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Positions Available
Senior Scientist - Metabolic Engineering
We are seeking a highly motivated and uniquely skilled scientist for design and development of novel biocatalysts. The Scientist will be responsible for developing chemical production pathways in our proprietary engineered microbial strain. The Scientist will join a team working on metabolic pathway design, genetic construct design, strain construction, phenotype analysis to improve the performance of the microbe via multiple, iterative rounds of genome engineering. In addition, the Scientist will be part of the foundational technical team and will have the opportunity to shape the scientific environment and establish best practices within a growing company. efficient biocatalysts through our current design-build-test cycle, which includes pathway design and strain design using computational approaches, high-throughput molecular biology work-flow, and bioprocess scale-up.
Immediate responsibilities include:
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Computational design and implementation of metabolic pathways and engineering strategies for target chemical molecules.
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Translation of these metabolic pathway designs into genetic constructs and new microbial strain designs.
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Guide experimental projects to achieve company goals; analyze and present fermentation data; and determine next steps.
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Scale-up and optimization of the candidate strains in laboratory fermenters (250 mL – 80L scale ), and optimization of production metric
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Building and managing a team of research associates and technicians for development of new products.
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Analysis of data from phenotype testing and using knowledge of microbial metabolism to design a new set of genetic constructs for the next round of strain engineering.
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Lead and/or support technology transfer operations at external piloting, tolling, and manufacturing sites.
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Participate in process evaluations through the analysis and interpretation of lab and demonstration scale data, technical literature, and process simulations. Translate this information into equipment and process specifications, and provide recommendations for further R&D and intellectual property opportunities.
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Mentor and manage junior level personnel.
Qualifications:
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PhD in Chemical Engineering, Microbial Genetics, Biochemistry or similar. Post-doctoral or industry experience preferred. of Must have demonstrated experience as a metabolic engineer.
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2+ years of experience after PhD preferred.
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Experience with high-throughput molecular biology techniques for metabolic engineering. (Ex. Proficient in Gibson Assembly, LCR, and CRISPR).
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Working experience with fermentation equipment (any scale) with an understanding of bioprocess optimization.
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Familiar with metabolic modeling techniques including Flux Balance Analysis and/or Elementary Mode Analysis and MATLAB.
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Additionally, the candidate should demonstrate creativity and clear problem-solving aptitude, with good communication and leadership skills.
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Deep understanding of cellular physiology and metabolism of E. coli or non-conventional yeast strains.
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Deep understanding of processes associated with target molecule production, including redox metabolism, energy usage, product transport, impact on growth and health, etc.
This position is based in Toronto. Competitive salary and employee stock options.
Research Associate - Metabolic Engineering
We are currently seeking a research associate to support projects related to metabolic engineering. This position will focus on chemical production in the host organism and the candidate is expected to have a strong background in metabolic engineering, molecular biology, genetics, and ideally synthetic biology. Strong technical, organizational, and communication skills, as well as the ability to develop creative solutions to challenging problems, are essential.
Immediate responsibilities include:
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Genetic design of strains to produce desired compounds in engineered microbes.
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Optimize the cultivation condition and assays for strain screening
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Routinely perform molecular biology techniques such as primer design, PCR, DNA and RNA extraction, DNA mutagenesis, DNA cloning, plasmid mini-prep, DNA sequence analysis, cell transformation, cell culture, and other more advanced molecular biology techniques in support of research projects.
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Perform experiments for enzymatic activity testing including express proteins in coli and yeast, recombinant proteins purification; analyze expressed proteins by SDS-PAGE and/or in vitro / in vivo enzymatic assays.
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Operate laboratory and experimental equipment such as spectrophotometers, centrifuges, HPLC, LC/MS and fermentation reactors.
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Work collaboratively with other team members to accomplish project goals and milestones.
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Routinely track and document results in laboratory notebooks and databases.
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Analyze, summarize, and present experimental results to team leader and other team members.
Qualifications:
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Master’s Chemical Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering, Microbiology or related field, required direct relevant fermentation experience.
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Experience with standard molecular biology techniques (PCR, DNA extraction, mini-prep, primer design)
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Experience with design, development, optimization, scale-up, and/or technology transfer of industrial fermentation-based production processes.
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Experience developing fermentation processes for both bacteria and yeast
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Advanced process modeling capabilities (Excel, Python, Aspen, Matlab, etc.).
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Strong mechanical aptitude and knowledge of fermentor control hardware/software.
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Proven ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
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Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and strong computer skills (Microsoft Office, etc.).
This position is based in Toronto. Competitive salary and employee stock options.
Applications Engineer/Scientist (Chemistry)
The Applications Engineer is responsible for helping Phycus Biotechnologies develop new and novel product applications for its chemicals of interest. In this capacity, the Applications Engineering will work identify, develop, and evaluate new product chemistries. They will work closely with the business development team to advise on market opportunities. The role requires extensive knowledge of the practical application of materials science, engineering science and technology expertise and you will help develop new products by developing new chemistries. Application research and development experience in areas related to engineering plastics. Processing of polymeric materials by blending/compounding, extrusion, sheet production, fiber/non-wovens, etc. Development of new ester formulations.
Responsibilities:
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Collaborates with colleagues within the functional team to achieve group goals, including support for technology projects, the manufacturing function, and customer inquiries
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Aware of the scope of other technical disciplines and how they interact within a given project
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Frequently uses general knowledge of industry practices, techniques, and standards
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Adapts existing methods and procedures to account for changes in input conditions or output requirements
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Represents team by verbally presenting information at the Department level
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May lead Technology Projects that have short-to-mid-term impact on the Technology Organization and support the goals and vision of the organization
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Documents work plans, results, analysis, and conclusions of tasks and small projects in an archiving system
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Identifies and secures support for small research topics under limited supervision
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Aware of breadth of operations and primary customers; has contact with Customers and is aware of their key business focus
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Interacts with instrument and laboratory equipment suppliers for routine maintenance or installation of new items
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Innovates to provide new solutions or knowledge extension for product application, process technology, and core capabilities of the company.
Qualifications:
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Bachelor’s degree in Polymer Science, Materials Engineering, or Chemical Engineering.
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Must have knowledge of the practical application of materials science, engineering science and technology
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Up to 5 years of relevant industry or academic work experience in Rheological characterization of polymeric materials including thermoplastics and thermosets. Experience should include parallel plate rheometry, extensional rheometry, capillary rheometry, and dynamic mechanical analyses.
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Ability to read and understand the technical disclosure of patent literature, and works with Intellectual Property Manager to seek guidance from legal counsel on legal issues (e.g. patentability and non-infringement)
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Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem solving skills
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Understands the plans for meeting the business strategy and objectives, and how it relates to daily activities
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Demonstrates speed and flexibility as appropriate in responding and adapting to changes
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Strong customer focus and service orientation with the ability to interact effectively with employees and vendors at all levels in a cross cultural setting
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Understands the plans for meeting the business strategy and objectives, and how it relates to daily activities
Additional Experience Preferred:
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Thermal characterization of materials using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), etc.
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Characterization of polymeric materials including transition temperatures and crystallization kinetics by DSC, crystal growth and morphology by optical microscopy, mechanical property testing for tensile strength (Instron), impact (Izod, Gardner, …), etc.
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Application research and development experience in areas related to engineering plastics. Processing of polymeric materials by blending / compounding, extrusion, sheet production, fiber/non-wovens, etc.
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Experience with computer-aided design/computer-aided engineering software such as SolidWorks
Industrial Post-Doc - Metabolic Engineering
This is a support role to the Senior Metabolic Engineer. Supported by Phycus and a paid internship through NSERC or MITACS. We are seeking a highly motivated and uniquely skilled scientist to lead a specific project within one chemical production pipeline. The Scientist will be responsible improving chemical production yields and will develop dynamic control strategies for chemical production. This position will also require experience with bioprocess optimization. This position may transition to a full time position at Phycus upon completion of the project.
Immediate responsibilities include:
-
Computational design and implementation of metabolic pathways and engineering strategies for target chemical molecules.
-
Translation of these metabolic pathway designs into genetic constructs and new microbial strain designs.
-
Scale-up and optimization of the candidate strains in laboratory fermenters, and optimization of production metric
-
Building and managing a team of research associates and technicians for development of new products.
-
Analysis and design of metabolic pathways for the production of a wide variety of molecules across multiple microbes.
-
Analysis of data from phenotype testing and using knowledge of microbial metabolism to design a new set of genetic constructs for the next round of strain engineering.
-
Guide experimental projects to achieve company goals; analyze and present fermentation data; and determine next steps.
-
Participate in process evaluations through the analysis and interpretation of lab and demonstration scale data, technical literature, and process simulations. Translate this information into equipment and process specifications, and provide recommendations for further R&D and intellectual property opportunities.
-
Mentor and manage junior level personnel.
Qualifications:
-
PhD in Chemical Engineering, Microbial Genetics, Biochemistry or similar. Post-doctoral or industry experience preferred. of Must have demonstrated experience as a metabolic engineer.
-
Experience with high-throughput molecular biology techniques for metabolic engineering. (Ex. Proficient in Gibson Assembly, LCR, and CRISPR).
-
We are also looking for experience with fermenter assembly and control with an understanding of bioprocess optimization.
-
Should be familiar with metabolic modeling techniques including Flux Balance Analysis and/or Elementary Mode Analysis and MATLAB.
-
Additionally, the candidate should demonstrate creativity and clear problem-solving aptitude, with good communication and leadership skills.
-
Deep understanding of cellular physiology and metabolism of E. coli or non-conventional yeast strains.
-
Deep understanding of processes associated with target molecule production, including redox metabolism, energy usage, product transport, impact on growth and health, etc.
This position is based in Toronto. Competitive salary and employee stock options.