Research Scientist Molecular Biology

Position Purpose

The role holder shall perform research activities as designing and conducting scientific experiments, analyzing and interpreting results leading to significant value to the business of PI. The role holder shall also functionally guide a Project Team of scientists to carry out designing/generation of genetically engineered strains, recombinant bacteria/yeast/fungi, and design/identify enzymatic routes for the desired bioconversions; in accordance with the project timelines and objectives with allocated resources. The role holder shall also support Team Leader / Group Leader in the general operations within the Molecular Biology function.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic

• Efficient contribution to the overall success of Process R&D Biotechnology by driving innovation and team performance according to objectives and targets being set by the Director of Biotechnology.
• Ensuring the security of intellectual property for R&D (patent applications, ensuring freedom-to-operate).
• Remain at the cutting edge of knowledge required for the new a.i. in crop protection through constant updating of personal knowledge and skill-sets using various means.
• As part of a Group, support the Team Leader / Group Leader with special focus on target setting, development of strengths, building of knowhow and functional feedback for team members.

Operational

• Work with the team to achieve and exceed targets within the frame given by the Team Leader / Group Leader and Director of Biotechnology.
• Support Team Leader / Group Leader and Director of Biotechnology in achieving overall department objectives.
• Keep self and Team updated on the state of the art in Biotechnology development and techniques with specific focus on Molecular Biology, and foster innovation.
• Continuous documentation and reporting of all research results obtained within the area of responsibility.
• Carrying out literature search by use of all available tools (Reaxys/Scifinder/Patents etc.), support the line manager (Team Leader / Group Leader) in his work, eg. contribute actively to designing/generation of new genetically engineered constructs, recombinant Bacteria/Yeast/Fungi, and design/identify enzymatic routes for the desired bioconversions.
• Carrying out Biotechnological and strain/pathway engineering experiments safely and efficiently, while capturing all relevant details of the experimental procedure and related data effectively.
• Updating the Team Leader / Group Leader on the progress/issues of the project and any relevant kind of lab activities within the team on a regular basis.
• Collection of data (Molecular Biology and Biotechnology) for detailed analysis and giving broad support to Research Project Leaders and Research Project Team members regardless of hierarchy.
• Develop and foster positive relationships with other teams and support groups such as Biochemistry / Bioanalytical / Fermentation / Bioprocess to maximize cooperation and consequent benefit to delivery on objectives.
• Constructive and active participtions in all technical and functional meetings of the group.
• Responsible for the Team safety, documentation and reports.

Educational Qualification

M.Sc./Ph.D. in Molecular Biology / Microbiology / Metabolic Engineering / Biotechnology from a reputed University with excellent academic credentials, and peer-reviewed papers/ patents

Experience

Senior Research Scientist (SRS): Ph.D. with 3 - 5 years of experience

Research Scientist (RS): Ph.D. with 0 - 3 years of experience or M.Sc. with 3 - 5 years of experience

Knowledge of Microbiology and strain engineering

Good experimentalist with experience in industry/academia

Preferred

1. Experience in consortia based microbial degradation of industrial effluents and parameter optimizations for its scale-up

2. Having demonstrated to implement new strategies for microbial molecular biology related cloning activities