Sr./Research Associate
VitaKey is an exciting start-up developing and commercializing proprietary technology for controlled, targeted, extended, and sustained delivery of macronutrients, micronutrients, probiotics, biologics, and small molecules, to be included in everyday foods and beverages to improve human health. We are seeking innovative and motivated scientists and engineers to be part of the company's next-phase of growth at our Durham, NC HQ. Learn more about our company on our website at
Role Summary
We are seeking a Research Associate or Senior Research Associate to develop and test formulations for the delivery of probiotics. Responsibilities will involve performing routine analytical and bioanalytical testing for VitaKey formulations as well as routine maintenance of cells and probiotics. Responsibilities will also include collecting data for stability testing of VitaKey technologies. You will serve as a group contributor on project teams, with the expectation of advancing to lead projects independently. Projects will be highly interdisciplinary, at the intersection of engineering, biochemistry, materials science, food science and nutrition.
Duties and Responsibilities
· Prepare formulations of probiotics, develop extraction methods, and evaluate viability upon shelf storage
· Perform physical and chemical testing, including laser diffraction particle size analysis, microscopy, and water activity, of formulations to determine product specifications
· Maintain mammalian and probiotic stocks
· Design and execute experiments to characterize products
· Regularly use LIMS to clearly and accurately document results of analytical, characterization, and product testing
· Prepare reports including certificates of analysis, method validations, and statistical analysis of experiments
· Occasionally perform analytical method development for new payloads
· Work with fellow scientists within the group and with external laboratories, and present ideas and results
Qualifications
· BS/MS with 1-3 years’ experience in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, chemical engineering pharmaceutical sciences, food science, microbiology, or allied disciplines
· Candidates with 2+ uninterrupted years of experience within an academic research group are preferred
· Candidate must have exposure to UV-Vis, ELISA, qPCR, flow cytometry, and microbial culture (e.g., measuring viability) with regular use of at least 2 of these techniques
· Candidates must be familiar with common formulation techniques such as lyophilization, spray drying, or prilling.
· Mammalian cell culture experience is a plus
· Experience working with professionals from formulation science, chemical engineering, bioengineering, pharmaceutical sciences, polymer chemistry, food science or allied disciplines
· Experience generating, interpreting, and communicating experimental data
· Strict attention to documentation and recordkeeping
· Entrepreneurial and self-motivated work style
· Excellent cross-disciplinary skills in communicating technical ideas to both scientists and non-scientists
· Startup experience is highly valued, but not required
· Candidates must work full time on-site in Durham, NC
· Ability to adjust rapidly to changing scientific priorities and technologies
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