Head of R&D

"Mi Terro is a science and material innovation company rethinking biology and reimagining the world."

Mi Terro is currently seeking an experienced fermentation scientist. You are an expert in your field, well-versed in fermentation science and microbial physiology and understand the importance and excitement of working in a start-up environment, which includes wearing many hats and being flexible with timelines and direction.

As a critical member of the innovation team, you will bring an eager entrepreneurial spirit to the table, driving cutting edge innovation, as well as be highly collaborative across projects. In this role, you will design and equip the laboratory, and also interact with the members of the Innovation team in selection of raw material biomass and strains, as well as optimization of fermentation conditions.

What You’ll Do:

·      Develop microbial processes to create or enhance Mi Terro protein sourced from plant-based agricultural waste.

·      Establish parameters for optimal growth, environmental stewardship, succession and flavor compound production for bacteria, yeasts & molds for plant protein production.

·      Microorganism selection, propagation, and management of strain fidelity.

·      Design and execute experiments firsthand focused on fungal morphology, physiology, growth optimization, and nutrient requirements.

·      Identify major inputs in fermentation processes that impact product yield and quality. Including substrate components and preparation, fermentation parameters, and downstream processes.

·      Prepare SOPs for fermentation and downstream processing.

·      Optimize fermentation pipelines by continually running analyses for KPIs utilizing expertise, analytical equipment, and external analyses.

·      Assist with the development of the QC program for industrial fermentation processes.

·      Collaborate with fellow product development scientists to ensure that experiments are designed and executed effectively.

·      Maintain individual and co-worker safety as the highest priority by supporting and reinforcing procedures and policies.

·      Jump in and help with whatever is needed to get the job done: machine set up, moving furniture and more - as we are a start-up, you never know!

Skills and Qualifications:

·      MS with 5+ of years or Ph.D. with 3+ of years in microbiology, molecular biology or related field required with relevant experience and key knowledge of microbial fermentation.

·      Experience designing and analyzing microbial fermentation experiments.

·      Experience scaling fermentation processes from lab to industrial scale strongly preferred.

·      Excellent interpersonal and communications skills are an essential characteristic of a successful candidate due to the highly collaborative nature of the position.

·      Ability to work well in a fast-paced start-up environment and balance multiple projects.

·      Skilled at employing software and statistical platforms for the analysis of large data sets (e.g. JMP, Tableau, Spotfire, or R and Python).

·      Strong organization, problem-solving, and quantitative analysis skills are critical.

·      Ability to deliver clear, compelling, and effective technical presentations to colleagues and stakeholders.

·      Must provide proof of identification and eligibility to work in the United States of America.

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