Chief Operations Officer (COO) / Head of R&D

Cellcraft; Cambridge; On-site; Confidential; Full time

Job summary

Join a pioneering company on a mission to revolutionize meat production through cutting-edge technology. As a Product Lead, you will spearhead the scientific team's operations, collaborating closely with leadership to drive product innovation and development. Your role will involve managing a talented team, overseeing research and development, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a sustainable future, working in a dynamic startup environment at the historic University of Cambridge. If you are passionate about scientific advancement and have a proven track record in product management, we invite you to be part of this transformative journey.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

26 Holidays

Pension Plan

Flexible Hours

Stock Option Plan

Career Progression Opportunities

Work at University of Cambridge Facilities

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in BioProcess Engineering, Biotechnology, or related fields.
• 4+ years in product management within biotechnology or pharmaceutical industries.

Responsibilities

• Lead laboratory operations and guide R&D activities for product development.
• Manage cross-functional teams and ensure timely delivery of high-quality products.

Skills

Product Management

Strategic Thinking

Problem Solving

Team Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Adaptability

Education

PhD in BioProcess Engineering

PhD in Biotechnology

PhD in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Bioreactor

Laboratory Equipment

Job description

By harnessing the power of cell growth, we are creating state-of-the-art technology that you can use to cultivate real meat outside animal bodies – with no need for slaughter. We are creating a scalable cultured meat manufacturing system to empower food producers to make their own meats locally.

We are looking for a Product Lead to join our team! You will be responsible for leading the operations of our scientific team in their research and development product. We are a growing company, and we are looking for someone to collaborate with both the company's leadership (Directors) and team members to bring us to the next level. You will coordinate our team of high-performing professionals to be efficient, effective and productive. You excel in product and people management. You are an independent problem solver who likes to take the initiative and enjoys bringing ideas to fruition.

Tasks

Product Strategy

• Execute and help develop the product roadmap aligned with market needs, technology trends, and business objectives.

Leadership:

• You will be primarily responsible for leading laboratory operations and guiding the research and development activities of the company.
• You will help set the scientific strategies and research direction.
• You will be the liaison across a cross-functional team, ensuring the proper execution of plans to deliver high-quality products within defined timelines.

Product Development:

• Collaborate and coordinate between R&D, engineering, and design teams to bring innovative products from concept to launch.
• You will help drive scientific innovation and ensure that the company stays at the forefront of scientific advancements.

Team Management:

• You will manage, help recruit, and lead the day-to-day activities of the scientific team, including researchers, scientists, computational scientists, engineers, and technicians. You will be the bridge between the Company CSO/CTO, responsible for the scientific/engineering vision as well as planning, and the scientific team in the labs that will be executing and delivering on those plans.
• Support and mentor team members, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence.

Intellectual Property and Regulatory Affairs:

• You will often be involved in managing intellectual property, such as patents, and ensuring that the company's end product complies with regulatory requirements.
• You will implement quality by design, control, and quality assurance measures to maintain scientific rigor and reproducibility in research and development processes as well as production.

Scientific Collaboration:

• You will help build and maintain collaborations with academic institutions, research organizations, and industry partners to advance the company's scientific objectives.

Requirements

• Relevant PhD or equivalent work experience in a relevant subject such as BioProcess Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Natural Sciences, Biotechnology, or Chemical Engineering.
• Strong understanding and significant hands-on experience in cell line development, iPSC culture, media development, bioprocess development, bioreactor development, mammalian cell culture, tissue engineering, and biomaterials/scaffolding development.
• Significant experience with Bioreactor operation, process development, and scale-up.
• Proven experience (4+ years) in product management or a related role within the bioprocessing, biotechnology, or pharmaceutical industry.
• Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional teams and delivering products from conception to market.
• Experience taking new biotechnology products from lab to market.
• Excellent communication, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• A resilient and can-do mindset to inspire and lead the team.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment, adapting quickly to changing needs and priorities.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships and teamwork skills.
• Ability to deliver on established plans and grant projects as well as goals set by the Directors even if the plans didn't come from you.

Benefits

Competitive salary

26 holidays (not including bank holidays) and pension plan

Flexible hours

Highly competitive stock option plan

Potential for excellent career progression

Contribute to the development of cutting-edge technologies and work with the leaders in the field.

Work in facilities at the world-renowned, historical University of Cambridge which has produced the most Nobel Laureates.

We are on a mission to bring sustainable, slaughter-free meat production lines to tackle some of the world's largest challenges, such as global warming and save 90 Billion lives a year. If you share our values, we hope you join us on this intellectually stimulating, professionally rewarding, and altruistic mission to make the world a kinder place.

OUR VALUES

COMPASSIONATE DRIVE - We put people at the core of our push for change, focusing on the needs of sentient beings and our planet.

INVENTIVE VISION - We foster a highly innovative environment, accelerating creativity and novel ideas which deliver inventive and refreshing solutions for good.

SCIENTIFIC RIGOUR - Science is the pursuit of the uncompromising truth, and so this is where we have set the bar in all aspects.

POLYMATH SPIRIT - Our work demands myriad skills and expertise, enabling us to deliver impact to our partners holistically.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer. We are committed to creating inclusive teams and providing a work environment that allows all to be themselves.