Strain Development Research Associate

Terragia (terragiabiofuel.com) is a startup founded in October, 2022 dedicated to development and commercial deployment of low-cost technology for production of cellulosic biofuels. Built on decades of pioneering research led by Dartmouth Professor Lee Lynd, Terragia’s unique consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) technology has documented potential to be cost-competitive with fossil fuels while realizing net removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The company seeks to hire a productive and complementary person to join a new research team working on a project with a strategic partner. We are inspired by the prospect of playing a key role in climate stabilization and rural economic development and are looking to rapidly add capable individuals to our R&D team.

Project: Organism and process development for ethanol production via CBP using engineered thermophilic bacteria. A project is underway to develop anaerobic bacteria and fermentation systems for converting cellulose- and hemicellulose-containing biomass to ethanol in an advanced CBP configuration. This involves using a defined consortium of engineered thermophilic anaerobic bacteria without thermochemical pretreatment, exogenous enzymes, or yeast. The workplan involves diagnosing the cause of performance limitations, overcoming these limitations via strain and fermentation process development, and technoeconomic analysis to guide our efforts and evaluate progress.

Expertise, skills.

Strain development. Genetic engineering of bacteria, PCR, plasmid construction, microbiology, adaptive laboratory evolution, biochemical assays. Experience with genetics and isolation of non-model microbes is a plus.

Qualifications.

Bachelors or Masters degree in microbiology, chemical / biological engineering, chemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, biochemistry or related fields. Relevant industry experience preferred. Demonstrated aptitude in the laboratory is essential. Experience and knowledge of state of the art cloning, genetic manipulation and screening is particularly sought.

General attributes.

• Collaborative goal-oriented team player with independence and responsibility commensurate with level.

• Keep careful records and report outcomes to team members.

• Good communication and interpersonal skills as well as a sensible, adaptable, and innovative attitude.

Compensation. Industry-competitive for industrial biotechnology.

Levels. Research Associates at all levels of seniority with titles depending on education and experience.

Location. Rented facilities at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire.