Summary

Kingdom is at an inflection point. Demand for our Superculture® pet ingredients is accelerating, and we are preparing to commercialize our first human ingredient. Every one of those ingredients starts in the same place: our biobank. Growing and maintaining that collection of microbes, and generating the sequencing data that tells us what we have, is foundational to everything we build. The Research Associate II, Microbiology is at the center of that work. You will join our lab team to own day-to-day biobanking and sequencing operations, from processing new sources and isolating novel strains, to keeping our existing collection healthy, to running PCR, library prep, and sequencing.

Job description

About the role

Kingdom is at an inflection point. Demand for our Superculture® pet ingredients is accelerating, and we are preparing to commercialize our first human ingredient. Every one of those ingredients starts in the same place: our biobank. Growing and maintaining that collection of microbes, and generating the sequencing data that tells us what we have, is foundational to everything we build. The Research Associate II, Microbiology is at the center of that work. You will join our lab team to own day-to-day biobanking and sequencing operations, from processing new sources and isolating novel strains, to keeping our existing collection healthy, to running PCR, library prep, and sequencing.

If you join, you will:

Grow and maintain Kingdom's biobank by obtaining, processing, and organizing sources, isolating new strains, regenerating older strains, and making and cataloging strain stocks
Culture and isolate microbes using rigorous aseptic technique, working with BSL-1 and BSL-2 strains and with anaerobes in our anaerobic chambers
Obtain pure isolates and prepare screening plates to support new projects
Run PCR and gel purification for Sanger sequencing needs
Own DNA extraction and library preparation for 16S/ITS and whole genome sequencing
Run qPCR assays and process the resulting data
Use liquid handlers to scale high-throughput methods, and troubleshoot and improve protocols along the way
Execute on in vitro cell-based models
Support experimental characterization of Superculture® ingredients

We're looking for you if you have:

A BS or MS in microbiology, molecular biology, or a related life-sciences field
1–2 years of hands-on experience in a microbiology or molecular biology lab, in academia or industry
Strong aseptic technique and direct experience isolating and culturing microbes, including preparing culture media
Hands-on experience with DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and sequencing library preparation
Meticulous execution and documentation habits, with bench work that others can trace and reproduce
Experience with lab automation, including liquid handlers
Strong organization, with the ability to juggle requests from multiple teams and meet turnaround commitments
A troubleshooting mindset and the drive to find and fix problems without waiting to be asked

Requirements

BS or MS in microbiology, molecular biology, or a related life-sciences field
1–2 years of hands-on experience in a microbiology or molecular biology lab, in academia or industry
Strong aseptic technique and direct experience isolating and culturing microbes, including preparing culture media
Hands-on experience with DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and sequencing library preparation
Meticulous execution and documentation habits
Experience with lab automation, including liquid handlers
Strong organization and ability to juggle requests from multiple teams
Troubleshooting mindset and drive to find and fix problems

Benefits

Medical, Vision & Dental Insurance
One Medical Membership
Teladoc Membership
Talkspace Membership
Flexible PTO
13 Paid Company Holidays
Paid Parental Leave
401(k) Plan
FSA Option
Commuter Benefit
Equity
Weekly Team Lunches

Company overview

Kingdom Supercultures is a biotechnology company founded in 2019 and headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. The company specializes in developing natural microbial cultures called 'Supercultures' that transform the consumer packaged goods industry. Using advanced microbiology, genomics, and machine learning, Kingdom creates novel natural ingredients by rearranging microbial strains found naturally in food into new combinations with enhanced functionalities. These Supercultures enable food, beverage, and personal care manufacturers to create plant-based products that taste like dairy, low-alcohol beverages with full flavor, and natural preservatives that work as effectively as artificial alternatives. The company's technology platform includes an expansive biobank of GRAS microbial strains, high-resolution strain characterization, and proprietary algorithms for predicting and assembling microbial communities. Kingdom has raised over $28.6 million in funding from prominent investors including Shine Capital, Sequoia Capital, Y Combinator, and Valor Equity Partners, positioning itself as a leader in natural ingredient innovation for the modern CPG industry.