Scientist/Senior Technician Microbial Strain Development

Job Vacancy: Scientist/Senior Technician Strain Development

Company: Vivici BV

Location: Biopartner 5, de Limes 7, 2342 DH Oegstgeest, The Netherlands

Employment Type: Full-time

About Vivici

Vivici, founded by DSM and Fonterra, is dedicated to commercializing animal-free dairy proteins obtained through precision fermentation. Our mission is to meet the world’s growing need for nutritious, highly functional, sustainable and great tasting ingredients. By making precision fermentation a trusted and economically viable reality we contribute to a resilient food system that helps feed the world.

Biotechnology R&D

Vivici is expanding its biotechnology R&D laboratory. The main scope of this laboratory is the production of lab-scale protein samples (prototypes), to be tested and analyzed by the Functionality and Application teams at Vivici. Experts of strain engineering, fermentation, downstream processing and analytics work hand in hand, well connected to a growing group of technology and business partners.

The role

We have an opening in the field of microbial strain development. As a member of our strain development team, you will play an important role in the overall design, development, execution and evaluation of microbial and genetic experiments.

You will be responsible for the genetic/synthetic biology scientific and technical excellence, preparing technical reports, data summaries, protocols and other technical and regulatory documentations. Furthermore, you will be participating in the development of an intellectual property strategy and file patent applications in collaboration with peers and the legal team.

As Vivici is deeply embedded in a network of technical partners such as CROs and CDMOs, you will contribute as a molecular biology expert to steer and/or consult in those collaborations.

Your Tasks

• Design and execute strain engineering strategies using molecular biology, synthetic biology, and metabolic engineering approaches
• Construct, characterize, and optimize microbial strains for improved yield, titer, productivity, robustness, or specific phenotypes
• Perform cloning, genome editing (e.g. CRISPR or similar techniques), pathway optimization, and strain screening
• Design and analyze experiments; interpret complex datasets to guide strain improvement decisions
• Collaborate with fermentation and process development teams to translate lab-scale results to larger-scale systems
• Maintain detailed experimental records and contribute to technical reports, presentations, and intellectual property filings
• Troubleshoot experimental challenges and propose innovative solutions
• Stay up to date with advances in strain engineering, synthetic biology, and related technologies
• Mentor junior colleagues or research associates as needed

Required Qualifications

• PhD or MSc in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Biotechnology or a related field
• Strong hands-on experience with microbial strain engineering, preferably in yeast (ideally Pichia pastoris ), or fungi
• Proficiency in molecular biology techniques (cloning, PCR, sequencing, genome editing such as CRISPR-Cas9, recombination techniques)
• Experience designing and analyzing biological experiments with statistical rigor
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced R&D/start-up environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with high-throughput strain construction and screening
• Familiarity with metabolic modeling or bioinformatics tools
• Prior industry or startup experience in biotech or industrial biology

Key Competences

• Scientific rigor and creativity
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Attention to detail and data integrity
• Collaborative mindset
• Adaptability and curiosity

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge biotechnology
• Collaborative and innovative work environment
• Professional growth and career development opportunities

What is in it for you?

At Vivici, we foster an innovative and collaborative work environment, providing exceptional opportunities for professional growth and development. Working at Vivici you will find yourself in a young, agile and fast-paced organization, with a strong focus on open innovation. As Scientist/Senior Technician strain development, you will play a pivotal role in revolutionizing the food industry. We offer competitive compensation packages and benefits, along with the chance to make a significant impact on the future of food.

If you meet the above requirements and are passionate about the science of precision fermentation and animal-free dairy, we invite you to apply for this position. Please submit your resume and cover letter to Marcus Hans, Director R&D, [email protected]. We look forward to reviewing your application.