Scientist

Rubi is pioneering the next era of manufacturing with its proprietary enzyme cascade technology. Our cell-free biocatalysis platform converts waste carbon into high-value materials – including cellulose textiles, chemicals, and polymer ingredients – requiring a fraction of the energy use and capital investment of traditional manufacturing systems.

Our modular production systems are designed to be deployed anywhere, enabling us to establish resilient and decarbonized supply chains at projected cost parity with existing products. We've established partnerships with global manufacturers and retailers including Walmart, H&M, and Patagonia, and have been honored as World Economic Forum Technology Pioneers, MIT Tech Review 35 Innovators Under 35, European Patent Office Young Inventors Prize winners, and H&M Global Change Award winners.

As Rubi Laboratories continues to grow, we are expanding our team to support the full range of scientific expertise behind our technology. We are seeking a Scientist II/III/Sr. Scientist to collaborate closely with our engineers and scientists in executing experiments and supporting day-to-day operations. In this role, you will directly contribute to advancing our product and scaling the availability of our carbon-negative materials for leading global brands. This is an opportunity to build hands-on experience in a fast-paced startup environment while applying your expertise to develop solutions that drive meaningful environmental impact.

Responsibilities

• Apply computational, rational, and/or AI/ML approaches (e.g., protein language models, structure-based design, and other data-driven methods) to design and prioritize enzyme variants for production of robust biocatalysts

• Construct variant libraries informed by computational predictions, biochemical insight, and/or prior experimental data

• Develop tiered screening strategies to efficiently evaluate large libraries (e.g., high-throughput primary screens followed by quantitative secondary assays)

• Execute wet lab experiments including molecular cloning, protein expression and purification, and enzyme characterization

• Analyze experimental data to iteratively refine enzyme designs, computational models, and screening approaches

• Drive enzyme and cell-free pathway engineering efforts end-to-end, from initial concept through validated performance improvements

• Partner with Research Associates and Technicians to expand experimental throughput while maintaining data quality and reproducibility

• Contribute to internal workflows and infrastructure for integrating computational design with experimental pipelines

• Proactively consider real-world application constraints and customer requirements into project design strategy

Requirements/Qualifications

• PhD in Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, Bioengineering, Synthetic Biology, or a related field with 2+ years of post-PhD industry experience

• Demonstrated experience driving enzyme engineering projects end-to-end, integrating computational and/or ML-based design with experimental validation

• Strong foundation in enzymology, enzyme kinetics, and multi-enzyme pathway design

• Extensive hands-on experience with molecular biology techniques, including cloning, bacterial/fungal protein expression and purification, and enzyme assay development

• Proficiency with programming and scientific computing or ML tools, including the ability to evaluate and deploy open-source models for specific applications

• Experience designing and executing high-throughput or tiered screening strategies

• Strong experimental design and data interpretation skills with a track record of iterative improvement

• Experience in a startup or fast-paced, interdisciplinary R&D environment

• Ability and desire to work collaboratively with R&D scientists, process engineers, and leadership to tackle challenges

Nice-to-haves/Preferred

• Experience designing and/or optimizing cell-free enzymatic cascades through pathway balancing, cofactor management, and bottleneck identification

• Experience working with and/or engineering enzymes involved in cellulose or other polysaccharide/polymer biosynthesis, and/or membrane-associated or transmembrane enzymes

Rubi Laboratories is dedicated to providing a supportive work environment for all our employees. We provide a 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: $120,000 - $170,000 annually; actual compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and geographic location.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance (100% coverage of monthly fees of base plan for our employees and their dependents)

• 401K with up to 2% company match at 100%

• Generous equity

• Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) plus 16 Paid Company Holidays, including company-wide Winter break (1 week)

• Daily $12 meal credit through Forkable meal delivery M-F

• Free snacks in-office

• A mission-driven environment solving one of the world's most pressing sustainability challenges through cutting-edge biotechnology

• Hands-on experience with engineered enzyme platforms alongside a world-class interdisciplinary team

• Direct impact on breakthrough materials used by global brands, with the opportunity to help scale technology from lab to market

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.

This position is in our Alameda, CA headquarters and requires on-site presence to complete the required laboratory work described. Rubi Laboratories cannot offer relocation assistance for this position.

Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. Rubi Labs cannot offer employment visa sponsorship at this time.

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.