Research Scientist (Research Associate) – 1-year Term

Department: CSB – Ctr for Syn Bio
Salary/Grade: RES/

Job Summary:

Provide a brief description of the general nature of the position; an overview of why the job exists; and what the job is to accomplish.

The AI-Driven, Rapid, Experimental Automation Machine (DREAM) Cloud Lab for Protein Engineering aims to be a national user facility that will accelerate the engineering of proteins for a range of important biotechnology applications spanning manufacturing, materials, medicine, waste recycling, agriculture, food, mining and more. Through creating and operating an automated cell-free protein synthesis and characterization wet-lab, connected through an AI-directed protein design-build-test-learn framework, DREAM will enable users from across the U.S. to engineer custom proteins in rapid, automated, accessible and reliable steps instead of the months to years required with current practices. DREAM will be housed with the SynBio Foundry in the Northwestern Center for Synthetic Biology (NU CSB), a world-renowned center for engineering impactful biotechnologies.

DREAM is seeking to hire a Research Associate who will serve as a Research Scientist. The Research Scientist will serve as a lead experimentalist responsible for onboarding, developing, and troubleshooting cell-free protein engineering workflows within the automated cloud lab. This role will manage multiple experimental tracks, combining biological expertise with hands-on experience in automation platforms. The Research Scientist will enable robust, scalable, and reproducible workflows with a particular emphasis on cell-free protein synthesis and protein characterization. The Research Scientist will also work with DREAM data scientists to generate data compatible with AI-directed protein design. The Research Scientist will work closely alongside the NU CSB Foundry Scientist, Lauren Clark, as well as the Node Director, Professor Julius Lucks, as well as other DREAM staff and NU CSB faculty and trainees.

This is a one-year term position with an opportunity for renewal based on performance and available funding.

*Note: Not all aspects of the job are covered by this job description.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Develop, validate, and scale automated cell-free protein engineering workflows
• Implement and troubleshoot protocols on robotic/automated systems
• Optimize cell-free protein synthesis and expression systems
• Perform protein expression, purification, and analytical characterization
• Ensure reproducibility and maintain quality control across workflows
• Collaborate with data scientists to integrate experimental pipelines
• Onboard new users and experimental protocols into the platform
• Evaluate and adopt emerging lab automation tools
• Relay key practices and concepts to DREAM users

Miscellaneous

Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications (education, Experience, Certifications, Skills)

• Identify the minimum qualifications required to successfully perform the job. Qualifications include education, experience, specialized knowledge, professional certification.
• Ph.d. In biochemistry, bioengineering, molecular biology, or related field
• 3-5+ years experience in protein engineering, synthetic biology, or related field
• Expertise in cell-free systems and protein characterization techniques
• Experience with high-throughput workflows or lab automation platforms
• Strong experimental troubleshooting and independent project management skills
• Experience working with a team on shared research projects
• Ability to clearly document and explain work for distribution to customers

Preferred qualifications (education, experience, certifications, skills)

• Experience with lc-ms/ms, hplc, sequencing, circular dichroism, alphalisa or elisa assays, and lab-scale bioreactors
• Proficiency in cell-free protein synthesis, molecular biology techniques, and lab automation systems
• Experience with high-throughput experimental design, data analysis, and statistical methods for data quality evaluation

Target hiring range for this position will be between $100,000-$120,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Benefits:

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern’s non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the Application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.