Research Scientist - Algae Biology

Living Carbon is a public benefit corporation with a mission to responsibly rebalance the planet’s carbon cycle using the inherent power of plants. We believe that gigaton scale CO2 drawdown will only happen if solutions are both beneficial to the environment and profitable to landowners. We’ve developed photosynthesis-enhanced seedlings that capture carbon faster on underperforming and degraded land. In addition to improving carbon capture rates we are also working on extending the durability of nature based sequestration. We’re backed by some of the most prominent investors in Silicon Valley including Felicis Ventures, YCombinator, and Chris Sacca of LowerCarbon Capital.

If you believe that climate change is the defining global emergency of the century and want to join an ambitious project that’s working on a biological solution, we’d love to hear from you.

Your role:

We are seeking a creative and detail-oriented individual who’s excited to be part of a mission-driven early stage company. As Research Scientist, you will work as a part of a small team to pioneer bioengineering of algae for sporopollenin production. Responsibilities include algal species scouting, acquisition, lab-scale culture, bioprospecting, genetic manipulation, and scale-up culture preparation. The successful candidate will be both a strong lab-based individual contributor and a team player who works well with other scientists. The candidate will contribute to key discovery studies which will have a direct impact on the success of our biotech programs to advance company goals.

Your responsibilities:

• Determine species selection criteria based on project needs; Select and acquire a list of algal species for lab evaluation 
• Adapt and develop culture conditions for various algal species at lab scale
• Develop assay protocols with high throughput capability for species screening
• Design and implement HTP bioscreening experimentations 
• Prepare algal cultures for molecular, biochemical, genomics, and metabolic analysis
• Working with mass spec scientists to establish baseline sporopollenin concentration in A. protothecoides
• Provide lab results that demonstrate ability to express active enzymes of the sporopollenin synthesis pathway in algae in vitro 
• May perform transformations of algal cells using biolistics, electroporation, injections, or Agrobacterium vectors, and screen for transformants 
• Make algae media stocks and solutions, including artificial seawater
• Maintain algae biomaterials, freezer storage, and responsibly dispose of algal waste

Requirements and qualifications:

• Ph.D. in plant biology, microbiology, algal biology, or a related field with 0-2 years of industry experience, or Masters with 5+ years algae related experience, or Bachelor’s with 7+ years of algal experience
• Expertise knowledge of algal species and classification is desired
• Hands-on experience with algae culture and transformation is required
• Experience with algae bioassays is highly desirable
• Experience and understanding of high throughput assay is desirable
• Previous experience with algal genetics and algal molecular biology is preferred but not required

Living Carbon PBC offers competitive compensation, and generous healthcare, dental and vision insurance.

Living Carbon PBC is an equal opportunity employer.

We believe the best solutions to climate change are created by diverse teams. Living Carbon is focused on building a multicultural and inclusive team with strong representation from the many diverse communities disproportionately impacted by climate change. As a public benefit corporation, ensuring solutions to slow climate change are widely distributed to all peoples is critical to the success of our mission.