microbial cell banks and working stocks, coordinating fit-for-purpose technology and QC infrastructure development, and orchestrating an R&D product development pipeline with a focus on innovative testing methodologies for launching novel microbial consortia products.
Key Responsibilities
Optimize methods and lead production of high-quality frozen stocks of diverse bacteria and fungi from environmental sources (i.e., non-model organisms); includes archival stocks and working cell banks for manufacturing and lab assays
Ensure clonal purity, viability, and vitality of all stocks, banks, and source material
Implement methods to monitor, mitigate, and prevent contamination events
Design PCR primers, optimize protocols, and operationalize methods for assessing clonal purity and genomic integrity
Identify and manage contract research organizations (CROs) and service providers for R&D
Add DNA barcodes and fluorescent reporters to selected microbial strains
Implement automation and sample tracking solutions as needed (e.g., capper/decapper, barcoded vials and plates, ViaFlow, collaboration with automation engineer for liquid handling solutions, etc.)
Help guide development of LIMS (laboratory information management systems); thoroughly document sample tracking, processes, procedures, and operations
Engage as a key thought leader in strategic development of R&D platform & pipeline
Manage projects for infrastructure development & pipeline operations
Collaborate with colleagues in bioinformatics, data science, laboratory and greenhouse testing, production/manufacturing, BD, regulatory, and field science
Manage one or more direct reports
Qualifications
PhD degree (or equivalent experience) in Microbiology, Microbial Ecology, Plant Biology, or related field
Experience with testing and optimizing microbial metabolism, interactions, phenotypes, and genotypes of diverse environmental isolates
4+ years leading a team in industrial or agricultural biotechnology and developing microbe-based products in a corporate R&D environment
Required Skills & Expertise
Extensive experience in cultivating diverse microbes, including Actinobacteria
Demonstrated ability to deploy molecular biology fundamentals for design and build
Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
Ability to critically evaluate scientific literature and bring key innovations in-house
Track record of crafting high-quality project plans
Successful prior people management and hiring experience
Proficiency in LIMS systems (e.g., Benchling), standard statistical analysis and data visualization software (e.g., R, Spotfire, Tableau, JMP), and project management software (e.g., Asana, Jira)
Experience using SQL queries and relational databases
Effective communication across multiple disciplines
Tech-savvy with a passion for learning and applying new technologies
Highly responsive and proactive with initiative and independence
Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills
Flexible and adaptable to changing project needs and priorities
Beneficial Skills & Expertise
Expertise in microbe-host interaction mechanisms and assays, particularly plant-microbe and/or pathogen-microbe interactions
Understanding of microbial physiology and metabolism in biochemistry, genomics, biosynthetic gene clusters, microbiome dynamics, symbioses, and pathogen resistance
Experience in assessing and engineering microbiomes and their interactions
Track record of cross-stakeholder alignment to operate a structured R&D pipeline with complex coordination and stage-gate decisions
Location & Job Details
Location: This position requires spending >80% of the workweek at a laboratory location in the San Francisco East Bay region. The first weeks may require regular work at a Vacaville, CA location. May require occasional travel outside California.
Job Type: Full-time, exempt position in the United States. At this time, Oath, Inc. is not able to provide visa sponsorship or work authorization support.
Company
About Oath: Oath is a leading microbial sciences company focused on sustainable agriculture and planet-wide challenges. We envision a world where these challenges are not only alleviated but reversed, replenishing Earths microbiomes.
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Worksite address
san francisco, CA, 94199, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.