<p>Our mission at Asimov is to advance humanity's ability to design living systems, enabling biotechnologies with outsized benefit to society. We're developing a mammalian synthetic biology platform--from cells to software--to enable the design and manufacture of next-generation therapeutics.</p> <p>We are looking for a highly motivated Research Associate I to join our DNA & Strain Construction (DNASC) team on a contract basis, with the potential for full-time hire after six months. In this role, you will support our high-throughput molecular biology pipeline, contributing to the efficient cloning, assembly, and sequencing of DNA constructs. You will gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge molecular biology techniques, automation, and process optimization while working in a dynamic synthetic biology environment.</p> <p>About the Role:</p> <ul> <li>Perform high-throughput cloning workflows, including PCR, Gibson Assembly, and Golden Gate Assembly to construct plasmids. </li><li>Operate liquid handlers (e.g., Echo, Bravo, Hamilton STAR), run the MiSeq for NGS, and utilize other automation tools for NGS library preparation and molecular cloning. </li><li>Conduct PCR, Golden Gate or Gibson Assembly, plasmid purification, and sequencing prep to validate DNA constructs. </li><li>Maintain accurate sample tracking and documentation in LIMS to ensure data integrity and reproducibility. </li><li>Assist with large-scale plasmid preparations (LSPs) to support internal and external projects. </li><li>Collaborate with scientists and other RAs to troubleshoot workflows and improve efficiency. </li><li>Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and contribute to continuous process improvements. </li><li>This role will begin as a full-time, 6 month contract. Dependent on business needs, there is potential for the contract to be extended or converted into a permanent position. </li></ul> <p>About You:</p> <ul> <li>B.S. in Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, or a related field (recent graduates encouraged to apply). </li><li>Hands-on experience with molecular cloning techniques (PCR, restriction digestion, ligation, transformation, and plasmid purification). </li><li>Familiarity with DNA assembly methods (Golden Gate, Gibson) and bacterial culturing techniques. </li><li>Comfortable working in a fast-paced lab environment, following protocols, and maintaining detailed records. </li><li>Experience with automated liquid handlers (Echo, Bravo, Hamilton STAR) or NGS workflows is a plus. </li><li>Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to work independently or as part of a team. </li></ul> <p>We're fueled by a vision to transform biological engineering into a fully-fledged engineering discipline. Should you join our team, you will grow with a constantly evolving organization and push the frontiers of synthetic biology. Company culture is key to Asimov, and ours is a culture of recombination; we believe that our mission can only be achieved by bringing together a diverse team with a mixture of backgrounds and perspectives.</p>