Jobs at Concerto Biosciences

We invite you to join our R&D team as a Research Associate and accelerate our goal to discover microbial and microbe-based products. Characteristic responsibilities include collecting and cataloging microbes from natural communities, designing and performing molecular biology and microbiology experiments to support advancement of microbial, prebiotic, and postbiotic product candidates, supporting day-to-day laboratory logistics and organization, and assisting with high-throughput screening using Concerto's novel technology ("kChip"). You'll need to be meticulous with your lab work and documentation, highly communicative, and able to work closely with a team of other scientists as well as the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO).

While lab experience is required, we don't expect you to have experience performing all of the responsibilities listed below. Indeed, just as you help Concerto grow, we hope to contribute to your intellectual and professional growth as a scientist. You'll have the opportunity to gain new skills by working with our world-class team, and you'll also have the opportunity to advance within the company by taking on higher responsibility roles.

• Support the expansion of our biobanks by isolating, culturing, and characterizing microbes from a variety of sample types following standardized protocols
• Perform microbiology experiments, including characterizing microbes in the biobank using techniques such as outgrowth in microtiter plates, fluorescence-based assays, and microscopy
• Use basic molecular biology techniques such as DNA/RNA extraction and qPCR
• Support general laboratory operations by taking on tasks such as routine media preparation, in-house kChip fabrication (bespoke training to take place upon joining), and maintenance of a highly organized lab (in collaboration with an operational technician and other scientists)
• Assist with high-throughput biology using our experimental screening platform kChip
• Potential to assist the product development team with microbial fermentation and manufacturing work as needed
• Maintain meticulous records, including documenting experimental procedures and data using our LIMS system and contributing to the development of new protocols
• Order and maintain stocks of reagents and supplies
• Ship packages and communicate with collaborators
• Contribute to individual and team success; frequently give and receive feedback to and from the team
• Consult colleagues and the scientific literature, as needed, to develop professional expertise and support ongoing and future projects
• Embody Concerto's core values in your work

Required Qualifications:

• A B.S. in Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, and/or other related field
• Experience in a microbiology or biology-adjacent related research lab (can be concurrent with degree)
• Experience with foundational biology lab techniques (e.g. pipetting/liquid handling, safely handling chemicals/reagents, waste management)
• Experience with microbiology (e.g. growth assays) and/or molecular biology techniques (e.g. PCR, cloning)
• Demonstrated ability to work excellently in teams, as well as independently
• Demonstrated ability to closely follow standardized methods and protocols
• Outstanding oral and written communication, data documentation, and organizational skills
• Ability to work on site at Concerto's laboratory in the Cambridge/Boston, MA area
• Energized by a rapidly changing environment and excited to adapt research plans accordingly
• Passion for science, discovery, and/or human health and an eagerness to learn

Preferred Qualifications:

• ≥1 year of full-time experience in a laboratory, and ideally within a fast-paced start-up environment
• Experience with isolation of bacterial strains from environmental samples
• Experience working with a diversity of microorganisms, including anaerobes
• Familiarity with cGMP laboratory practices