Head of Protein Sciences

A fast–growth food tech company has an exciting opportunity for a Head of Culture Media and Protein Sciences. You will lead teams across both fields, with your main focus being divided between developing culture medium formulations using high–throughput technology and designing protein engineering strategies such as production of proteins and growth factors towards low cost and large–scale manufacturing. You must have in–depth experience in stem cell biology and experience must include significant time supporting an industrial R&D environment.

Responsibilities

• Deliver low cost culture media formulations for muscle and fat cells using high–throughput screening technologies
• Evaluate available technologies for the supplementation and cost reduction of proteins in the media
• Advance protein expression, purification, characterisation and analysis capabilities
• Determine the most appropriate methodologies to test hypotheses, and identify suitable alternatives if technical problems arise
• Lead and develop Culture Medium and Protein Sciences team by providing guidance and coaching
• Ensure that deliverables are successfully met within R&D milestones
• Responsible for identifying and initiating new avenues of research, including methods to reduce manufacture cost
• Identify opportunities to collaborate with third parties, e.g. through joint grant applications
• Participate as a key member of the R&D management team with responsibility for day–to–day decision making within your team
• Provide written and verbal progress reports to the Senior Leadership Team and to external collaborators as required
• Keep up to date with field developments and apply these to improve experimental design and assay performance

Qualifications & Experience

• A PhD in a relevant area of Biological Sciences or related field or MSc with equivalent follow–on experience;
• = 8 years of post–doctoral or industry experience in relevant area

Essential:

• In–depth experience in principles and practices of stem cell biology methodologies, including stem cells or primary cells
• In–depth expertise in cultured cell biochemistry, metabolism and culture medium development
• Extensive experience in producing, purifying proteins and analysing their quality and bioactivity
• Extensive experience with assay development, high–throughput screening and cells or protein characterization
• Management experience with a proven track record of success delivering R&D projects
• Experience in leading, developing and motivating successful teams
• Strategic thinker and a history of independent investigations and innovative thinking
• Evidence in developing solutions for cost reduction in cell culture

Desirable

• Experience in cell culture: maintenance and differentiation of stem or primary cell types
• Experience in co–culture of different cell types and 3D tissue engineering
• Good understanding of poly–omics approaches for medium development
• Expertise with analytical techniques and computational approaches to protein engineering

Skills and personality traits:

• Advanced problem–solving skill
• Excellent communication skills both written and spoken
• Good time management and organisational skills
• Able to multitask
• Initiative
• Demonstrate positive leadership qualities, and foster a collaborative team environment
• Model desired values and behaviours, including quality, integrity, respect, and personal accountability