Centaura is a Switzerland-based startup conducting cutting-edge research in the field of systems and molecular biology. We are a young, global team of ambitious thinkers making groundbreaking discoveries in aging research. We currently have active projects in the USA, UK, and Russia.
At Centaura, we believe that human aging can be slowed down, prevented and, ultimately, reversed, by applying profound, state-of-the-art biological and computational approaches. Our aim is to develop radical anti-aging treatments and translate our scientific findings into consumer products and services. We are looking for a highly qualified Scientist to join our Bioengineering Team. This team is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts (USA) and is responsible for developing one of our core projects.
About the project: Aging is a natural and multicausal phenomenon characterized by the accumulation of degenerative processes, underpinned by alterations and damage within molecular pathways. Existing anti-aging therapies have proven ineffective or resulted in only negligible benefits for specific subgroups of people (e.g. patients who already suffer from severe forms of diabetes or heart disease). Centaura aims to develop truly effective anti-aging therapies based on radical and innovative methods. We are accomplishing this by designing new tools that use biological engineering approaches to deliver well-regulated, precise, and holistic interventions that preserve health by slowing down or even reversing aging.
Position summary: Together with genetic engineering and bioinformatics specialists from our team, you will be responsible for constructing and testing novel genetic engineering tools.
Tasks
Responsibilities include:
Launching a new laboratory, outfitting it with supplies and equipment
Managing laboratory workflow
Participating in the design of new DNA constructs in the framework of the project
Planning and conducting experiments on mammalian cell cultures
Reporting research results to other team members and the project leader
Requirements
Required experience & skills:
PhD in molecular biology, cell biology, bioengineering or related field
Broad experience in laboratory techniques relating to cell-culture work: maintenance of cell lines, iPSC and primary cell cultures, cell transfection, cell sorting and flow cytometry, fluorescence-based imaging, chromatin immuno-precipitation, quantitative PCR
Experience with chromosome spreads, PCRs (various types), cloning (Gibson assembly, Golden Gate) and DNA transformation.
Any additional experience in next-generation sequencing and sequence analysis (CLIP-seq and DMS-seq), systems or computational biology, bioinformatics, or programming (Python, R, MySQL) is seen as a plus.
Personal qualities:
Highly motivated, eager and quick to learn, careful, organized, and reliable.
Works as well independently as they do within a team.
Critical thinking - ability to read, interpret, and analyze scientific literature.
Strong communication and presentation skills (verbal and written).
Strong organization, documentation and time management skills.
To apply for this position, please send your CV and a brief letter describing your research experience and interests.