(Sr.) Research Associate USP

The growing demand for healthy, safe and sustainable food has increasingly imposed restrictions on agricultural practices. Therefore, improving food production efficiency in a sustainable way, while safeguarding the environment and its natural resources, is essential.

Biotalys has the ambition to transform food protection, shaping the future of sustainable and safe food supply. They are a rapidly growing and transformative food and crop protection company developing a new generation of protein-based biocontrol solutions.

Based on their ground-breaking technology platform, they have developed a broad pipeline of effective and safe products with novel modes of action, addressing key crop pests and diseases across the whole value chain, from soil to plate. Their products combine the high-performance characteristics of chemicals with the clean safety profile of biologicals, making them ideal crop protection agents for both pre- and post-harvest applications.

Their headquarters are located in the vibrant biotech cluster in Ghent, Belgium, and their US subsidiary is based in Durham, North Carolina. More information can be found on www.biotalys.com.

Job description

As (Senior) Research Associate UpStream Processing you are involved in the development and optimization of fermentation processes for efficient production of AGROBODYTM bioactives (proteins) using different host organisms.

• Setting up fermentations for microbial expression of AGROBODYTM bioactives using different types of host organisms.

• Design, execute, analyze and report on experiments to assess the impact of versatile factors on production efficiency. Propose follow-up steps;

• Evaluate novel fermentation strategies to maximize the expression of AGROBODY™ bioactives enabling good product quality;

• Analyze samples using different techniques such as HPLC, SDS-PAGE ...;

• Support the engagement with third-party service or technology providers in the field of fermentation to support the overall fermentation strategy;

• Participate in activities performed at external contract organizations in the field of fermentation as required in the context of manufacturing activities that needs to be outsourced;

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the workflows in the lab to ensure maximum output of the different teams;

• Actively participate in functional and project teams.

Candidate profile

• Bachelor or Master of Science (Bio(chemical)-engineering), Biochemistry, Chemistry or equivalent;

• Knowledge and hands-on experience in fermentation for expression of heterologous proteins is required;

• Experience with analytical methods and tools for protein characterization is desirable;

• Passionate to work in a manufacturing and process development environment;

• Hands-on, pro-active and problem-solving oriented;

• High sense of quality, accuracy and detail;

• Eager to investigate and learn;

• Strong team-player, but able to work autonomously;

• Capable of thinking out-of-the-box and open-minded;

• Driven, highly motivated and sharing positive mindset;

• Good reporting and communication skills (fluency in written and spoken English).

Working conditions

Teamwork, innovation, passion, well-being and accountability are the Biotalys’ values that guide their business and that they prize when they recruit new talent and reward their employees. They strive to create an exciting and dynamic working environment in which you will be challenged to take initiative, contributing to the success of the company. You will work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary team of top innovators in the AgFood Biotech industry who will support you to further develop and grow your personal skills. You will be rewarded with a competitive salary and benefits package and you will have the opportunity to optimize your work-life balance and time management via flexible working hours and telework.