Senior Scientist - Strain Engineer

"We're a tight-knit group dedicated to protecting the planet using tech, plants & unherd of flavors."

We eat the meats we do not because they are the tastiest, but because they are the easiest to industrialize. There is an inverse relationship between industrializing animals for meat processing and how delicious your steak, lamb chop, or ham is. Like humans, animals are what they eat—so the ones who graze freely in nature beget better flavors. We are experts at recreating wild and heritage flavors using plant-based sources. We now want to streamline our ingredient development even further, and that's where Ewe (yes, you) come in. We are looking for a strain engineer to take our sustainability goals to the next level.

You will work with a team of food scientists at our R&D kitchen in San Francisco to develop novel ingredients for our plant-based meat. Successful individuals will be self-motivated, organized, and adaptable. We are looking for a candidate with a depth of knowledge in metabolic engineering. Successful candidates should have a strong understanding of fermentation and lipid biosynthesis. Demonstrated research should include characterization of metabolic pathways and/or deep understanding of metabolic flux control and methods to increase titer.

Responsibilities:
- Develop fermentation processes for biomolecules produced by microbial cultures, including both bacterial and fungal systems.
- Train and lead junior staff to assist in meeting project goals.
- Summarize and report data and method development efforts in writing and present work in collaborative meetings with other R&D groups.
- Maintain notebook records, sample databases, standard operating procedures, and other documentation.
- Maintain a safe and organized lab environment.
- Perform additional laboratory duties as required to support R&D and company projects.
- Communicate team performance to executive leadership.
- Act as a Project Leader by developing goals & timelines and adapt (communicating changes to project members & upper management) in our fast-paced environment.

Education & Experience:
- PhD in Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, Biochemistry or a related field with 5+ years industry experience.
- Demonstrated expertise in expression of lipids in organisms used for industrial fermentation.
- Experience in independently designing and implementing molecular cloning strategies for variety of microbes.

Required Skills & Qualifications:
- Strong experience in genetic/metabolic engineering of yeast and filamentous fungi.
- Experience in small scale fermentation in bioreactors.
- Proficiency in molecular cloning techniques, DNA assembly and vector design.
- Strong critical thinking, time management and organizational skills.
- Excellent attention to detail, ability to maintain accurate records, and an affinity for troubleshooting.
- Ability to thrive in a collaborative, diverse, and fast-paced environment.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to discuss complex technical concepts with a variety of audiences.

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