Interim Technical Director in Leeds

MicroLub is a deep-tech ingredient solutions company spun out of the University of Leeds, pioneering next-generation, protein-based technologies for protein-boosted and reduced-fat foods. Backed by venture capital investors, we’re scaling fast—and we need an exceptional scientific leader to help turn our patented science into customer-ready ingredient solutions.

We’re looking for an Interim Technical Director to join us, initially for 12 months but with the potential to become permanent, reporting directly to our Chief Technology Officer. This is not a role where you’ll simply oversee an established technical programme. You’ll be at the heart of our innovation engine: leading our team of research scientists, shaping technical strategy, and working directly with customers to solve real-world formulation and texture challenges.

What you’ll lead:

• Our food and beverage product-development programme—from proof of concept through customer validation and scale-up
• A talented team of food and material scientists and product developers
• Customer-funded joint-development and material-transfer projects
• The translation of research and intellectual property into commercially valuable ingredient solutions
• Technical priorities, budgets, resources, timelines and risk management
• The establishment of a new research laboratory, including equipment, quality systems and safe ways of working
• Technical collaboration with customers, academic partners, and our commercial and manufacturing teams
• The identification and protection of new intellectual property, know-how, and trade secrets

You’ll also act as a senior technical adviser to our CEO, contribute to Board updates and represent MicroLub at customer meetings, conferences, and industry events.

What you’ll bring:

• A PhD in Food Science, Physical Chemistry, Biophysics, Soft Matter, Chemical Engineering or a closely related discipline
• Strong expertise in colloid science, food structure, soft materials, rheology, tribology or lubrication
• A proven track record of leading ingredient formulation or product innovation
• Experience translating research, intellectual property or emerging technology into commercial value
• Strong scientific leadership and experience developing researchers, scientists or product-development professionals
• Experience delivering collaborative projects with customers or industrial partners
• Commercial acumen and the confidence to contribute to business-development conversations
• Strong project, budget and resource-management skills
• The ability to communicate complex science clearly to scientific, commercial, customer, and investor audiences
• Experience in food ingredients, FMCG, food technology, consumer healthcare or personal care would be particularly valuable. Experience in a start-up, scale-up or university spinout would also be a strong advantage.

Why MicroLub?

This is an opportunity to:

• Lead the development of genuinely differentiated patented technology
• Apply cutting-edge protein and colloid science to health and sustainability challenges
• Work directly with international food and ingredient businesses
• Influence technical and commercial strategy within a fast-moving spinout
• See breakthrough science move from the laboratory into real-world consumer products

The role is based at Nexus, Discovery Way, Leeds, where you’ll work closely with our scientific, commercial and leadership teams.

Your Future at MicroLub:

This is an initial 12‑month employed interim role, with potential to become permanent as MicroLub continues to scale its technology, team and customer base. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment, given the tight timescales we are working to.

MicroLub is an equal-opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates and are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and supportive working environment. Applications close at 23:59 on 31 August 2026.