Scientist I/II, Biochemistry

Rubi is ushering in an entirely new, planet-positive era for manufacturing. The team envisions a future in which consumers will expect all of their purchases to be made from carbon-negative materials. Their ultimate goal is to build the world’s most sustainable supply for all the important materials we rely on, including textiles, building materials, food, packaging, and more. 

Rubi decarbonizes supply chains, starting with the fashion industry.  Inspired by how trees grow, Rubi uses biochemical processes powered by enzymes at an industrial scale to “eat” carbon emissions and make carbon-negative, resource-neutral textiles for the fashion industry.  Rubi helps fashion brands achieve their sustainability commitments, increase customer loyalty, and ultimately increase revenue through its patent-pending, cell-free biocatalytic process, starting with lyocell.  Within the last year alone, Rubi’s game-changing technology has captured the interest of the scientific community, top investors, and global fashion brands.  It has test plans with global retail and fashion brands and has been featured in Vogue Business and TechCrunch.  And the company is just getting started!   

As Rubi Laboratories is growing, we are building our amazing team to cover all the scientific realms needed by our technology and currently we are looking to bring on a Scientist II focused on enzymology, enzyme stabilization chemistry, and multi-enzyme pathway engineering.  In addition to working with a cohesive, collaborative and action-oriented team, you will be receiving the benefits of all the exciting career and equity things that come with joining a company at this early stage.  Most importantly, your work will play a key impact for our product and how widely accessible this carbon-negative material is available to exciting, and well-known brands.  You will thrive in a fast-paced start-up environment and are passionate about dedicating your craft to the betterment of the world. 

In this role you will: 

• Self-direct your projects to achieve a high-level research goal informed by business needs. This will entail things like literature review, looking at emerging science from academic labs, coming up with new ideas for new systems that may not have been done before and bringing these ideas to life in lab-scale experiments. 
• Spend a significant part of the time (~70%) in the lab doing experiments and the other (~30%) reading literature & collaborating with cross-functional teams, ideating new innovations, and strategizing your own projects using the data and information you find.  
• Design and execute experiments with enzymes (including but not limited to designing and developing enzyme activity and stability assays, testing enzyme immobilization protocols, conducting analytical chemistry protocols like HPLC, etc).
• Implement your ideas, distill key insights, make recommendations on technical roadmap, and trouble-shoot laboratory processes and protocols.
• Propose new experiments and projects while including rationale as to "why" this approach makes sense.  
• Generate meaningful data through a thoughtful, well-designed and executed experiment.
• Present your findings and conclusions at company-wide check-ins.
• Balance speed and quality, with a focus on tangible results.
• Maintain a flexible and positive mindset as required in a start-up environment where we are building a new product through new technology.  Overcome obstacles that come up along the way.   

Qualified candidates have: 

• PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Biochemistry or related fields.  
• 3+ years of experience, in either an academic or industry setting, with experience in any of these areas: enzymology, enzyme kinetics, enzyme cascades in vitro, cofactor regeneration, industrial biocatalysis.
• Experience in driving dynamic research projects from start to finish. This includes tracking KPIs, determining timelines, and maintaining overall progression of projects.
• A track record of aligning strategy, resources, and prioritization with project goals.
• Excellent data presentation skills, both oral and written.
• Proven ability to work on a collaborative team in a scientific research environment and drive results. 

Nice-to-have (but not required): 

• Experience building and maintaining relationships with CROs. 
• Experience writing patents or translating inventions to patents. 
• Start-up company experience. 

Rubi Laboratories is dedicated to providing a supportive work environment for all our employees. We provide competitive salary, generous equity, and benefits in a rapidly growing venture-backed company with all the exciting career and growth opportunities that come with it. 

• Compensation: $115,000 - $130,000 annually, actual compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and geographic location. 
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance (100% coverage of monthly fees of base plan for our employees)
• 401K with up to 6% company match
• Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) and 27 Paid Company Holidays, including company-wide Winter break (2 weeks) and Summer break (1 week)
• Generous equity 
• Free healthy breakfast and snacks in-office
• Forkable meal service delivered to office with $9 meal credit, 5 days per week

We are excited to explore applicants with all different backgrounds so if you think you have the experience, please apply!  Rubi Laboratories is dedicated to establishing a diverse employee base and especially encourages applicants from backgrounds that are most affected by the impacts of global climate change.   

This position is located in our San Leandro, CA headquarters and requires on-site presence to complete required laboratory work described. Rubi Laboratories is unable to offer relocation assistance at this time for this position.   

Rubi Laboratories requires employees to be fully vaccinated, including a booster shot, against COVID-19 unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation. Proof of such vaccination will be required as part of the hiring process.  

Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. Rubi Labs may agree to sponsor an individual for an employment visa now or in the future if there is a shortage of individuals with particular skills for this job. 

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.