KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Technical Lead/Project Lead for related innovation projects, determine approach, responsible for planning, execution with team, set deliverables.
• Internal and External Subject Matter Expert on strain development, synthetic biology, molecular biology, metabolic engineering and (meta)genomics.
• Contribute to development of the strain development and fermentation roadmaps and pipeline.
• Actively explore and propose new solutions that fit the business strategy, contribute to (innovation) pipeline.
• Set-up of experimental work and work together with the technicians to ensure correct execution of the experimental work.
• Analyze results generated by technicians. Signal IP opportunities.
• Ensure documentation and reporting of procedures and results according to the Corbion standards. Report methods, results and techniques used. Conclusions and recommendations.
• Development of new protocols for testing, continuous improvement on existing products, services, production or operational processes in response to customer needs.
• Assist in onboarding, supervision and support of scientists, technicians and students. Mentor, and support technicians, scientists and students.
• Literature research, and keeping the knowledge of self and the rest of the team well updated on new preservation technologies and trends.
• Establish and maintain effective external industrial and academic networks.
• Actively participate in maintaining the facilities, equipment, and safety in the labs.

KEY SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

In addition to the educational achievements of a PhD. degree in biotechnology or molecular biology with some experience, or a similar MSc. degree with minimally 5 years of work experience in the field of strain development, the Scientist Strain Development has:

• Strong background and scientific knowledge in molecular biology laboratory activities and design. Demonstrable experience in translating this to industrial scales.
• Experience in the field of industrial metabolic processes, synthetic biology, classical strain improvement, and preferably experience with bioinformatics.
• Experienced project manage, able to leverage knowledge and expert from different fields of expertice for pragmatic but scientifically sound delivery.
• Fluency in English (written and verbal), good communication skills and intercultural sensitivity.
• Independent but excellent team-player skills, and able to work in multidisciplinary teams with great interpersonal skills.
• A safety-first mindset - Taking care of safe working environment in labs facilities, including biosafety.
• Open to travel as reqired for the job role.
• Creativity and brings new ideas into the organization.
• Proven skills to manage multiple projects/tasks.
• A well developed ability to plan activities and execute accordingly.

The Industrial Fermentation team is responsible for the development of strains and fermentation processes for Corbion’s two business units, Functional Ingredients and Solutions & Health and Nutrition. As an integral part of Corbion’s global Innovation Center, the Industrial Fermentation team not only plays a key role in developing novel ingredients, but also strengthens Corbion’s existing fermentation product portfolio by reducing cost, increasing quality and improving sustainability even further.
As a (Senior) Scientist Strain Development you will work in a team of technicians and scientists, to develop and optimize strains and cultures for new and existing production processes, and support both research and industrial projects in the field of molecular biology and metagenomics.

You will…

• …provide technical expertise, support and lead Corbion projects with multidisciplinary teams to develop strains, cultures and processes in an integrative manner
• …independently supervise and perform experiments in the laboratory, set up and take ownership on a part of the molecular and synthetic biology research and development activities.
• …set-up of experimental work and work together with the technicians to ensure correct execution of the experimental work:
• Plan, coordinate and execute experiments as part of the work package: classical strain improvement, synthetic biology, metabolic engineering and (meta-)genomics.
• Ensure documentation and reporting of procedures and results according to the Corbion standards. Report methods, results and techniques used. Conclusions and recommendations.
• Be an internal and external subject matter expert on molecular biology and cultures dynamics.
• Take ownership and a leading role in the laboratory for ensuring quality standards in way-of-working, maintenance, planning, execution and performing improvements and modifications.