Pairwise is a mission-driven food+tech company dedicated to building a healthier world through better fruits and vegetables. Founded in 2017 by eminent scientists in the gene editing and biotechnology fields, Pairwise holds licenses from Harvard and Massachusetts General Hospital to base editing and high-fidelity enzymes. We also are tuned in to consumer food trends, and we believe that consumers deserve more variety and innovation in their fresh food choices. Our team is primed to deliver that innovation through one of the best gene-editing platforms in food and agriculture. Pairwise has an exclusive 5-year research collaboration with Bayer to develop products in corn, soybean, wheat, canola, and cotton. Plus, Pairwise is developing new types of leafy greens, berries, and stonefruit, with the first product expected in early 2022. Pairwise is based in the start-up friendly Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina.

Pairwise believes healthy food should be affordable, convenient, and sustainable.  We use the latest technologies to accelerate plant breeding in leveraging the natural genetic diversity in agricultural crops to address global food challenges. Pairwise is seeking a motivated research associate to join the Genome Editing Technologies – Protein Science team and be part of our technology and product development. The research associate will work under the direction of a research scientist to generate data for CRISPR/Cas gene editing tools. The successful candidate will use cell biology techniques to characterize gene editing enzymes. The research associate will work in a highly collaborative, cross-functional environment towards team and company goals. Your contribution will be critical to help Pairwise meet technology and product development goals, and to build a culture where science is fun.

 

Essential Functions

• Work under the direction of a research scientist using defined protocols
• Use cell biology techniques including eukaryotic cell culture, microscopy, plasmid purification and transfection, cell harvesting, genomic DNA extraction, and agarose gel electrophoresis
• Learn new techniques to further development as an industrial scientist
• Keep detailed records of experiments and enter data into electronic notebooks
• Present data to the Protein Science team on a weekly basis
• Collaborate across other R&D groups and contribute to overall success within the organization

Required Education and Experience

• BS in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Biology, or related field with experience in laboratory science
• Training in eukaryotic cell culture and sterile techniques
• Molecular biology training (plasmid purification using kits, agarose gel electrophoresis, DNA quantification)
• Ability to communicate effectively to other scientists, business partners, and collaborators
• Follows laboratory safe practices, including use of PPE, SDSs and proper handling and disposal of laboratory waste