Associate Scientist or Scientist, Analytics

About the Job:

In this role, you will work in our lab to develop analytical methods for, and provide analytical support to the characterization and development of infant formula ingredients and products.  The successful candidate will be a hands-on, motivated self-starter with a strong sense of initiative. You will be responsible for contributing directly to Helaina’s company milestones by designing, performing, and troubleshooting experiments through the Analytics team’s objectives of analytical development and support of infant nutrition ingredients and products.  This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is hungry to work in a startup environment and ready to make a big impact in a team on future nutrition. 

What You’ll Do:

• Perform and lead the development of analytical methods for the characterization of recombinant proteins and ingredients of food products. These will include but are not limited to sample preparation and physicochemical analysis of lactoferrin as well as other proteins by chromatography (e.g. RP, SEC, IEX, and HILIC) and mass spectrometry. 
• Provide analytical support of R&D in the engineering of strains and the development of processes for the expression and production of recombinant proteins. 
• Responsible for the daily operation and maintenance of the major equipment such as (U)HPLC and mass spectrometry systems. 
• Work with external resources including CROs and CMOs/CDMOs to contribute to the company’s objectives and milestones as needed.
• Perform analytical method development, transfer, validation, and operations, including release and stability studies, for food ingredients and finished products.
• Provide technical support for regulatory filings, health authority questions, change control, and quality impact assessments.
• Analyze, interpret, and present data to internal and external audiences.

About You:

• You have a PhD, MS, or BS in analytical chemistry, analytical biochemistry, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, or other relevant scientific disciplines with 3+ years of  in-lab experience in a biotech or academic setting.
• You have a deep knowledge and experience in analytical techniques for protein purification and analysis such as chromatography (RP, IEX, SEC and HILIC), 
• You have experience in mass spectrometry characterization of proteins including intact protein measurement, peptide mapping, glycosylation and other post-translational modification analysis. 
• spectroscopy (UV, Fluorescence, CD), and SDS-PAGE/western blotting would be a plus.
• You have strong working knowledge of analytical method development, validation, transfer, and root cause analysis.
• You are eager to make an impact in a team environment.
• You are energetic, creative, and personally motivated by the future of food and/or biological products.
• You are an effective communicator, both within a collaborative scientific team and in communicating science to non-technical audiences
• Bonus points if you have: 
• prior applied experience with recombinant protein purification and analysis.
• prior experience of publications in peer review journals, patents, SOPs, and/or regulatory filings.

Compensation is market-competitive with a yearly cash base of $70k - $85k plus equity.