Intern - Strain Characterization

About Pivot Bio:   

Fueled by an innovative drive and a deep understanding of the soil microbiome, Pivot Bio is pioneering game-changing advances in agriculture. Our products harness the power of naturally occurring microbes to provide nutrients to crops and new sustainable ways for farmers to reduce the usage of fertilizers as they work to help feed the world’s growing population. 

Read/Hear more about Pivot Bio on Forbes or PBS News Hour.  

Position:  Strain Characterization  

Schedule: Summer 2023 Internship May - August 2023  

Location: Berkeley, CA

The Strain Characterization team is looking for a passionate microbiologist with analytical chemistry experience to join our In Vitro Microbial Characterization team in our pursuit to characterize our extensive microbial libraries. You will work closely with several teams within R&D including Strain engineers, automation, and Culture Collection.  

Responsibilities:  

In this role, an intern will:  

• Screen our diazotroph library for oxygen and carbon preferences under nitrogen-fixing conditions  
• Comparative analysis of engineered strains and their parent strains to understand the impacts our edits have on carbon and oxygen preferences 
• Define optimal growth conditions for low performing strains in both non-fixing and fixing conditions  
• Comprehensive data packages including:  
•  Preferred rich and diazotrophic liquid media including growth kinetics  
• Oxygen preference for diazotrophic activity  
• Growth rate relative to WT under diazotrophic conditions  

 Physical Demands:  

• Routinely walking, scouting, sampling, and working in production corn fields with varying summer elements 
• Driving between farm sites and other locations as needed 
• Regularly lifting objects (up to 60lbs) 

Qualifications and Experience:  

• Currently pursuing a PhD in Microbiology or related field 
• Valid driver’s license with a safe driving record  
• Strong verbal and written communication skills 
• Ability to self-manage time and execute on assigned responsibilities 
• Must live in assigned territory 
• Must be at least 20 years old for rental car purposes.  

*Must be authorized to work in the United States  

What we offer:  

• Opportunity to gain professional experience in a progressive company 
• Exciting opportunity to work with a talented and fun team