Scientist III, Strain Development - Decatur, IL

Archer Daniels Midland Company; Newman; On-site; AUD 128,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site wellness center

401(k) with matching

Employee stock purchase program

Job summary

Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) is seeking a Scientist III in strain development to design, build, and test yeast strains with heterologous pathways for high-impact projects. You will apply genome editing, molecular biology, and phenotypic screening to advance ADM's low-pH platform yeast for improved fermentation performance.

You will collaborate with experts in metabolic engineering, automation & high-throughput screening, genomics, and fermentation, contributing to Design-Build-Test-Learn

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology (or related field) or M.Sc. degree with 5+ years industry experience.
• Understanding of yeast and/or microbial molecular genetics, cell biology and physiology.
• Track record of using 96 well plate methods for molecular cloning and/or biochemical assays.
• Experience interpreting genetic, molecular biology and biochemistry data.
• Ability to use bioinformatics and sequence analysis tools (familiarity with Python or R is desirable).
• Working knowledge of bio-based production and fermentation KPIs.
• Ability to generate, organize, analyze and interpret large datasets.
• Demonstrated success working within inter-disciplinary team.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with both technical and non-technical personnel.

Responsibilities

• Design and build yeast strains containing heterologous metabolic pathways and/or loss-of-function mutations.
• Deploy genome editing technologies to efficiently build new yeast strains.
• Design experiments, analyze and interpret data, and report findings on strain performance to link genotype to phenotype.
• Further optimize strain engineering methods to accelerate Design-Build-Test-Learn cycles.
• Analyze and interpret NGS genomic sequencing results (e.g., DNA-seq, RNA-seq).
• Collaborate with automation scientists to transfer manual bench-scale experiments to high-throughput robotic platforms.
• Maintain detailed notes in Benchling ELN/LIMS to enable data sharing and collaboration across project teams.
• Contribute to a team-oriented, positive and safe work environment.

Skills

Genome editing

Molecular biology

Data analysis

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in molecular biology/biochemistry/biotechnology

M.Sc. with 5+ years industry experience

Tools

Python

R

Bioinformatics tools

Job description

Scientist III, Strain Development- Decatur, IL

Position Summary:

ADM Cell Engineering is recruiting an experienced synthetic biologist to join our strain development team. This scientist will design, build and test yeast strains for a high impact project that supports the ADM BioSolutions sustainable materials strategy. The successful candidate will play a key role in advancing ADM's low-pH platform yeast by combining genome editing, molecular biology, and phenotypic screens to build and test metabolically reprogrammed yeast strains for improved fermentation performance. This scientist will collaborate with project leaders and subject matter experts in metabolic engineering, automation & high-throughput screening, genomics and fermentation. This is an important role within ADM’s Biotechnology Group and scientists with industry experience or experience genetically engineering industrial yeast are encouraged to apply.

Job Responsibilities:

• Design and build yeast strains containing heterologous metabolic pathways and/or loss-of-function mutations.
• Deploy state-of-the-art genome editing technologies to efficiently build new yeast strains.
• Design experiments, analyze and interpret data, and report findings on strain performance to link genotype to phenotype.
• Further optimize strain engineering methods to accelerate Design-Build-Test-Learn cycles.
• Analyze and interpret NGS genomic sequencing results (e.g., DNA-seq, RNA-seq).
• Collaborate with automation scientists to transfer manual bench-scale experiments to high-throughput robotic platforms.
• Maintain detailed notes in Benchling ELN/LIMS to enable data sharing and collaboration across project teams.
• Contribute to a team-oriented, positive and safe work environment.

Job Requirements:

• Ph.D. in molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology (or related field) or M.Sc. degree with 5+ years industry experience.
• An understanding of yeast and/or microbial molecular genetics, cell biology and physiology.
• A track record of using 96 well plate methods for molecular cloning and/or biochemical assays.
• Experience interpreting genetic, molecular biology and biochemistry data.
• Ability to use bioinformatics and sequence analysis tools (familiarity with Python or R is desirable).
• Working knowledge of bio-based production and fermentation key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Ability to generate, organize, analyze and interpret large datasets.
• Demonstrated success working within inter-disciplinary team.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with both technical and non-technical personnel.

ADM requires the successful completion ofabackground check.

Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours.

If hired, employees will be in an "at-will position" and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

The pay range for this position is expected to be between:

Benefits and Perks

Enriching the quality of life for the world begins by taking care of our colleagues. In addition to competitive pay, we support your diverse needs with a comprehensive total rewards package to enhance your well-being, including:

• Physical wellness – medical/Rx, dental, vision and on-site wellness center access or gym reimbursement (as applicable).
• Financial wellness – flexible spending accounts, health savings account, 401(k) with matching contributions and cash balance plan, discounted employee stock purchasing program, life insurance, disability, workers' compensation, legal assistance, identity theft protection.
• Mental and social wellness – Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Colleague Giving Programs (ADM Cares).

Additional benefits include:

• Paid time off including paid holidays.
• Adoption assistance and paid maternity and parental leave.
• Tuition assistance.
• Company-sponsored training and development resources, such as LinkedIn Learning, language training and mentoring programs.

*Benefits may vary for bargained locations, confirm benefit eligibility with your recruiter.

#IncludingYou

Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are cornerstones of ADM's efforts to continue innovating, driving growth, and delivering outstanding performance. We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce and create welcoming, truly inclusive work environments - environments that enable every ADM colleague to feel comfortable on the job, make meaningful contributions to our success, and grow their career. We respect and value the unique backgrounds and experiences that each person can bring to ADM because we know that diversity of perspectives makes us better, together.

We welcome everyone to apply. We are committed to ensuring all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, language, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

About ADM

At ADM, we unlock the power of nature to provide access to nutrition worldwide. With industry-advancing innovations, a complete portfolio of ingredients and solutions to meet any taste, and a commitment to sustainability, we give customers an edge in solving the nutritional challenges of today and tomorrow. We are a global leader in human and animal nutrition and the world's premier agricultural origination and processing company. Our breadth, depth, insights, facilities and logistical expertise give us unparalleled capabilities to meet needs for food, beverages, health and wellness, and more. From the seed of the idea to the outcome of the solution, we enrich the quality of life the world over. Learn more at www.adm.com.