Group Leader or Department Manager, Strain Engineering
Novonesis Davis, California, United States · $150K–$170K/yr
Biotechnology Research · 10,001+ employees
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About the role
Lead and develop a research team engineering microorganisms to produce small molecules or proteins, while shaping the strategy and execution of metabolic and pathway engineering projects. Collaborate across global teams to inform future product concepts and technology development, integrating expertise in strain engineering, microbial physiology, fermentation, systems biology, and omics.
What they look for
Requirements
Requires a PhD with at least 5 years of relevant experience, an MS with at least 8 years, or a BS with at least 10 years, plus at least 2 years of people leadership and development experience. Candidates need industry experience leading metabolic engineering projects and cross-functional R&D teams, including multi-site collaborations; experience with diverse microbial hosts and computational or statistical methods is valued.
Benefits
Full description
Interested in a career that matters?
The Role and Your Impact:
Welcome to the role of Group Leader/Department Manager, Strain Engineering. You will join an empowered, cross-disciplinary R&D site that thrives on solving complex scientific challenges through collaboration and diverse expertise. We embrace ambitious goals, view change as an opportunity for growth and innovation, and foster an environment where individuals are empowered to contribute and learn from one another. Success is driven by a shared commitment to scientific excellence, mutual support, and the belief that the best outcomes are achieved when the team succeeds together.
You will lead and develop a research team dedicated to engineering microorganisms for production of small molecules or proteins. Beyond team leadership, this individual will play a key role in shaping the strategy and execution of strain engineering projects that employ metabolic and pathway engineering. The position requires close collaboration with colleagues around the globe to provide scientific insight for future product concepts and technology development. Effective candidates will bring a strong ability to integrate expertise across strain engineering, microbial physiology, fermentation, systems biology and omics while balancing people leadership and individual contributions.
Key Responsibilities in this role:
- Lead and develop a research team dedicated to engineering microorganisms for production of small molecules or proteins
- Shape the strategy and execution of strain engineering projects that employ metabolic and pathway engineering by collaborating with colleagues around the globe to provide scientific insight for future product concepts and technology development.
- Integrate expertise across strain engineering, microbial physiology, fermentation, systems biology and omics while balancing people leadership and individual contributions.
What You Will Need to be Successful:
- PhD and 5+ years of experience in Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Systems Biology or related field; or MS and 8+ years of experience; or BS with 10+ years of experience.
- 2+ years of people leadership and development experience with a strong commitment to coaching, mentoring, and developing scientific talent.
- Demonstrated industry experience leading metabolic engineering projects and cross-functional R&D teams, including multi-site collaborations with internal and external stakeholders.
Additional Skills and Interests We Value:
- Industry experience working with diverse microbial hosts, including non-model bacteria and yeast.
- Experience in applying computational and statistical methodologies to accelerate metabolic engineering programs.
Compensation & Benefits
- Expected base salary range: $150,000 to $170,000 annually (depending on experience)
- 401(k) with up to a 9% company contribution
- Minimum of 3 weeks of vacation plus 12 holidays and 2 weeks of Wellness Time
- Health, Dental, Vision & Life insurance
- Healthcare savings account option
- Employee assistance program
- Parental leave
- Tuition reimbursement
- All benefits begin on your first day
Ways of Working:
- Onsite in Davis, California
- Travel frequency is typically 1-3 weeks per year
Application Deadline: November 8, 2026
Our purpose guides the way
In Novonesis, we know that solutions rooted in biology can help solve humanity’s biggest challenges. Since we began more than a century ago, this has been our guide. It’s how we've gotten so far. And it’s how we'll impact the future. Now, more than ever, the world needs change. And with biosolutions, the possibilities for transformation are endless. If our purpose resonates with you, we encourage you to apply.
Opportunities for everyone
We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and equal opportunity for all applicants. Therefore we ask you to apply without a cover letter or photo and instead include a few sentences in your CV explaining your motivation for applying.
We make all employment decisions based on business needs and welcome candidates with a wide range of backgrounds, including ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status.
Explore other openings
If this position isn’t the right fit, you may still find other opportunities with us. You’re welcome to explore open roles or create a job agent to stay connected with future opportunities at novonesis.com/Career
