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The opportunity

At ZBiotics, we make genetically engineered probiotics that improve daily life. As a group of ambitious, yet down-to-earth individuals, we are fueled by two things: a love for science and a commitment to being people-first. GMO products like ours, designed to benefit individuals rather than corporations, are the future. Having already brought the world's first GMO probiotic to market, we believe it's our duty to set a high bar for product quality, safety, and transparency for others to follow.

In 2019, we launched the world's first product containing a genetically engineered probiotic: a 15mL probiotic drink designed to break down gut-derived acetaldehyde, the alcohol byproduct that leads to rough mornings after drinking. Since then, ZBiotics has gained considerable market traction and continues to grow year after year. With new, completely unique products on the way, our team is growing. We're looking for people as excited as we are to build this new category of consumer products.

This year, ZBiotics is getting ready to launch its second product: a genetically engineered probiotic, powered by the same technology as the first product, but with an entirely new function and benefit related to the microbiome and gut health. Specific details about the product will be discussed in the interview process.

Your Impact

As an experimentalist, you will conduct research to answer questions core to both our products on the market and those destined for the market. You will manage and expand the capabilities of our research lab space, test active strains using assays you have designed, coordinate with all departments in the company to understand and test product-related questions, and excel at communicating progress to a diverse team of stakeholders. You will have the opportunity to publish novel work and help build the analytics vertical at ZBiotics. Your work will not only impact the strength and quality of new ZBiotics products coming to market and on the market, but also redefine how we – and, by extension, the entire industry – think about designing GMOs for consumers.

Responsibilities

• Design and perform experiments to answer a range of product related questions
• Assay design for strain activity as part of new product development
• Testing existing products as part of quality assurance and ongoing improvement
• Managing a lab space, inventory, and ordering
• Participate in tech transfer, and co-author publications and patents
• Prioritize projects and be flexible to meet changing business needs

Desired experience

If your experience doesn't align perfectly but you are a dedicated, quick learner, please apply!

• Ph.D. or equivalent training/experience in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry or closely related field.
• 2+ years of hands on bench research and experimental design experience
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational, project management, and documentation skills
• Work well both independently and in a group/team setting
• Excitement and enthusiasm for developing genetically engineered probiotics that will actually be brought to market and ingested by consumers

Ideally (but not necessarily) the candidate will also have:

• Expert understanding of Bacillus spore biology
• First hand experience with academic paper writing and publishing

About our team

ZBiotics prioritizes building a healthy and inclusive culture where people thrive by being themselves and are inspired to do their best work every day. We embody the ZBiotics values of Humanity, Integrity, Citizenship, and Science.

• Humanity - We always put people first, especially our customers.
• Integrity - We communicate transparently and honestly (e.g. “proudly GMO” on every bottle of ZBiotics), and we deliver high quality.
• Citizenship - We are inclusive and committed to doing what's right.
• Science - We question our own assumptions, innovate, and adapt to new data.

Benefits

We believe in a life well-lived. ZBiotics offers competitive benefits for a life outside of work, including: health / dental, 401(k) contributions, a minimum PTO policy (with unlimited time off), parental leave, a home office stipend, transit benefits, dedicated lab space in Mountain View, and access to office space in San Francisco. For candidates living outside of the Bay Area, relocation benefits are available.

The starting salary for this position is $120,000 / year, and will include company equity. A presented offer may be higher, depending on qualifications and experience.

We encourage you to apply …

At ZBiotics, we value our differences, and we encourage all – especially those whose identities are underrepresented in tech organizations and STEM – to apply.