Scientist - Electrochemical Enzyme Assay Development and Testing
You must have electrochemistry background.
You must have enzymology experience.We are seeking a detail-oriented Scientist to join our highly collaborative Protein Testing Team. You will play a critical role in the continued development of our enzyme engineering platform at Arzeda to rapidly screen and optimize enzyme functions by developing high-throughput, automation-ready assay workflows that accelerate enzyme screening, characterization, and experimental iteration.
Using your deep knowledge of electrochemistry, enzymology, including enzyme kinetics, protein characterization, analytical biochemistry, , and HT-assay development and troubleshooting you will contribute to impactful projects across the company.
Responsibilities:- Develop robust high throughput enzyme assays for bioelectro-conversions or bioconversions.
- Evaluate enzyme performance using electrochemical assays, and traditional enzyme assays, using absorbance, fluorescence, and HPLC/MS to detect and quantify products, cofactors, and reaction mediators.
- Contribute to and become an owner of experimental design to drive efficient identification of enzymes with desired properties
- Perform cell-free expression, and high-throughput or mid-scale protein preparation, as needed.
- Design, optimize, and scale automation-compatible assay workflows to increase experimental throughput, reproducibility, and data quality.
- Partner with automation, software, and data infrastructure teams to implement robotic liquid handling, assay orchestration, and streamlined data analysis pipelines.
- Identify experimental bottlenecks and develop strategies to reduce assay cycle time and increase design-build-test-learn iteration speed.
- Develop, optimize, and perform laboratory SOPs.
- Interface with upstream (e.g., Protein Design, Strain Design, and Genetic Design-Build teams) and downstream teams and (Fermentation and Downstream Processing teams) for efficient data exchange and transfer of materials.
- Operate and maintain electrochemistry equipment.
Qualifications:- Ph.D. in Bioelectrocatalysis, Biocatalysis, Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, Chemistry or other related field, or 4+ years of experience in a Masters or industry role.
- In-depth knowledge and hands-on experience with enzyme characterization.
- Experience developing enzyme assays, especially for biocatalysis or bioconversions.
- Experience designing or operating automated experimental workflows and high-throughput assay systems strongly preferred.
- Understanding of redox chemistry and thermodynamics.
- Experience developing and characterizing enzymes and enzyme-electrode interfaces including direct and/or mediated electron transfer using spectroscopic and electrochemical methods.
- Understanding of Marcus and Butler-Volmer theory pertaining to electrocatalysis, ideally additionally familiar with hydride transfer theory and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
- Experience working in a glovebox/bag.
- Experience evaluating data sets, putting together reports, and presenting findings and/or results from data analysis.
- Desire to communicate openly within a team and be receptive to feedback and learning opportunities.
- Adaptable to changing plans as needed to meet goals.
Nice-to-haves (not required, but team members who do well here happily grow in these areas):- Python and/or R
- Hands-on experience with automation equipment
- Understanding of HPLC or LC/MS for small molecules and proteins.
Arzeda compensation and benefits include:- Base salary of $101,000 to $140,000 depending on experience
- Comprehensive compensation package, to include equity
- Paid time off; company-observed holidays to include a company paid holiday closure between Dec 25 and Jan 1; and paid medical/family leave
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance to include options for Health Savings Accounts
- 401(k) retirement savings plan
- Commuter benefits
