Sr Scientist - Protein Expression

The organization

For a rapidly growing and transformative food and crop protection company, we are seeking a Senior Scientist Protein Expression. The organisation is developing a new generation of protein-based biocontrol solutions and have the ambition of transforming food protection as well as shaping the future of a sustainable and safe food supply.

The position

You will guide the strain engineering and process development teams in order to further build, establish, and validate the protein expression platform. We are looking for a passionate colleague, with in-depth expertise and knowledge in molecular biology and heterologous protein expression, using a broad range of microorganisms. You will leverage your advanced experience to offer significant scientific and technical leadership across the company.

Tasks & responsibilities

In this role, you must be able to:

• Provide operational and strategic guidance in design and implementation of strategies to increase protein production efficiency of biocontrols in a broad range of microbial hosts (yeast, fungi, or any other suitable host organism for application in crop and food protection) across the multiple strain engineering platforms and process development streams
• Lead technology projects within the manufacturing team for expression optimisation of our selected production strains and for development of a stable and scalable production process
• Advance technology readiness level and early de-risking the selected approach
• Guide the team with the “begin with the end in mind” principle, working closely with colleagues in discovery, and product manufacturing including formulation, upscaling, and contract manufacturing
• Contribute to further build a strong team having all the know-how, expertise, as well as access to state-of-the-art technology to be successful in the goal to produce biocontrols at scale and market-tuned COGS
• Drive development of functional excellence within the team
• Create competitive advantage through identification of new IP supporting the entire platform
• Support resource management including recruitment, training and continuous development of (senior) scientists and researchers

Candidate profile

The perfect candidate to fill the role of Senior Scientist Protein Expression must have the following qualifications:

• PhD or MSc in Biology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, (Bio)Chemistry, Bio(chemical)-engineer, or related field
• At least 10 years of relevant industry experience
• Proven track record of successful team leadership in recombinant protein production
• Expertise in genetics, gene regulation and physiology of different host organisms used for protein expression (yeast & filamentous fungi)
• Experience in novel gene editing strategies to optimise microbial strains for efficient secretion of proteins
• Significant expertise in developing upstream and downstream processes for heterologous expression of proteins using different host organisms is of major importance
• Ability to assist engineers and scientists as needed in a rapidly changing environment
• Able to collaborate effectively across organisational and functional boundaries (matrix organisation), and complement internal expertise with knowledge of the external technologies landscape
• Ability to build strong networks
• Excellent ability to interact with a team of highly qualified technology professionals
• High sense of quality, accuracy and detail
• Capable of thinking out-of-the-box and being open-minded
• Ability to oversee multiple, simultaneous projects and to meet deadlines for delivery of the projects
• Being passionate and having a positive mindset
• Good reporting and communication skills (fluency in written and spoken English)

The offer

Teamwork, innovation, passion, well-being, and accountability are the companies values that guide our business and that we prize when we recruit new talent and reward our employees. We strive to create an exciting and dynamic working environment in which you will be challenged to take initiative, contributing to the success of the company. You will work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary team of top innovators in the AgFood Biotech industry who will support you to further develop and grow your personal skills. You will be rewarded with a competitive salary and benefits package.

Interested?

You can apply to this postion by using the lnk below. For more information please contact Jamie van den Ban, Associate | Food (Sciences), +31(0)6-82 66 54 05, +31(0)23-75 486 60.