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- Tasks: Lead bioprocess optimisation and collaborate on innovative fermentation projects.
- Company: Sun Bear Biofuture, a startup focused on sustainable farming solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, training budget, 25 days holiday, and gym membership.
- Why this job: Make a real environmental impact while working with cutting-edge bioprocess technology.
- Qualifications: PhD or equivalent experience in bioprocess engineering and fermentation.
- Other info: Dynamic startup environment with opportunities for rapid learning and growth.
The predicted salary is between 31000 - 39000 £ per year.
About us
If you have multiple years experience in helping make microbes perform brilliantly in bioprocesses at a range of scales and are passionate about the environment, then read on. Sun Bear Biofuture was born in 2022 to use modern science and technology to have a meaningful environmental impact. We are reimagining farming to produce everyday essentials more sustainably. We’re using synthetic biology and precision fermentation to produce sustainable, resilient alternatives to fats such as cocoa butter and palm oil. Our focus is optimisation and scale-up as we grow our capacity and drive down the cost of production. Some defining qualities for us are our values: Candid, Trusting, Nurturing, Impact-Driven and Brave. If a culture built on these values sounds like a good fit then we’d love to hear from you.
About you
You’ll ideally have a PhD or equivalent industry experience in a related field and several years of industry R&D within bioprocess engineering, targeting scale-up and process optimisation. The ability to balance time, quality and results is needed in our fast paced startup environment. We’re looking for someone who will explore and debate ideas, challenge assumptions, and feedback to others on their ideas.
The role
You will be working closely with our research scientists, business team and external collaborators as we optimise our lipid production fermentations and downstream processing. You will help define the strategies for optimisation of the performance of our production strains at benchtop-scale and transfer learnings to larger scales (300L). You’ll be hands-on with the setup and refinement of our pilot-plant. Having set up facilities in the past will be a real advantage. As well as extensive experience of running fermentations, you will have worked to really understand what is happening within the fermentations and designing experiments to help further the performance of microbes within them. You’ll be obsessed with improving key production metrics, such as yield, titre and productivity. You will research potential solutions to challenges, speak with experts in their field to find information and novel ideas, and be open to trying less-than-obvious solutions. You’ll work with the wider lab and business teams to ensure your work adds the greatest value possible and aligns with the objectives of the organisation. We seek to be a truly inclusive and diverse company so if you do not fit all the criteria don’t worry - having a great cultural fit is as important as the skills and experience you have built up.
Responsibilities and tasks
- Help with overall planning and lead on the bioprocess optimisation of our products, with a focus on fermentations
- Set up and operate processes at benchtop (1-5L) and pilot-scale (300-1000L)
- Manage and collaborate closely with internal and external colleagues on R&D projects
- Carry out experiments and train others for the advancement of our research objectives
- Analyse results and monitoring data in line with our IP strategy
- Monitor our quality control and protocol development, championing best practices
- Helping develop presentations and reports for external stakeholders and IP applications
Skills and experience
- Strong understanding of metabolic performance of microbial processes, especially yeast
- Extensive experience of designing, setting up and operating fermentations at a range of scales
- Excellent ability to plan research, manage your own time, set goals and monitor them
- Strong track record of lab record keeping and quality control
- Great communication and problem-solving skills
Nice to haves:
- 3 years industry experience in bioprocess development
- Work experience within a startup
- Downstream processing experience
Qualifications
- Master’s or PhD with several years industry work experience
- An educational or professional background in process development, molecular biology and/or fermentation
Location: Oxford, UK
What we offer
- £37,000 to £45,000 dependent on experience
- £500 annual training budget
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays
- Pension scheme
- Subsidised gym membership
- Option scheme available to own a part of the business you’re helping to build
Our process
- Email your CV and Covering letter to info@sunbearbiofuture.com
- First video interview
- Second, ideally face to face, interview
- 2 References - we won’t ask for this until after offering you a role
No recruitment agents please.
Bioprocess Engineer in Oxford employer: Sun Bear Biofuture
Contact Detail:
Sun Bear Biofuture Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Bioprocess Engineer in Oxford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the bioprocess engineering field on LinkedIn or at industry events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Sun Bear Biofuture and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly cares about making an impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You’ll want to clearly articulate your experience with fermentation processes and how you’ve optimised them in the past. Keep it concise and engaging – think of it as your personal brand story.
✨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, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Bioprocess Engineer in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure to express your passion for bioprocess engineering and how your experience aligns with our mission at Sun Bear Biofuture. Don’t just repeat your CV; tell us why you’re excited about the role and how you can contribute to our goals.
Tailor Your CV: We want to see how your skills fit our needs, so tailor your CV to highlight relevant experiences in bioprocess optimisation and fermentation. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we’re looking for and how you can make an impact.
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, don’t shy away from showcasing your problem-solving abilities. Share specific examples of challenges you’ve faced in past roles and how you overcame them. This will help us see your critical thinking skills in action!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss any important updates. Plus, it’s a great way to show your enthusiasm for joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sun Bear Biofuture
✨Know Your Microbes
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of microbial processes, especially yeast. Be ready to discuss your experience with fermentations at various scales and how you've optimised them in the past. This will show your passion and expertise in bioprocess engineering.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you tackled them. Highlight your ability to think outside the box and explore less-than-obvious solutions, as this aligns with the company's values of being brave and impact-driven.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration
Since you'll be working closely with research scientists and business teams, be ready to discuss your experience in collaborative projects. Share specific instances where your teamwork led to successful outcomes, emphasising your communication skills and ability to manage relationships.
✨Align with Company Values
Familiarise yourself with the company's values: Candid, Trusting, Nurturing, Impact-Driven, and Brave. Think about how your personal values align with these and be prepared to discuss this during the interview. This will help demonstrate that you're a great cultural fit for the team.
