Head of Synthetic Biology Design & Profiling (W/M)

We, as bioengineering, develop and operate the largest private integrated industrial biofoundry in France, working in conjunction to a Gene Editing Synthetic Biology hub in the USA, and deliverto the Lesaffre’s Mission of “Working together to better nourish and protect the planet”.

Our Mission: We lead microbial engineering for a sustainable future. 

As Manager of Synthetic Biology Design and Profiling group, you will play a decisive role in shaping the future of industrial biotechnology at the Biofoundry of Lesaffre.  

Your mission will be to manage a team of scientists, research associates and technicians which will design, construct and optimize novel genetic circuits, microbial chassis and metabolic pathways to unlock the potential of microorganisms for a wide range of applications.  

Our Approach: We manage an international team of motivated, risk-taking scientists and engineers to merge biology, engineering, automation and computation. Your expertise in synthetic biology will be essential to driving innovation and accelerating the development of high-performing microbial strains. 

Keywords: Synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, biofabrication, genetic circuit design, DNA assembly, high-throughput assembly, automation, Python, laboratory informatics. 

Your main responsibilities will be :

• Animate & manage your team: mentoring, goal-settings, performance evaluation and motivating cross-functional teams.
• Design and construct novel genetic pathways and microbial chassis using state-of-the-art synthetic biology tools.
• Translating customer requirements into strain design: participate to steering committee meetings, update plans based on feedback, anticipate what the customers are asking or will ask for. 
• Develop automated workflows for rapid prototyping, testing and optimization of engineered microorganisms.
• Stakeholder management: collaborate within the Biofoundry with HTS and Automation, and with other CoEs (Biodata, Fermentation, Analytical, DSP…) to integrate your synthetic biology constructs into full DBTL cycles. 
• Resource and Budget management of the team. 
• Stay abreast of the latest synthetic biology technologies and methodologies to continuously improve our capabilities.
• Mentor junior scientists and engineers, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.
• Represent the Biofoundry's Synthetic Biology initiatives internally and externally through presentations and technical reports.

Qualifications

• PhD in synthetic biology, molecular biology, bioengineering or a related field.
• Experience of leading teams with several layers of reports. 
• Demonstrated expertise in designing, constructing and testing metabolic pathways.
• Proficiency in DNA assembly techniques, such as Gibson assembly, Golden Gate, and modular cloning.
• Expertise in genome editing, CrispR Cas, lambda red or else.
• Experience with high-throughput strain engineering and screening workflows.
• An understanding of intellectual property rights and their implications for synthetic biology research and development would be considered a valuable asset. 
• Programming Knowledge in Python or other relevant languages.  
• Familiarity with laboratory automation, liquid handling and data management tools.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary, international team.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills in English.

Additional Information

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of industrial biotechnology and contribute to Lesaffre's mission of creating a more sustainable world. If you are passionate about synthetic biology and ready to push the boundaries of what's possible, we encourage you to apply. 

What can Lesaffre International offer you:

• We are a successful family-owned company with long-standing history where people truly matter.
• We promote a sense of fulfilment with a genuine mission: nourish and protect the planet.
• A good working atmosphere, in a brand-new Campus (With a Gym, a Restaurant, …) fostering synergies and teamwork.

At Lesaffre, diversity is a strength that enriches our culture and our teams. We are committed to offering you a work environment where you can thrive, regardless of your background, gender, age or abilities. We encourage all applications, as we believe that diverse perspectives strengthen our ability to innovate and meet the challenges of tomorrow.