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 Dunfermline 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 Dunfermline
✨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 that highlights 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! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in MiAlgae and our mission. Plus, it’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed!
We think you need these skills to ace R&D Scientist in Dunfermline
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Science:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for R&D and the science behind it shine through. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at MiAlgae, so don’t hold back on sharing your excitement about tackling global food security challenges!
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the R&D Scientist role. Highlight your relevant experience in strain development and microbial characterisation, and connect your skills to the specific responsibilities mentioned in the job description. We love seeing how you fit into our team!
Be Clear and Concise:While we appreciate detail, clarity is key! Use straightforward language to communicate your experiences and achievements. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can convey complex scientific information clearly, so practice that skill in your application.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at MiAlgae and ready to take the next step in your career!
How to prepare for a job interview at MiAlgae
✨Know Your Microbial Strains
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of microbial strains and their applications. Be ready to discuss specific examples of strain development you've worked on, including any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to talk about your experience with analytical techniques like Gas Chromatography. Have a couple of examples ready where you used these methods to characterise strain growth or product formation, and be clear about the outcomes.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since you'll need to communicate complex scientific findings to both technical and non-technical audiences, practice explaining your past projects in simple terms. This will demonstrate your ability to bridge the gap between science and practical application.
✨Collaborate and Contribute
Highlight your experience working in cross-functional teams. Think of specific instances where your collaboration led to successful outcomes, and be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to MiAlgae's R&D team dynamics.
