At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative research on microbial strains to revolutionise food and feed applications.
- Company: Join MiAlgae, a pioneering company tackling global food security with sustainable solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working arrangements, a diverse culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with cross-functional teams in a dynamic and inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in sustainability while advancing your scientific career.
- Qualifications: MSc or PhD in relevant fields with experience in strain development and data analysis.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Company Description: Founded in 2016, MiAlgae leverages cutting-edge science and technology to tackle global food security and environmental challenges. Our breakthrough innovation lies in eliminating the need for wild-caught fish as a source of Omega-3, by harnessing microalgae—a sustainable and potent alternative. Our production process recycles co-products from the food and drink industry to grow Omega-3 rich microalgae, returning clean water in the process and supporting a truly circular economy. We are proud to be a diverse, family-friendly and inclusive employer, committed to equity and belonging in everything we do. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are open to discussing flexible working arrangements that suit both you and the role.
Role Description: This is a full-time R&D Scientist role based in Edinburgh, working within MiAlgae's Research & Development team and reporting to a Principal Scientist. The R&D Scientist will take ownership of strain screening and development workflows, identifying, characterising and optimising microbial strains for use as production platforms for high-value compounds in food and feed applications. The role will play a key part in advancing strain candidates through development and supporting their progression towards commercial-scale production.
You will combine high-throughput growth and characterisation techniques with targeted metabolic studies to build a deeper understanding of strain performance. Working closely with Fermentation and Bioprocess Development teams, you will help evaluate promising strains at pilot and commercial scales while contributing to the continuous improvement of strain development workflows, screening strategies and experimental pipelines.
Key responsibilities include:
- Microbial strain screening and improvement
- Phenotypic characterisation using analytical techniques including Gas Chromatography
- Development of scalable strain development workflows
- Data management and documentation
- Communication of scientific findings to both technical and non-technical audiences
Qualifications:
- MSc, PhD or equivalent industrial experience in bioprocessing, molecular biology, engineering biology or a related discipline
- Approximately five years of relevant experience in strain development, microbial characterisation or a related scientific field
- Experience using high-throughput growth and analytical methods to characterise strain growth and product formation
- Experience designing selective or adaptive screening strategies to enrich desired phenotypes under industrially relevant conditions
- Strong experimental design and data analysis skills, with the ability to analyse complex datasets and support data-driven decision making
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with experience working effectively within cross-functional teams
- Ability to maintain detailed scientific documentation and communicate complex technical information clearly to a broad audience
Desirable:
- Experience working with multiple microbial hosts, including two or more of yeast, bacteria and microalgae
- Experience establishing and applying growth kinetics to characterise strain performance
- Knowledge and application of omics techniques to better understand microbial strain behaviour and performance
- Experience influencing projects and challenging scientific approaches to drive improved outcomes
- Experience using robotic liquid handling platforms or other laboratory automation technologies
- Experience supporting the progression of strain development activities from proof-of-concept through to pilot or commercial-scale operations
R&D Scientist in Bath employer: MiAlgae
At MiAlgae, we pride ourselves on being an innovative and inclusive employer, dedicated to addressing global food security and environmental challenges through sustainable practices. Our Edinburgh-based team fosters a collaborative work culture that encourages professional growth and development, offering flexible working arrangements to support a healthy work-life balance. Join us in our mission to revolutionise the Omega-3 industry while enjoying the benefits of a diverse workplace that values equity and belonging.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land R&D Scientist in Bath
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the R&D field on LinkedIn or at industry events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or presentation showcasing your past projects and achievements in strain development and microbial characterisation. This will help you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors, focusing on technical questions related to bioprocessing and molecular biology. This will boost your confidence and help you articulate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our mission at MiAlgae.
We think you need these skills to ace R&D Scientist in Bath
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Science:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for R&D and sustainable solutions shine through. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at MiAlgae, so don’t hold back on sharing your experiences and what drives you in the field!
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the R&D Scientist role. Highlight relevant experience in strain development and microbial characterisation, and use keywords from the job description to show that you’re a perfect fit for our team.
Be Clear and Concise:We appreciate clarity! When detailing your skills and experiences, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your qualifications at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised on our end!
How to prepare for a job interview at MiAlgae
✨Know Your Microalgae
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of microalgae and its applications in food and feed. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with MiAlgae's mission to replace wild-caught fish for Omega-3 production. Show them you’re passionate about sustainability and innovation!
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Prepare to talk about your hands-on experience with high-throughput growth techniques and analytical methods like Gas Chromatography. Bring examples of how you've used these skills in previous roles, especially in strain development or microbial characterisation.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since the role involves communicating complex scientific findings to diverse audiences, practice explaining your past projects in simple terms. Think about how you can convey technical information effectively to both technical and non-technical team members.
✨Collaborate and Contribute
Highlight your experience working in cross-functional teams. Be prepared to discuss specific instances where you collaborated with others, particularly in bioprocessing or molecular biology, and how you contributed to successful outcomes in those projects.
