Staff Scientist - Strain Engineering

Are you ready fora new beginning?

We need your talent, knowledge and dedication to better our world with biology.

Our purpose points the way

In Novonesis, we know that solutions rooted in biology can help solve humanity's biggest challenges. Since we began more than a century ago, this has been our guide. It's how we've gotten so far. And it's how we'll impact the future. Now, more than ever, the world needs change. And with biosolutions, the possibilities for transformation are endless.

We're here to better our world with biology.

Join us as ....Staff Scientist, Strain Engineering

Welcome to.... Our Strain Engineering Department within our R&D site located in Davis, California. The site of 65+ employees in Davis works together to unlock the potential of bacteria, yeast and filamentous fungi as biological solutions to address the needs in our world. We foster a collaborative environment with a shared vision for pursuing science that has an impact, by working smart and enjoying the scientific journey.

In this role you'll make an impact by:

• Leading a cross-functional project team of researchers to design, build and test engineered anaerobic bacteria to create next generation biosolutions

• Applying tools of synthetic biology, metabolic engineering and laboratory automation to the development of anaerobic bacteria for industrial deployment

• A mindset that embraces challenging science, recognizes change as an opportunity and finds satisfaction in team success

• A strong desire to work as a member of an empowered and collaborative cross-disciplinary problem-solving team

To succeed you must hold:

• PhD and 8+ years of experience in Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Systems Biology or related field; or MS and 10+ years of experience; or BS with 15+ years of experience.
• Significant R&D project management experience, including multi-site collaborations with internal and external stakeholders
• Industry experiences leading projects that encompass strain engineering and lab scale fermentation to develop scale-up ready strains and engineering tools to strain improvement programs focused on metabolic engineering
• Experience applying lab automation equipment to the automation of DBTL cycles for strict anaerobes beneficial
• Benchling or other similar electronic laboratory notebook system preferred
• Experience cultivating and genetically engineering Clostridia class microbes or similar obligate anaerobes
• Strong written and oral communication skills

Location: Davis, CA (On-Site)

Application deadline: November 2, 2025

Expected salary range: $150,000-$170,000

Benefits you will enjoy:

• 401(k) with up to a 9% company contribution
• Minimum of 3 weeks of vacation plus 12 holidays and 2 weeks of Wellness Time
• Health, Dental, Vision & Life insurance
• Healthcare savings account option
• Employee assistance program
• Parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• All benefits begin on your first day

Could our purpose be yours? Then apply today!

At Novonesis we commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants. We recommend you not to attach a cover letter to your application. Instead, please include a few sentences in your resume/CV about why you are applying. To ensure a fair recruitment process, please refrain from adding a photo in your resume/CV.

Novonesis is dedicated to fostering a unique community by embracing and respecting differences. We make all employment decisions based on business needs, ensuring that every individual can thrive, regardless of identity or background such as ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status.

Want to learn more?
Learn more about Novonesis, our purpose, and your career opportunities at novonesis.com

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