Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Aquaculture & Fisheries

The Scientist, Molecular Biology, Aquaculture will design and validate gene based approaches to animal therapeutics and genetic improvement via novel approaches and Intrexon’s proprietary synthetic biology platform. The successful candidate will utilize their expertise in aquaculture disease, molecular biology and gene expression to contribute to the ongoing development of Intrexon’s technology for applications in Animal Sciences.

Responsibilities:

• Be a key leader of the Animal Sciences team that will plan, manage and execute pre-clinical development activities related to Animal Science programs.
• Author scientific reports and prepare related presentations for middle and upper management, related to results and business development efforts for the division.
• Seek, develop and qualify new technologies, reagents and assays.
• Improve components of current processes, and devise more efficient methods to support divisional goals.
• Design experiments and associated combinatorial vector sets to test specific hypotheses.
• Perform and document all method validation and therapeutic qualification studies.
• Participate in troubleshooting activities.
• Work closely with other Animal Sciences Division personnel, external contractors and exclusive channel collaborators, as applicable, to support technology transfer and collaborative projects.
• Perform site visits with outside contractors to assess technical capabilities and competency.
• Assist in maintenance of aquaculture unit to include fish and shrimp husbandry
• Execute design of proprietary RNA, DNA and nuclease based strategies
• Prepare reports, project descriptions and updates for internal and external customers and partners.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Cellular biology, Virology, Molecular biology, Genetics or related discipline, with significant experience in utilization of databases. 
• Experience with the use and design of double-stranded RNA.
• Experience in pathogenic diseases in animals, aquaculture focus preferred.
• Experience in maintaining animal species; shrimp, fish, livestock.
• Three to five (3-5) years’ experience in hypothesis driven laboratory work with skills in cell culture, cell transfection and transduction, immunoassays, quantitative PCR and molecular cloning.
• Experience with genetic engineering of complex transgenes that will translate into a desired function in cultured cells and organisms.
• Proficient in dsRNA design for use in antiviral strategies.
• Ability to thrive in team-based settings, work collaboratively in a team environment with scientists of different backgrounds and experience levels.
• Ability to achieve in a milestone-driven, rapidly changing research environment.
• Possess a high degree of personal responsibility.
• Ability to prioritize and re-prioritize activities as needed to accomplish unanticipated requests or initiate new projects requiring immediate attention.
• Excellent planning, organization, and execution skills.
• Demonstrates the highest ethical standards and trustworthiness.
• Good verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to handle the dynamic, fast-paced, and multi-tasking environment of a rapidly growing biotech company.
• Knowledge in cloning and general molecular biology experience is required.
• Advanced skills in technical literature search and analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to provide and apply creative solutions to maintain work flow.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.