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- Tasks: Design and optimise genetic constructs for sustainable protein production using innovative plant biotechnology.
- Company: Join LeafyColl, a fast-growing startup revolutionising plant-based protein manufacturing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, potential for permanent role, and a chance to make a real-world impact.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of sustainable innovation in synthetic biology and plant sciences.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant fields and experience with genetic engineering and protein expression.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for career growth and pioneering research.
The predicted salary is between 34598 - 37067 £ per year.
Are you passionate about Plant Biotechnology, Synthetic Biology and the future of sustainable materials? Do you want to use your scientific expertise to make a real-world impact? We have an immediate opening for an R&D Scientist in Synthetic Biology / Plant Sciences.
Location: Edinburgh, UK
Full-Time (12-month contract, potential to extend to permanent)
Salary: £34,598-£37,067
About LeafyColl
The LeafyColl team is driven by the potential of plants to transform the production of structural proteins. We are a fast-growing engineering biology startup, developing a next-generation platform to produce bioidentical proteins such as collagen using plant-based systems. LeafyColl is building a scalable and sustainable alternative to animal-derived collagen, with applications across cosmetics, food, and biomaterials. Working with a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and commercial experts, we are rapidly developing a first-of-its-kind protein manufacturing platform.
Whom are we looking for:
We are seeking people driven by excellence, with a strong interest in using their passion for science and plants to create innovations with real-world impact. You will be engaging with pioneering work, building and optimising biological systems to enable recombinant protein expression using synthetic biology tools across plant and microbial systems.
Qualifications:
- PhD in Synthetic Biology, Molecular Biology, Plant Biotechnology, Biochemistry, or related discipline
- Experience in genetic construct design and molecular cloning
- Experience in recombinant protein expression (E. coli, algae, or plants)
- Experience with gene editing tools (e.g., CRISPR-Cas9)
- Experience in working on non-model plants or crops
- Experience with plant-based expression systems (transient or stable)
Key accountabilities:
- Design and optimise genetic constructs for protein expression
- Develop and test recombinant protein expression systems (e.g., collagen)
- Perform molecular cloning, plasmid assembly, and validation
- Conduct transient expression and plant-based assays
- Generate and characterise stable plant lines
- Analyse protein expression and optimise yield and functionality
- Contribute to experimental design, data analysis, and reporting
- Work collaboratively in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment
Locations
Synthetic Biologist in Dunfermline, Fife employer: Leafycoll Ltd
Contact Detail:
Leafycoll Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Synthetic Biologist in Dunfermline, Fife
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the synthetic biology and plant biotechnology fields on LinkedIn. Join relevant groups, attend webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by practising common questions related to synthetic biology and your specific expertise. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors. The more comfortable you are talking about your experience and passion for plant biotechnology, the better!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your projects! If you’ve worked on any relevant research or personal projects, make sure to highlight them during interviews. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their hands-on experience with genetic constructs or recombinant protein expression.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who want to make a real-world impact in the field of synthetic biology.
We think you need these skills to ace Synthetic Biologist in Dunfermline, Fife
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for plant biotechnology and synthetic biology shine through. We want to see how your passion aligns with our mission at LeafyColl to create sustainable materials.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in genetic construct design and recombinant protein expression. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your skills and how they relate to the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Share your journey in science, any exciting projects you've worked on, and how you envision contributing to our innovative team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates about your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at Leafycoll Ltd
✨Know Your Science
Brush up on your knowledge of synthetic biology and plant biotechnology. Be ready to discuss your PhD research and how it relates to the role. Highlight any specific projects where you designed genetic constructs or worked with gene editing tools like CRISPR-Cas9.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare examples of your hands-on experience with recombinant protein expression and molecular cloning. Talk about the challenges you faced and how you overcame them, especially if you've worked with non-model plants or crops.
✨Collaborative Spirit
Since LeafyColl values teamwork, be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with multidisciplinary teams in the past. Share specific instances where your contributions led to successful outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role by asking thoughtful questions about LeafyColl's projects and future directions. Inquire about their approach to developing plant-based expression systems and how they envision the impact of their innovations in the industry.