Join our Team!

Werewool is an early stage biotech company based in New York City that is developing biodegradable fibers with inherent, DNA-programmed performance properties for the textile industry. Mimicking the way nature achieves aesthetics and functional performance, Werewool designs proteins to give our fibers material properties like stretch, color, and water resistance, without the use of plastics, dyes, or finishes. Our goal is to offer the fashion and textile industry a raw material that offers independence from the far reaching environmental impacts of conventional plastic textile fibers, toxic dyes, and finishing processes.

Sr. Scientist - Protein Engineering

We're searching for a seasoned Sr. Scientist, Protein Engineer to join Werewool’s dynamic Brooklyn lab. If you're passionate about pioneering change in the textile industry, we want you! Collaborate closely with senior leadership as you drive innovation, specializing in protein expression for sustainable fibers. Under the guidance of our Director of R&D, you will have the opportunity to lead impactful projects, shape strategies, and be a force for sustainability.

Join us on this exciting journey!

Requirements:

MSc or Ph.D. in protein science, biochemistry, or a related field.
Over 5 years (8+ years for MSc holders) of hands-on experience in protein chemistry, expression, purification, and protein engineering; knowledgeable in protein structure analyses.
Required experience in molecular biology, including gene design, vector construction, and DNA sequence analysis, with a preference for scarless methods (Gibson, Golden Gate, recombineering).
Special consideration for candidates with expertise in handling self-assembling and structural proteins.
Strong proficiency in protein purification methodologies, including various types of precipitation, affinity chromatography, ion exchange, hydrophobic interaction, and size exclusion; extensive experience in designing and troubleshooting protein purification schemes.
Experience in the operation and maintenance of AKTA or equivalent systems.
Extensive expertise in bacterial and yeast-secreted expression, including optimization of expression and process development from small-scale purification to large-scale protein production.
Desirable previous experience in managing bioreactors or fermenters.
Expertise in medium to high-throughput screening methods.
Mastery of standard protein quality assessment techniques, including SDS-PAGE, SEC- MALS, DLS, Western Blot, CD, fluorescence-based assays, and enzyme-linked functional assays.
High attention to detail, with a focus on learning new skills and adhering to quality standards.
Proven ability to actively solve problems, think critically and creatively, and work on agreed priorities.
Excellent interpersonal skills and a willingness to collaborate within a highly cross-functional team environment.
Strong team player, capable of holding professional discussions with individuals of diverse personalities and work styles.
Excellent organizational, verbal, and written communication skills.
This position is located at our Brooklyn, NY headquarters and requires on-site presence to complete required laboratory work described.

Scope of Responsibilities:

Lead technical projects for the department as the subject matter expert and report updates back to internal stakeholders on progress.
Utilize modeling, computational, and structural biology methods to design novel proteins for superior performance in bio-based textiles.
Perform molecular biology techniques to engineer, express, and characterize proteins while combining a variety of biochemical and biophysical techniques.
Apply your knowledge of protein properties to ensure engineered proteins withstand various fiber processing conditions.
Utilize medium to high throughput screening methods using plate readers in the lab to rapidly assess the performance and stability of designed proteins.
Gather and interpret experimental data and share findings during team meetings.
Write and review Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for regulatory filing, laboratory duties, experiment design, data analysis, instruction operation, and maintenance.
Collaborate closely with materials science counterparts to understand the workflow and ensure alignment with the engineered proteins.
Work closely with RAs to achieve project goals.

Compensation:

$125,000 - $170,000
Salary commensurate with experience. Please send a statement of interest and resume to hello@werewool.bio

U.S. Work Authorization:

U.S. Work Authorization is required however the company is willing to hire international students.

The company does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other reason prohibited by law.

Principal Scientist - Materials and Polymer Chemistry

We have an exciting opportunity available to a motivated and self-directed scientist to lead our R&D efforts in a new biopolymeric system with Werewool’s engineered proteins and achieve targeted performance within a green chemistry framework. The candidate will be working with our team in a highly interdisciplinary, fast paced environment, and designing, executing and overseeing experiments in areas of polymer chemistry with a focus on crosslinking polymeric systems.

Requirements:

PhD in Polymer Chemistry, Material Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or a related discipline.
Extensive hands-on experience with polymer synthesis and formulation of resins or solutions to characterize them.
Expert in polymer characterization techniques and analysis including but not limited to rheology, FTIR, DSC, TGA, and etc.
15+ years of relevant industrial experience in polymer synthesis or formulation development
In-depth knowledge of green chemistry and experience applying these principles to materials development and innovation is desired.
Self-starter who desires to learn and work collaboratively across different scientific disciplines to develop Werewool’s fibers, including molecular biology, polymer chemistry, and textile engineering.
Previous experience working with bio-composites and hybrid materials is a plus.
A passion to see a better future for our planet.

Scope of Responsibilities:

Design and conduct experiments to create innovative strategies for producing bio-compostable fibers for textile applications, using Werewool’s engineered proteins and polymers based on their molecular-level structure-function relationships.
Translate business needs into research strategies, engage with internal and external stakeholders to identify and evaluate new ideas, and develop the necessary fundamentals to bring new chemistry from concept to commercial success.
Utilize characterization techniques to develop critical formulation screening tools and responsible for developing structure and property relationships in polymer chemistry.
Apply scientific/technical expertise to identify and provide viable solutions to resolve complex development issues in chemistry and process.
Collaborate closely with the protein engineering team to develop formulating chemistry and formulation experimental strategies, design and execute experiments, analyze results, and report progress .
Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to junior team members, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence in polymer science

Compensation:

$160,000 - $190,000
Salary commensurate with experience. Please send a statement of interest and resume to hello@werewool.bio

U.S. Work Authorization:

U.S. Work Authorization is required however the company is willing to hire international students.

Senior Research Associate - Polymer fiber Development

We have an exciting opportunity available to a motivated and self-directed research associate to support our R&D program in polymer science and fiber development in a green chemistry framework. The candidate will be working with our team in a highly interdisciplinary, fast paced environment, and designing and executing experiments in areas of chemical engineering and materials science with a focus on material development, characterization, and fiber processing.

Requirements:

Masters degree (or Bachelors degree with 3+ years laboratory/industry experience) in Polymer Science, Fiber Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or a related discipline.
Experience with chemical or materials characterization techniques such as FTIR, DSC, TGA, other spectroscopies, and tensile mechanical testing and characterization.
Knowledge of the principles of green chemistry and experience applying these principles to materials development and innovation.
Desire to learn and work collaboratively across different scientific disciplines to support development of Werewool fibers, including protein engineering, polymer chemistry, and textile engineering.
Basic knowledge of molecular biology and synthetic chemistry and/or industry experience in polymer processing is desirable.
The ideal candidate for this role should have previous experience in a laboratory setting, preferably in an industrial environment, and should be adept at thriving in a fast-paced setting.
A passion to see a better future for our planet.

Scope of Responsibilities:

Development and characterization of biopolymer fibers, including extrusion and green chemistry processes, mechanical and textile properties.
Design, execute and support experimental plans to meet specific research milestones.
Execution of research directions that serve the programmatic needs and provide deliverables for Werewool’s research and development milestones.

Compensation:

$65,000-$90,000
Salary commensurate with experience. Please send a statement of interest and resume to hello@werewool.bio

U.S. Work Authorization:

U.S. Work Authorization is required however the company is willing to hire international students.

Research Intern - Material Science and Polymer Chemistry [2024 Fall Semester]

We have an exciting opportunity available to a motivated and self-directed research intern to join our R&D efforts in polymer science and fiber development. The candidate will be working with our team in a highly interdisciplinary, fast paced environment, and designing, executing and overseeing experiments in areas of polymer physics and chemical engineering with a focus on material development, characterization and fiber processing in a green chemistry framework.

Time Commitment and Start Date:

Full time position in a hybrid environment with most of the time being in person. We are also open to candidates whose academic commitments allow for a smaller time commitment 20-40 hours/week. Please indicate your availability in your cover letter and send your resume to hello@werewool.bio

Requirements:

Resident of New York City (current student or recent graduates) or enrolled in a college or university in New York City
Enrolled in a college or university studying material science, fiber science, chemical engineering, chemistry, biochemistry, mechanical engineering, or a related discipline
Research experience in chemistry or engineering is highly desirable
Desire to learn and work collaboratively across different scientific disciplines to develop Werewool fibers, including molecular biology, polymer chemistry, and textile engineering
A passion to see a better future for our planet

Preferred: Research experience related to materials science, chemistry, or bioengineering
Preferred: Basic knowledge of polymer science chemistry and/or industry experience in polymer extrusion

Scope of Responsibilities:

Support the research team in the development and characterization of biopolymer fibers, including extrusion and green chemistry processes, mechanical and textile properties
Follow and develop SOPs with Werewool research scientists to examine structure-process-property relationships in biopolymer-based fibers
Laboratory-scale production and characterization of biofibers for textile applications

Compensation:

$18/hour

U.S. Work Authorization:

U.S. Work Authorization is required however the company is willing to hire international students.

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We are excited to explore applicants with all different backgrounds so if you think you have the experience, please apply! Werewool is dedicated to establishing a diverse employee base and especially encourages applicants from backgrounds most affected by the impacts of global climate change.