Build-a-Cell Coordinator
posted December 1, 2025
About Build-a-Cell
The Build-a-Cell is an international collaboration supporting engineering synthetic cells. The goal of the collaboration is to facilitate research, policy, safeguarding and educational efforts of the synthetic cell engineering community of over 90 research groups in >20 countries.
Position summary
The Build-a-Cell initiative is seeking a Coordinator to assist in operations of the community, including coordination of Build-a-Cell working groups, workshops, seminar series, and publications. The Coordinator will work closely with the PI and Steering Group on fulfilling the mission and objectives of the Build-a-Cell community.
Essential duties and responsibilities
- Coordinate working groups, including assistance to the group technical leads in scheduling, coordinating meetings, logistics of collaborative writing and data preparation.
- Assist in drafting, writing and editing of Build-a-Cell papers, with the help of technical leads and research members of the community. The types of publications will range from scientific reviews, perspectives, op-eds, white papers, policy papers, to popular science and educational explainers.
- Draft and write op-eds, popular science explainers and commentaries co-authored with the PI and other members of the community.
- Organize workshops and meetings, including bi-annual Build-a-Cell Workshop series, develop agendas, coordinate on site logistics and disbursement of participant travel grants.
- Assist the PI in coordinating the virtual Build-a-Cell seminar series.
- Coordinate steering group meetings and the bi-annual working group feedback sessions.
- Assist the PI in updating the Build-a-Cell website (no coding skills are required).
- Coordinate outreach activities.
- Work with the PI on progress reports, and assist preparing funding applications.
- Assisting the PI in mentoring junior researchers working on specific writing assignments and projects.
- Other duties assigned as they become apparent.
The candidate will have the ability to initiate specific outreach and writing projects aligned with his or her interests, in coordination with the PI and overall goals of the Build-a-Cell.
The candidate will not be expected to do any uncredited writing or editing of papers; all contributions to publications will be recognized with authorship.
Requirements
- Understanding of basics of bioengineering, synthetic biology and related areas. PhD is not required. Journalism, science communication or policy background is welcomed, if the candidate can also demonstrate ability to learn basics of technical aspects of synthetic cell engineering. Research background is welcomed if the candidate can demonstrate ability to draft, write and edit diverse writing styles. Note: background specifically in the field of synthetic cell engineering is not required; the candidate will be expected to learn the high level overview of technical challenges and opportunities of this field.
- Demonstrated experience in multi-stakeholder project management and execution, including adherence to project timelines and reporting requirements; successfully navigating and leading complex, multi-part projects with overlapping deadlines and priorities.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including experience writing for varied audiences. Ability to synthesize inputs from a range of stakeholders and sources. Ability to draft and edit document addressed to a wide range of audiences (from technical papers, through policy and position statements, to popular audience explainers).
- Strong interpersonal skills and experience managing stakeholder relationships.
- Experience working on a team to meet objectives on time.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills, including experience writing for diverse audiences. Published examples representing candidate’s writing skills are encouraged.
- Strong understanding of modern information technology and collaborative asynchronous working environment (Google Suite, Zoom, Adobe applications, etc.).
Position description
The candidate will be employed by the University of Minnesota.
The current position will be funded for 3 years, with the opportunity to extend and/or expand the position depending on funding situation.
Remote work can be accommodated.
The candidate will have the opportunity to gain authorship on publications and, if interested, present posters and talks at meetings.
Interested applicants please contact Kate Adamala.
