Scientist II - Automation, Molecular Biology and Strain Engineering

Job Description

IFF is expanding our HTP microbe construction platform at our R&D labs in Palo Alto, CA. We seek a scientific leader to identify, develop and deploy HTP and automated methods that advance products into established and new applications with an impact on IFF's mission to Do More Good.

We seek:

• A synthetic biologist eager to address the challenges of large-scale manufacturing using optimized bacteria and fungal cells.
• An expert comfortable with automated molecular biology and computational design/analysis.
• A fearless researcher ready to flex to meet changing project needs.
• A teammate who thrives in a multidisciplinary world.
• A doer who errs on the side of diving in but also can speak up when a new approach is needed.

Job Requirements

We offer a large and growing company that invests in biotechnology to improve the sustainability, function, and value of our customers' products. R&D projects are carried out by interdisciplinary teams that take a molecule from concept to product using cutting edge technology, always aiming to optimize application performance and productivity together. We have an established manufacturing base and work closely with our customers to develop products that make consumers' lives better.

On a day-to-day basis, you'll split your time between operating/improving existing workflows and developing new ones. As an integrated member of project teams, you will find ways to use automation to improve the product under development. You will collaborate to adopt new strategies and methods that enable the organization to design, build and test with shortened timelines and improved sensitivity

The successful candidate will have:

• a Ph.D. in bioengineering, molecular biology or a related field
• 2-5 years of postdoc and/or industry work experience
• experience using automated methods to design and/or build microbes
• enough coding experience to adapt scripts to new uses
• excellent communication and documentation practices

This role would benefit from additional skills such as: NGS analysis, design and use of bioreporters in microfluidics or FACS, familiarity with Bacillus and/or filamentous fungi, and operational bioinformatics.

IFF recreated itself in February 2021 with acquisition of the Genencor biotechnology platform. This new company brings technical strengths in industrial biotechnology, chemical synthesis and natural products to applications in food, personal care, energy and pharmaceuticals (among others). The Palo Alto R&D site is a center of excellence for all things biotech, including protein and host engineering. The site includes a robotics suite as well as a research fermentation facility and pilot plant.

IFF employees bring their whole selves to work. The company thrives through its diversity and supports individuals so they can contribute their best. Ongoing career development is facilitated through mentoring and training.

Nearest Major Market: San Jose

Nearest Secondary Market: Palo Alto