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Research Scientist, Strain and Enzyme Engineering Waltham, MA United States, Full-Time

Manus works across industries and value chains to accelerate the transition to BioAlternatives – better performing and more sustainable versions of complex molecules traditionally sourced from plants, animals, or fossil fuels. Our platform is proven to work across scales, bridging the Valley of Death between lab and manufacturing more efficiently and more reliably to deliver the benefits of synthetic biology today.

We are seeking a motivated Strain and Enzyme Scientist to help advance the development of natural BioAlternatives in Escherichia coli. In this role, you will apply creative, collaborative approaches to engineer microbial strains and enzymes, identify and overcome metabolic bottlenecks, and optimize pathways for improved biomanufacturing performance. You will use your expertise in molecular biology, strain engineering, and protein engineering to design, build, and evaluate strains and enzyme variants through high-throughput, plate-based screening. You will also partner closely with our skilled process development team to scale promising strains in bioreactors. This is an opportunity to contribute across the full development cycle, from early-stage design and optimization through scale-up.

This hands-on position requires a desire and ability to work as an integral part of a multidisciplinary team, as well as the demonstration of a high degree of flexibility, creativity, and initiative. This person will be expected to play an integral part of Manus’s research and development team located in Waltham, MA.

Why work for the Company:

Opportunity – For motivated, results-oriented team members, our growth creates opportunities for personal and professional advancement.

Accountability – You are given the resources you need to succeed and the freedom to make it happen; in return, we hold each other accountable for our high expectations.

Passion – We love what we do and enjoy working with others who feel the same way. We embrace the challenge and hard work that comes with working on the cutting edge.

Responsibilities:

• Strain Engineering: Identify and address metabolic bottlenecks, and design, construct, and optimize biosynthetic pathways using metabolic engineering and synthetic biology tools.
• Enzyme Engineering: Apply design-build-test-learn (DBTL) approaches to evaluate enzyme panels and engineered variants, improve pathway activity, and overcome key performance limitations.
• Molecular Biology: Design, construct, and validate vectors for gene expression, enzyme evaluation, and pathway engineering in microbial hosts.
• Strain Construction: Generate E. coli strains using techniques such as recombineering and CRISPR-based genome editing to support strain development campaigns.
• High-Throughput Experimentation: Develop and execute efficient screening workflows to evaluate strain and enzyme performance and identify promising candidates.
• Analytical Execution: Operate GC and/or LC instrumentation to quantitatively assess strain performance, including titer, yield, productivity, and product profile.
• Scientific Innovation: Develop and test data-driven hypotheses, translate experimental insights into actionable strategies, and deliver creative solutions to complex technical challenges.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Communicate findings and work closely with colleagues across strain engineering, fermentation, analytical sciences, and downstream processing to accelerate development and improve experimental outcomes.
• Data Management: Maintain accurate and complete experimental records, process results, and ensure timely data entry into LIMS and other designated systems.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. or equivalent in Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Microbiology, or a related field
• Hands-on experience in genetic engineering tools, including cloning, pathway assembly, and chromosomal manipulation
• Knowledge of enzyme engineering and DBTL workflows
• Expertise in microbial physiology and metabolism

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience engineering E. coli or other similar microorganisms
• Analytical chemistry experience, including GC, LC, and LC/MS

Preferred Working Style:

• Must be very well-organized and be able to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Must be a quick learner who is self-motivated and able to ask questions and seek clarity.
• Must be flexible with day-to-day duties and able to thrive in a dynamic environment.
• Must be an excellent team member with strong communication skills and a desire to work collaboratively.
• Must hold themselves to the highest professional, scientific and ethical standards.