Scientist/Scientist I, Enzyme Development

POSITION SUMMARY:Cepheid is seeking a highly motivated and innovative Scientist to join and contribute to a group involved in producing novel enzymes used for in vitro molecular diagnostic tests.

The successful candidate will be able to apply biochemical engineering techniques to design, produce and characterize the enzymes.

This role will have the opportunity to influence the project strategy based on the clones engineered over the course of the research.

Key responsibilities include designing constructs, protein expression, protein purification, protein engineering, and biochemical analytical tasks.

The candidate should be highly proficient in the design of protein constructs, protein expression and purification as you will be central to the development of enzymes being engineered to match unique DNA/RNA amplification reactions.Cross-functional collaboration with other R&D scientists at Cepheid’s growing centers of excellence in Bothell, WA, Sunnyvale, CA, and Solna, Sweden, provides exposure to experts spanning the critical areas needed to support multifaceted research and development activities that contribute to the whole of this innovative approach (e.g., enzymologist, protein developers, assay developers, consumables and system engineering teams).

This open position resides within the larger Biotechnology R&D department with an initial focus on enzyme engineering for infectious disease assay development using a novel enzyme and amplification approach.

The candidate will be based in Bothell, WA.ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:+ Design constructs and perform all upstream and downstream activities required to produce pure enzymes for characterization.+ Develop, optimize and identify conditions for enzyme production from bacterial expression systems.+ Employ protein experience to identify and optimize protein purification processes from capture, intermediate and final polishing stages.+ Develop, perform and qualify assays to assess the enzymatic properties of novel proteins in a variety of formulations and conditions.+ Developing and/or identifying analytical methods required to functionally characterize the novel enzymes as a result of active site mutations and/or impact of domain fusion.+ Design and perform screening assays for characterizing enzyme formulations for activity retention under various storage conditions.+ Working experience using Akta/NGC purification systems and associated purification techniques including affinity, IEX, HIC, and SEC.+ Perform a leading role in DOE designs and studies to identify optimal enzyme formulations.+ Collaboratively interact with a multidisciplinary team for protein expression/isolation, activity assessment, formulation optimization and overall protein candidate advancement.+ Play an essential team role in laboratory instrument maintenance such as working with vendors for preventative maintenance and repairs along with typical upkeep between PM cycles.+ Present data and participate in scientific discussions at regular technical meetings.+ Ability to work independently with minimal direction as well as in a team environment.+ Operate in a regulated environment for prototype(s) advancing to IVD product development.MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:Education and Experience:+ Doctoral degree in field with 0-2 years of related work experience OR+ Master’s degree in field with 3+ years of related work experience OR+ Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of related work experience.+ Post-doctoral and/or relevant industry experience working in the protein engineering field.+ Degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, or related field.Knowledge and skills:+ Highly skilled in molecular cloning and mutagenesis to design vectors to be used for transformation and expression using bacterial expression systems.+ Demonstrated ability to design and plan protein expression strategies, followed by developing the protein purification processes.+ Working knowledge of analytical techniques used to support expression and isolation of the candidate biomolecules.

This will be achieved by applying various biophysical and biochemical techniques such as HPLC (SE-HPLC, IEX, RP-HPLC, or HIC-HPLC), spectroscopy techniques (UV-Vis, fluorescence), western blotting, thermal analysis, MALDI-TOF, and gel electrophoresis.+ Working knowledge of bioinformatic tools and databases.+ Experience with design of experiments (DoE) is highly desirable, along with experience working with statistical software such as Minitab or JMP, and proficiency with MS Office.+ Self-driven, collaborative, and flexible in an environment of changing demands and priorities.+ Excellent documentation, writing, communication, and organizational skills.+ Ability to work effectively in a team and matrix environments.Physical requirements/abilities:+ Ability to work in a BSL-2 laboratory environment+ Must be able to perform routine laboratory tasks.

Work may involve repetitive arm/wrist motions.Other:+ When it is safe to travel, some travel (20% or less) is expected between our Sunnyvale, CA, Bothell, WA, and Solna, Sweden, locations as well as external collaborators as needed.PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:+ Solid experience engineering proteins with desired properties.+ Leading work in construct design and molecular biology including DNA and RNA manipulations, cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, tag and fusion protein design, and molecular modeling software.+ Previous experience designing assays and studying enzymatic fidelity.

Studying enzymatic incorporation of modified triphosphates (base modification, sugar modifications or backbone modifications) is highly desired.+ Background in employing HTS techniques for engineered enzyme candidate advancement.+ Strong understanding of protein chemistry and protein analytics.+ Experience in protein engineering and molecular evolution techniques.+ Experience in enzyme kinetics.+ Experience performing intact mass spectrometry characterization of proteins.

Experience with Bruker ultrafleXtreme MALDI-TOF instrument is a plus.As part of Cepheid’s Biosafety and Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan, any associate who will be working with biohazardous materials, or those who are required to work where others are using biohazardous materials, will be required to show proof of Hepatitis B Vaccination and pass a biosafety training series.

For associates who are not vaccinated at time of hire, Cepheid will schedule Hepatitis B vaccination with our occupational health clinic at Cepheid’s expense.

The employee will be allowed to enter the labs following the first vaccine dose.Lab work in a BSL-2 environment is a core element of this position; any person hired must either have proof of Hepatitis B vaccination or plan on being vaccinated at Cepheid’s expense.

There may be other vaccines as required.Danaher Corporation and all Danaher Companies are equal opportunity employers that evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other characteristics protected by law.

The “EEO is the Law” poster is available here (ol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf) .Operating Company: Cepheid