Senior Associate Scientist I/II - Protein Testing

Arzeda is solving some of today's hardest and most meaningful problems, from food and nutrition to sustainable materials and homecare, by designing proteins that have the limitless potential to change everyone's daily life. Our team has developed Intelligent Protein Design Technology™ that merges computational protein design, machine learning, and synthetic biology tools to produce proteins, enzymes, and bio-based processes more efficiently than Mother Nature. A deep tech, mission-driven company, we are passionate about our mission to design novel proteins and products that enhance our lives and protect our planet. At Arzeda, we value a strong desire to learn, innovate, and be continuously challenged.
We are seeking a detail-oriented Senior Associate Scientist to join our highly collaborative Protein Testing team. You'll play a critical role in Arzeda's design-test cycle by generating and characterizing protein that directly informs scientific decisions and supports program advancement. As a rigorous, self-starting experimentalist with hands-on experience in protein expression, purification, and characterization, you'll generate the decision-quality data that drives protein performance improvement. This role is roughly 75% lab work and 25% data analysis, reporting, and collaboration, and reports to a senior member of the team.
This is an onsite role based at Arzeda in Seattle, Washington. Nestled among the historic and artistic neighborhoods of Ballard, Fremont, and Queen Anne, you'll find the right balance of activities and relaxation. Whether you're indulging your inner foodie at one of many unique restaurants, drinking a craft beverage after a day at the beach, or enjoying a picturesque walk through the Sunday Market, you'll be proud to call Seattle your home.

Responsibilities

• Conduct small and mid-scale expression of bacteria and yeast strains (plate- and flask-based)
• Perform small, mid, and large-scale purification of proteins from bacteria and yeast hosts (plate-based, resins, magnetic beads, gravity columns, FPLC)
• Perform basic protein quantification and characterization techniques (SDS-PAGE, LabChip, plate-based protein quant methods, etc.)
• Collaboratively plan and execute experiments while using your expertise and project awareness to adapt to changes as needed
• Grow your coverage of project workflows by executing biochemical assays using the protein you produced
• Independently propose, plan, and execute improvement projects to make our workflows more robust, higher throughput, and more reproducible
• Contribute to reporting of experimental results and participate in technical discussions during project meetings
• Partner with automation, software, and data infrastructure teams to implement robotic liquid handling, assay orchestration, and streamlined data analysis pipelines
• Maintain accurate documentation of experimental results within our LIMS system
• Support team members with general project activities and other work as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 4+ years of relevant industry experience OR Master’s degree with 2+ years of relevant industry experience in Biocatalysis, Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, Chemistry or other related field
• In-depth knowledge and hands-on experience with protein expression, purification, quantification, and characterization
• Experience designing or operating automated experimental workflows and high-throughput systems strongly preferred
• Experience evaluating data sets, putting together reports, and presenting findings and/or results from data analysis
• Initiative to independently identify, understand, and resolve experimental challenges
• Strong attention to detail
• Desire to communicate openly within a team and be receptive to feedback and learning opportunities
• Adaptable to changing plans as needed to meet goals
• Ability to work onsite, Monday - Friday with some occasional weekend work
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds

Nice-to-haves (not required)

• Interest in coding or Python for data visualization and analysis
• Cell-free protein synthesis experience
• Hands-on experience programming a variety of automation equipment

Why this role (the sell)

• Ownership at the center of the science. You own protein production activities that directly enable Arzeda's design-test cycle.
• Technical variety. Work across multiple protein and assay systems, ideal if you like breadth and real problem-solving.
• Real product relevance. You'll contribute to programs already in commercialization, including an initial project tied to an industrial enzyme application headed for widely used consumer products.
• Genuinely collaborative team. Specialists in adjacent areas (DNA and strain build, analytical chemistry, protein design) and teams that help each other solve problems rather than operating in silos.

Arzeda compensation and benefits

• Comprehensive compensation package, to include equity
• Base salary of $92k to $115k depending on experience
• Participation in company bonus program
• Paid time off; company-observed holidays to include a company paid holiday closure between Dec 25 and Jan 1; and paid medical/family leave
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance to include options for Health Savings Accounts
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Commuter benefits

Arzeda is an equal opportunity employer promoting diversity and inclusion in the workspace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding), genetic information, taking or requesting statutorily protected leave, or any other basis protected by law.
Legal authorization to work in the United States is required. We are not able to sponsor individuals for employment visas for this position. This position is based in our Seattle, WA location. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Arzeda is an equal opportunity employer promoting diversity and inclusion in the workspace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding), genetic information, taking or requesting statutorily protected leave, or any other basis protected by law.

Legal authorization to work in the United States is required. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.