Sr. Research Associate- Protein Biochemistry

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Vylor is seeking a highly motivated and collaborative Senior Research Associate- Protein Biochemistry to join the Protein Engineering Group. This role will support the design, construction, expression, screening, and characterization of engineered proteins that enable biotechnology and gene-edited seed product development.

The successful candidate will combine strong hands-on laboratory capabilities with computational fluency and disciplined data stewardship. This person will work within high-throughput design-build-test-learn workflows, use artificial intelligence and protein modeling tools to support experimental decisions, and maintain accurate, searchable experimental records and biological entities in Benchling.

This role is well suited for a technically strong research associate who enjoys solving practical laboratory and data challenges, learning new technologies, and working closely with scientists and cross-functional partners to advance protein engineering programs.

Responsibilities - What You’ll Do:

• Execute protein engineering experiments, including molecular cloning, mutagenesis, library construction, recombinant protein expression, purification, and functional screening.

• Generate and evaluate engineered protein variants to improve activity, stability, expression, specificity, processing, or other product-relevant attributes.

• Operate within high-throughput design-build-test-learn workflows and contribute to continuous improvement of screening, automation, and sample-tracking processes.

• Use computational and AI-enabled tools for sequence analysis, protein structure prediction, variant assessment, data visualization, and experimental planning.

• Use Benchling to register sequences and constructs, maintain accurate experimental records, organize datasets, track samples and reagents, and support team data standards.

• Analyze biochemical, biophysical, and functional data; summarize findings; identify trends or inconsistencies; and recommend logical next experiments in partnership with project scientists.

• Perform protein characterization using methods such as SDS-PAGE, ELISA, HPLC, LC/MS, binding assays, activity assays, or related analytical techniques.

• Collaborate across protein engineering, molecular biology, analytical sciences, automation, bioinformatics, data science, and trait discovery teams.

• Prepare clear technical summaries, protocols, presentations, and data packages for project reviews and development decisions.

• Maintain high standards for safety, scientific rigor, reproducibility, data quality, documentation, and laboratory organization.

• Troubleshoot experimental workflows, identify root causes, and implement practical solutions with appropriate guidance.

• Stay current with emerging protein engineering, automation, computational biology, and AI technologies and help evaluate their application to internal workflows.

Qualifications- What You’ll Need:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in biochemistry, protein engineering, molecular biology, biotechnology, structural biology, bioinformatics, chemical biology, or a related field, with relevant research or industry laboratory experience.

• Hands-on experience with molecular biology and recombinant protein workflows, such as cloning, mutagenesis, expression, purification, and protein analysis.

• Working knowledge of protein biochemistry and protein structure-function relationships.

• Experience using computational tools for biological sequence analysis, protein structure visualization or prediction, data analysis, or experimental design.

• Experience applying AI-enabled tools to scientific workflows or demonstrated ability to learn and responsibly use AI tools for protein engineering and data analysis.

• Required hands-on experience using Benchling for electronic laboratory documentation, sequence and construct registration, sample tracking, data organization, and related workflows.

• Ability to analyze multidimensional experimental data, recognize quality issues, and communicate conclusions clearly.

• Demonstrated ability to execute multiple experiments with strong attention to detail, organization, and follow-through.

• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary R&D environment.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills and a commitment to safety, data integrity, and reproducible science.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with directed evolution, rational or semi-rational protein design, library screening, or display technologies.

• Experience with high-throughput screening, laboratory automation, liquid handling, or data pipelines that connect experimental design and results.

• Familiarity with protein modeling tools such as AlphaFold, Boltz, Chai, PyMOL, ChimeraX, Rosetta, or related platforms.

• Basic proficiency in Python, R, command-line tools, notebooks, or other approaches for data processing, visualization, and workflow automation.

• Experience integrating computational predictions with experimental protein engineering decisions.

• Experience with mammalian, microbial, insect, or other recombinant protein expression systems.

• Experience in agricultural biotechnology, biologics discovery, enzyme engineering, antibody engineering, or another protein-focused R&D environment.

• Familiarity with experimental design, statistical analysis, version-controlled workflows, or structured scientific data standards.

***Please note there is no visa sponsorship provided for this role.

Benefits – How We’ll Support You:

• Numerous development opportunities offered to build your skills

• Be part of a company with a higher purpose and contribute to making the world a better place

• Health benefits for you and your family on your first day of employment

• Four weeks of paid time off and two weeks of well-being pay per year, plus paid holidays

• Excellent parental leave which includes a minimum of 16 weeks for mother and father

• Future planning with our competitive retirement savings plan and tuition reimbursement program

• Learn more about our total rewards package here - Corteva Benefits (https://hrportal.ehr.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=2Nre68t3vrs%3d&portalid=351)

• Check out life at Vylor! https://www.linkedin.com/company/vylorgenetics/

Are you a good match? Apply today! We seek applicants from all backgrounds to ensure we get the best, most creative talent on our team.

Corteva announced to separate our current advanced seed and genetics business to establish a standalone company, operating as Vylor, Inc. The process of the planned separation is anticipated to be completed the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to legal requirements and board approval. Should you accept this position, it is anticipated that, following conclusion of the separation, you would be an employee of Vylor, Inc. and your employment would be governed by Vylor, Inc. employment processes, programs, policies, and benefit plans. In that case, details of any planned changes would be provided to you by Vylor, Inc. at an appropriate time and subject to any necessary consultation processes.

Vylor is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embracing our differences to enrich lives, advance innovation, and boost company performance. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, military or veteran status, pregnancy related conditions (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), disability or any other protected status in accordance with federal, state, or local laws.

Corteva Agriscience™ is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to boldly embracing the power of inclusion, diversity, and equity to enrich the lives of our employees and strengthen the performance of our company, while advancing equity in agriculture. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability or any other protected class. Discrimination, harassment and retaliation are inconsistent with our values and will not be tolerated. If you require a reasonable accommodation to search or apply for a position, please visit:Accessibility Page for Contact Information

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