Scientist I/II - Biochemistry

We are seeking a Scientist I/II, Biochemistry, to join our Discovery team and contribute to proof-of-concept and deep biochemical characterization of metagenomics-derived enzymes, including high-throughput assay designs.  You will collaborate with computational biology, protein engineering, automation, and preclinical teams in order to advance our novel gene editing technologies and work with multidisciplinary teams to expand our understanding of novel or poorly-understood gene editing or related systems and design/execute pipelines to characterize and optimize working systems.  This role will be based in Emeryville, California. How you will contribute: Express, purify, and characterize proteins from bacterial or eukaryotic cells and lead efforts to develop biochemical workflows by generating new protocols and troubleshooting as necessary to obtain yield and purity. Design and develop biochemical and in-cell assays to characterize enzymes or systems that would be further developed into gene editing tools.  High throughput cloning, library preparation and screening for promoter identification and/or enzyme activities. Conduct experiments to validate assay performance, generating high-quality, reproducible data. Leading cloning efforts by using various cloning techniques (Gibson assembly, restriction enzyme digestion and ligation, etc.) to construct plasmids required for expression and purification of multicomponent systems. Actively working across departments to make our developed enzyme assays amenable to high throughput screening efforts.  Stay informed on advancements in assay development, protein purification and characterization, actively contributing to their implementation. Analyze and interpret data, and update colleagues in group and project team meetings. Work within and across teams to prioritize targets and determine project directions. Disseminate results through seminars, presentations, and peer-reviewed publications. What you will bring: Ph.D. in Biology related field and at least two years of research and wet lab biopharma experience Proficiency with handling RNA, DNA, and cloning techniques, including PCR, plasmid prep, restriction enzyme digestion and ligation, and Gibson assembly Strong experience in high throughput assay development and screening, Familiarity with automation software and instruments Experience in optimization and scale-up of protein purification workflows. Excellent time management and organizational skills to manage tight deadlines, multiple projects, and deadlines A highly collaborative, team and solutions-oriented mindset.   California Pay Transparency Disclosure: This position is classified as an exempt salaried position under the Federal Labor Standards Act.  This position's anticipated base salary range will be $115,000 to $145,000.  You will also be eligible to receive equity, bonuses, and a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits depending on the position offered. Please note that individual total compensation for this position will be determined at the Company’s sole discretion and may vary based on location, skill level, years and depth of relevant experience, and education.   #LI-NG1 About Metagenomi Metagenomi is a gene editing company committed to developing potentially curative therapeutics by leveraging a proprietary toolbox of next-generation gene editing systems to accurately edit DNA where current technologies cannot. Our metagenomics-powered discovery platform and analytical expertise reveal novel cellular machinery sourced from otherwise unknown organisms. We adapt and forge these naturally evolved systems into powerful gene editing systems that are ultra-small, extremely efficient, highly specific and have a decreased risk of immune response. These systems fuel our pipeline of novel medicines and can be leveraged by partners. Our goal is to revolutionize gene editing for the benefit of patients around the world. For more information, please visit https://metagenomi.co/.   What makes Metagenomi a unique place to work? We are passionate about developing technologies derived from microbial-rich ecosystems that have the power to enable therapeutic development and the potential to cure devastating disease. We have cultivated an amazing culture that values teamwork, curiosity, scientific rigor, and fun. We have a strong commitment to work/life balance, host a weekly employee happy hour and events, provide catered lunches and endless snacks, and more!  We offer competitive compensation including a market-benchmarked salary, annual target bonus, equity in an early-stage startup, and a comprehensive benefits plan, including 401(k) matching, a retirement safe harbor plan, and other perks.   At Metagenomi, we know that our people drive our success. We are an equal-opportunity employer and believe in and value diversity and inclusion. Metagenomi provides an open, collegial, and friendly work environment where we empower people and provide them with opportunities to develop their long-term careers. Metagenomi does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age, physical or mental disability, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. Please note, all candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.   Applicants/Employees have rights under various State and Federal Employment Laws, including without limitation:   Family & Medical Leave Act    Equal Employment Opportunity Commission   Employee Polygraph Protection Act    California Family Rights Act    California Fair Employment and Housing Act   Notice to agencies: Our in-house Talent Acquisition Team manages all employment opportunities at Metagenomi. Agencies and independent recruiters must be approved as a vendor by Metagenomi’s Talent Acquisition team. To protect the interests of all parties, Metagenomi will not accept unsolicited resumes, profiles, or biographies. Any unsolicited resumes sent to Metagenomi will be considered referrals and the property of Metagenomi.