Research Scientist

Job Description: We are seeking a highly motivated scientist to lead the R&D activities at Innatrix to support the discovery and development of peptide-based disease control leads. We are constructing a pipeline to identify novel target proteins in pathogens, and to design peptides to specifically bind to those targets. The position will involve experimentally validating the choice of the target proteins, and the efficacy of peptides. This requires a strong molecular/cellular biology skill set. You will work closely with our dedicated computational/AI team by translating their predictions into testable hypotheses at the bench and feeding high-quality experimental data back to refine the pipeline and advance product development. This is a bench-facing role in a small, fast-moving startup, so comfort performing multiple tasks, including shared responsibility for day-to-day lab operations, is essential.Other responsibilities will include general lab maintenance, serving as the technical representative in external collaboration and business-related meetings, and mentoring/training new hires and interns. The ideal candidate will have experience working both independently and in collaborations to drive company progress.  Key Responsibilities• Lead the identification, validation, and characterization of novel pathogen protein targets, and support development of peptides that interfere with their function• Design, develop, and optimize molecular and bioassay workflows; establish and maintain SOPs• Maintain plants and pathogen cultures for bioassays and product testing• Partner with the computational/AI team to design experiments that test in silico predictions and to generate high-quality data that informs model development• Define and execute project milestones for product development• Produce rigorous, well-documented data and data reports• Serve as the technical representative in external collaboration and business meetings• Mentor and train new hires and interns; contribute to general lab maintenance and operations.   Requirements:• MS or PhD in molecular biology, plant pathology, or a related field • Demonstrated experience with fundamental biology techniques including but not limited to PCR, qPCR, immunoblotting, and ELISA assays• Demonstrated experience with plant and/or pathogen bioassays • Experience in maintaining plants for bioassays and product testing• Experience in molecular and bioassay experimental development and optimization • Experience in protein characterization• Track record of defining and delivering product-development milestones• Highly organized and self-motivated, with strong communication skills and the ability to produce high-quality data and reports• Ability to establish and optimize SOPs.Preferred:• Experience in culturing, maintaining, and running bioassays with oomycetes or fungi • Familiarity with bioinformatic and AI workflows sufficient to collaborate effectively with a computational team• Demonstrated experience in project management.Anyone interested in this exciting position, please send your resume with a cover letter directly to Dr. Ted Kahn, Innatrix R&D Fellow, at ted.kahn@innatrix.comAbout InnatrixInnatrix, Inc., (Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, U.S.) is revolutionizing agriculture with over $4M in secured capital, two U.S. patents, and a cutting-edge biological pest and pathogen control platform, which combines state-of-the-art AI with true biological understanding of the interactions between crops and the organisms that damage them, to develop precisely targeted biological pesticides with new modes of action.