Position Overview:

The Science Unit is responsible for designing and implementing the mission experiment, probing the dynamic response of S. cerevisiae‘s proteome in the conditions of Low Earth Orbit, and analyzing the generated data. Our work includes genetic modifications of the studied organism, utilizing the C-SWAT mNeonGreen Yeast Library, as well as developing and integrating DNA damage sensing and memory circuits. A specialized microfluidic chip assembly is combined with a tailor-made miniaturized imaging system to enable long term, multi-parallel culturing and observation, respectively.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Experience in handling laboratory equipment
  • Able to adhere to lab safety conditions
  • Capable of respecting the interpersonal dynamics in a shared laboratory facility
  • Familiar with microbiology principles and working with microorganisms (e.g. bacteria, yeast)

Any of the below Qualifications are a plus:

  • A strong sense of commitment and responsibility
  • Capable of working well in multidisciplinary groups of peers
  • Passionate about learning and applying quantitative and engineering concepts to biology
  • Capable of navigating previously unknown fields
  • Ability to design and execute a research agenda
  • Ability to speak and write in English fluently and idiomatically

About the Position:

Join us for a long-term work experience that offers personal and professional development, as well as community-building. As a biomolecular engineer, you will obtain expertise in quantitative biology, biophysics and bioinformatics and applying it to tackling questions that arise throughout the project. Biomolecular Engineers will work closely with Payload Engineers to manufacture an imaging system, drawing from fluorescence principles to observe gene expression and DNA damage in flux. Towards that goal, they will also help bring the PDMS chip platform to life, tapping into biophysics concepts, to ensure the design is up to par with the ambitious mission needs.

Additionally, you will learn how to combine approaches ranging from synthetic biology and genetic engineering to yeast biology. More specifically, you will design and clone genetic circuits operating as intracellular sensors. You will also conduct research on ways to maximize spore germination efficiency in-orbit, and develop conditions enabling long-term microorganism storage. Finally, you will have the chance to contribute to protocol optimization, ever increasing the chances for mission success.

If you additionally want to enrich your knowledge by building a bioinformatics-centered skillset, you may get your feet wet and employ pre-experiment pipelines meant for gene selection and more. You will also have the chance to work on data analysis in a scientific computing language such as R, Python, or Julia.

Responsibilities:

  • Participate in cutting edge research to realize a space-biology scientific mission

Note: The Biomolecular Engineer, Electrical Engineer, and Payload Engineer positions are neither mutually exclusive nor destined for one recruit each! Rather, they represent all different types of work performed in the subsystem.

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