Research Assistant – Protein Production Scientist at Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL
Our client, Argonne National Laboratory is hosting a new early-stage biotech startup developing recombinant elastic and thermoresponsive protein materials to enable fully bio-based, high-performance stretch in textiles. Our work integrated protein engineering, bioprocessing, and materials characterization to support circular and scalable textile innovation.
The team is searching for a contract scientist to support recombinant protein purification, sample
preparation, and materials characterization in collaboration with internal teams, contract research
partners, and national lab user facilities.
Project Length = 3 Months.
Work site location = Lemont, IL
Major Responsibilities:
1. Protein Purification and Processing
· Identify optimal elastic protein expression clones through high-throughput screening in E. coli systems.
2. Collaborator & Contract Research Support
· Prepare, document, and ship protein and material samples to external collaborators
· Receive cell pellets from partners for downstream processing
3. Materials Characterization Support
· Support characterization of structural, mechanical, and chemical properties of materials across form factors (protein, fiber, non-woven, woven)
· Assist with sample preparation and data collection for techniques such as SEM, spectroscopy, and related analyses.
4. Project & Lab Support
· Maintain protocols and documentation
· Communicate results with internal teams and external partners
· Support iterative optimization based on characterization feedback
Required Skills:
· BS or MS in Biochemical Engineering, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry.
· Minimum of 1 year of proficiency in relevant instrumentation or experience in areas of specialized expertise as identified by the program requirements.
· Hands-on expertise in recombinant protein purification and analytical characterization
(e.g., SDS-PAGE)
· Familiarity with biomaterials processing and/or textile-relevant material formats preferred
· Experience supporting collaborative or multi-institution research projects strongly preferred
· Strong organization, documentation, and communication skills.
If you would like to be considered for this role, you need to submit your resume before 6/14/26.
If you or anyone you know is interested, qualified and immediately available please send an updated resume to us for immediate review and consideration.
LabPersonnel is not a general staffing firm, we specialize on recruitment in the Engineering, Pharma, Food, Energy, Power, Oil & Gas, Chemical, Paints and Petroleum.
As market specialists in these areas we understand your market and product solutions in considerable depth. This knowledge plays a key role in the process that enables us to source the best candidates using the most time efficient methods.