Director/Principal Scientist: Fungal Physiology

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Job description

Nature's Fynd is a groundbreaking food tech company born out of NASA-supported research on extremophiles in the geothermal pools of Yellowstone National Park. Our novel fermentation technology produces a sustainable source of complete protein using only a fraction of the resources required by traditional agriculture. As the challenge to feed the world's expanding population grows, our mission is to create amazing foods and materials that provide sustainable choices and nurture the planet.

We're looking for passionate, driven, and ambitious people to join our fast-growing team.

The successful candidate will be an engaged thought leader to drive development and improvements of current strain, fermentation technology and product quality through detailed understanding of the physiology of filamentous fungi. The successful candidate will serve as the resident technical expert on physiology of filamentous fungi including optimization of growth and propagation. The candidate will possess deep knowledge of growth, metabolism and life cycle of filamentous fungi. The successful candidate will be instrumental in coordinating cross-functional collaboration with molecular biology, protein chemistry, fermentation, and regulatory. The applicant will be an accomplished scientist with technical and business acumen to drive research projects from ideation-to-finish line.

Previous track-record of successfully developing filamentous fungi used to produced commercialized product(s) would be a plus.

This position will report to Vice President Biotech R&D.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Manage and set direction for scientific staff working on filamentous fungal strain improvement, strain evaluation and process optimization
• Member of Biotech R&D leadership team setting priorities and directions for organization
• Conducting research in fungal physiology, fungal growth optimization and nutrient requirements
• Performing hands-on experiments aimed at defining microbial nutrient requirements and optimization
• Identifying metabolic pathways in filamentous fungi to drive characterization and growth improvements
• Identifying improved strains by classical mutagenesis and screening
• Working with cross-functional teams to support scale-up and implementation of microbial growth parameters
• Discovering connections between genotypes and key phenotypes of filamentous fungi, to develop improved strains
• Working well in teams to develop new technology and products you'd never achieve on your own
• Manage innovation activities and completion of projects within agreed timelines
• Provide data-driven insights to solve technical challenges
• Interface with R&D, regulatory, manufacturing, and new business development for new product development, or improvement of existing products
• Prepare project proposals, conduct bench-top work, and analyze, summarize present scientific outcomes
• Provide accurate, clear, and concise reports on R&D activities
• Champion science-based, data-driven approach to solve complex problems
• Identify, engage and establish internal and external technical collaborations with customers, industry, and academic partners

Position Requirements:

• PhD in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• The specific job level offered will depend on qualifications. Positions at the Director/Principal Scientist level normally requires a Ph.D. degree with 10+ years related experience as well as expert knowledge of scientific principles and concepts demonstrated by sustained accomplishment.
• An innovative mind-set and can-do attitude coupled with an enthusiasm for optimizing production of filamentous fungi.
• Strong interpersonal, influencing, and project management skills
• Technical expert in developing and optimizing growth conditions and propagation of filamentous fungi
• Expertise in secondary metabolism of filamentous fungi
• Knowledge of metabolic pathways in filamentous fungi
• Experience in classical mutagenesis of filamentous fungi
• Experience in leading and training research associates and/or other scientists.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Comfortable working in a start-up environment
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and influence technical direction
• Strong problem solving and critical thinking skills

Company Benefits:

• Participation in Employee Stock Ownership Program
• 100% paid employee benefits
• Ability to join a company with an aggressive growth trajectory