Director of R&D

at  Willow Biosciences

About Willow Biosciences: Willow Biosciences is a synthetic biology company that develops biobased processes for production of ingredients in the pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and consumer care sectors. Willow’s FutureGrownTM and BioOxiTM platforms were built to revolutionize industrial manufacturing of pure, consistent, and sustainable ingredients with sustainability at its core. Our fully integrated bio-based processes are more sustainable, secure, and cost-effective than traditional extraction or chemical synthesis routes and typically provide products of higher purity and yield.
Mission, Values and Beliefs: At Willow Biosciences, we are committed to bringing high-purity compounds to market through scalable and cost-effective bio-based processes. We work hard, we are serious about what we do, and we like to have fun while we are at it!
Position: Director of R&D We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Director of R&D to lead our research and development efforts. This role will oversee the development and implementation of innovative synthetic biology strategies, driving the advancement of our product pipeline and technological capabilities. The ideal candidate should have a strong and proven combination of technical, managerial, and strategic skills, along with a passion for advancing the field of synthetic biology.
Location: Sunnyvale, CA, US
Reports To: Senior Vice President of R&D
Education: PhD in computational biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, chemistry, or a related field.
Experience: 8-10 years of experience in R&D within synthetic biology or a closely related field, including at least 5 years in a leadership or management role. Demonstrated experience in managing programs that utilize genetic engineering, genome editing (CRISPR/Cas9), metabolic engineering, multi-variate enzyme engineering, and other synthetic biology techniques. Proven leadership experience, including managing multidisciplinary research teams, mentoring junior scientists, and strategic planning to align R&D efforts with company goals. Strong interpersonal skills for effective collaboration and communication with internal teams and external partners. Experience in designing and executing experiments, proficiency in DNA synthesis, assembly, and sequencing technologies, analytical and problem-solving skills, and adaptability to a rapidly changing environment. The ideal candidate should understand the process of translating research into commercial products and manage intellectual property effectively.

Responsibilities Include:

• Collaboration with the SVP of R&D to set research priorities, establish milestones, and allocate resources effectively.
• Lead the design, execution, and optimization of multiple projects, including the development of novel biological systems and technologies.
• Strong working knowledge of modern molecular biology techniques and bioinformatics preferred.
• Manage multiple R&D programs, ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget.
• Develop and maintain project plans, track progress, and address any issues or risks that may arise.
• Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing team of scientists across multiple disciplines (molecular biology, chemistry, fermentation and computational biology)
• Foster a collaborative and innovative team culture, providing guidance, support, and professional development opportunities.
• Identify and evaluate emerging technologies in synthetic biology to drive innovation and maintain competitive advantage.
• Implement best practices and process improvements to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of R&D efforts.

Job Requirements:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written).
• Ability to communicate/present work and analysis to audiences with diverse technical backgrounds.
• Attention to detail, safety, and good laboratory practice
• Ability to take ownership, prioritize responsibilities, multi-task and remain flexible with changing needs.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Must be motivated and able to work under tight deadlines.
• Experience working with ELN and LIMS (Benchling preferred)
• Be curious, creative, and tenacious.
• Model our core values and believe in our mission.

Physical Demands:

• Remaining in a seated or standing position for extended periods
• Performing repetitive tasks with hands, fingers, and wrists
• Use of standard lab PPE (lab coats, safety glasses and gloves)

Position Type: Onsite, full-time position
Travel: Not required
Work Authorization: Authorized to work in the US.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary package, 401k, healthcare benefits, medical, vision & dental
• Paid vacation and company holidays
• Life / AD&D, Short-term and Long-term Disability Insurance
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Company/team-wide social events

• Collaboration with the SVP of R&D to set research priorities, establish milestones, and allocate resources effectively.
• Lead the design, execution, and optimization of multiple projects, including the development of novel biological systems and technologies.
• Strong working knowledge of modern molecular biology techniques and bioinformatics preferred.
• Manage multiple R&D programs, ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget.
• Develop and maintain project plans, track progress, and address any issues or risks that may arise.
• Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing team of scientists across multiple disciplines (molecular biology, chemistry, fermentation and computational biology)
• Foster a collaborative and innovative team culture, providing guidance, support, and professional development opportunities.
• Identify and evaluate emerging technologies in synthetic biology to drive innovation and maintain competitive advantage.
• Implement best practices and process improvements to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of R&D efforts