Research Associate

About Us

At Shiru we believe that food should be delicious and nourishing without negatively affecting our planet. Acknowledging our growing global population as well as the imminent effects of climate change, Shiru’s mission is to create better protein ingredients that will catapult us into a sustainable future. With our mission in mind, Shiru makes high quality, functional proteins through better leveraging our precious environmental resources.

By applying computational intelligence, we find natural and highly functional proteins, harnessing the inherent ability of microflora to produce them. We then partner with industry leading companies to scale and incorporate these unique protein ingredients into everyday products. Shiru is now expanding our team of dedicated professionals across multiple disciplines to make enhanced protein ingredients for a better world.

About The Role

We are looking for an enthusiastic and detail-oriented Research Associate to join our Protein Chemistry team. You will work closely with Shiru’s scientists to execute and improve our protein production and purification workflows. As a key member of an early stage multi-disciplinary team, you will have ample opportunities to learn cutting-edge science in a collaborative environment, hone your laboratory and scientific decision-making skills, and contribute to our collective mission with ever-increasing autonomy.

About You: You are an enthusiastic and hyper-organized self-starter. You keep a list of your lists, and checking items off of them gives you a great sense of satisfaction. You find yourself “in the flow” when you are working with your hands and at the bench. Your curiosity and attention to detail help you spot problems, ask questions, and identify solutions. Your positive mindset and collaborative attitude make you a great team player. You have excellent interpersonal and time-management skills, and a passion for science, food, and sustainability.

Responsibilities

• Conduct protein production and purification experiments, including cell lysis, filtration, and chromatography
• Collect, analyze, and summarize analytical data to characterize protein sample properties such as purity, stability, and size
• Initiate fermentation runs, from seed culture to shake flask, as necessary to feed protein production pipelines
• Troubleshoot existing purification equipment and/or protocols
• Maintain a detailed record of results using an Electronic Laboratory Notebook, enabling efficient data capture, analysis, and communication
• Contribute to a safe working environment through equipment maintenance and chemical handling
  
  
  

Attributes

• You enjoy working on scientific problems and applying your analytical and problem-solving skills
• You bring a positive attitude to individual and collaborative projects
• Good organizational habits and time-management skills
• Ability to work independently and troubleshoot resourcefully; you’re not afraid to make or discuss mistakes and you’re keen to continuously improve your skills and the quality of your work
• Excellent communication skills and a demonstrated ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
  
  
  

Requirements

• A.S./B.S. degree in biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, bioengineering, chemical engineering, or a related discipline; with 1+ yrs industrial experience
• Experience with standard bench scale purification techniques, such as centrifugation, FPLC, and cell lysis
• Experience with core protein analytical methods, including SDS-PAGE, ELISA, and colorimetric assays like BCA or Pierce660
• Familiarity with molecular biology techniques, including PCR or microbial transformation, is a plus
• Familiarity with SQL and/or Python a plus
  
  
  

$5,833.33 - $7,500 a month

This is a six-month fixed-term position with the possibility of extension based on business needs, performance, and other factors.

This position is eligible for a completion bonus at the end of the initial six-month period.

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every single requirement. Studies show that individuals from historically underrepresented groups, including women, are less likely to apply unless they meet all qualifications. We value diverse experiences and perspectives, and we believe skills can be transferable. If this role excites you, we’d love to hear from you!