Head Synthetic Biology

Job Purpose

Drive the existing Algae Biorefinery and synthetic biology projects and help bringing new business opportunities in this area. To provide strategic technical know-how to identify bottle necks and improving productivity of molecules of interest in coordination with cross functional and project teams.

Job Accountabilities

• To direct a team of senior professionals or experienced managers across the specified business area, managing and shaping the resources as appropriate, to meet the current and future strategic needs of synthetic biology vertical and the broader organization
• To be accountable for providing business critical expertise for the research area undertaken and to be responsible for its long-term direction, strategy, and objectives
• Contribute to the organization’s direction, strategy and objectives and be responsible for the strategy and long-term direction of synthetic Biology R&D
• Develop and effectively communicate the advance biology strategies and set appropriate performance targets and objectives for subordinates within budgetary accountabilities
• Develop and implement new synthetic biology business opportunities and new areas of Bioeconomy
• Monitor best practice within other organizations to judge team performance introducing new practices/approaches as appropriate
• Ensure the delivery of all business objectives within allocated resources shaping and changing their current and future allocation as appropriate
• Develops solutions and new approaches in synthetic biology technologies and analytical practices which contribute significantly to the advancement of the business and product development in this area

Skills Required (Knowledge and Skills)

• Corporate professional with a life science qualification and experience (a minimum of 20 years) in a bioprocess research environment and a technical mastery in a highly specialized fields, such as metabolic engineering, fermentation technologies, synthetic biology with primary focus on food, nutrition, feed, personal care, novel biomaterial, energy and advanced molecular tool development.
• Skills in precision fermentation would be an added advantage
• Ability to provide strategic technical know-how for function platforms and project teams
• High level negotiation, motivational, relationship building, and influencing skills
• Experience in IP protection, regulatory and import-export management for biological material

Key Attributes (Experience and Qualifications)

• Ph.D. in Life science preferably in Molecular Biology
• At least 20 years of research experience (academic and industry) in advance biology including metabolic engineering, and molecular biology.
• Technical attributes should be evident through quality publications in peer reviewed journals and patents