Microbial Strain Engineer

Cranleigh Scientific; Oxford; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

HydRegen seeks a Genetic Scientist – Microbial Strain Engineering for its Biology R&D team in Oxford. You will develop plasmid and microbial strain libraries to support enzyme biocatalyst production and help scale up next-generation biocatalysts.

The role requires hands-on industrial experience in non-GMP microbial genetics, multi-gene expression, and genetic construct design, collaborating with fermentation, analytical science and production teams.

Qualifications

• Proven hands-on industrial experience in non-GMP microbial genetics for enzyme production.
• Practical experience with multi-gene bacterial expression and enzyme-yield optimisation.
• Experience with cloning, DNA assembly and mutagenesis.
• Experience with genome-engineering approaches such as CRISPR/Cas and/or FLP/FRT.
• Experience optimising gene expression and designing genetic constructs.
• Bioinformatics skills relevant to construct design and experimental work.
• High-quality laboratory records and safety documentation.

Responsibilities

• Develop plasmid and chromosomal systems for multi-gene recombinant enzyme expression.
• Identify and engineer genetic targets affecting transcription, translation, and metabolic burden.
• Apply knock-out/knock-in, gene editing, pathway engineering and DNA assembly.
• Optimise promoters, ribosome binding sites, terminators and copy number.
• Design experiments and characterise constructs using PCR, sequencing, and bioinformatics.
• Maintain genetic toolkits, plasmid libraries and strain collections.
• Use data from fermentation and analytics to guide design decisions.
• Prepare SOPs, reports, biosafety records and documentation.

Skills

Microbial genetics

Gene expression optimisation

Cloning & DNA assembly

Genome engineering

Bioinformatics

Laboratory documentation

Data analysis

Independent planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology, microbiology, genetics, synthetic biology or related discipline

Postgraduate degree (desirable)

Job description

Genetic Scientist – Microbial Strain Engineering (Biology R&D)

Oxford – Begbroke Science Park I £45,000–£55,000 depending on experience

Join HydRegen

We’re recruiting for a Genetic Scientist – Microbial Strain Engineering to join HydRegen, an innovative biotechnology company developing biocatalytic hydrogenation technologies for more sustainable chemical manufacturing through scalable, enzyme-based solutions.

This is an industrial R&D position for an experienced scientist with a strong background in microbial genetics, molecular biology, synthetic biology and metabolic engineering. You’ll play an important role in engineering microbial strains and expression systems to improve enzyme performance and support the scale-up of next‑generation biocatalysts.

Hands‑on industrial experience is essential for this position. We’re looking for candidates with proven industrial experience in non‑GMP microbial genetics for enzyme production. This should include practical experience of multi‑gene bacterial expression, enzyme‑yield optimisation, laboratory records and safety documentation.

The Role

Working within HydRegen’s Biology team and reporting to the Head of Biology, you’ll develop and improve plasmid and microbial strain libraries to support enzyme biocatalyst production.

Using a combination of laboratory‑based and in silico genetic techniques, you’ll work to improve enzyme expression, stability, titre, activity, yield, productivity and robustness.

You’ll collaborate closely with colleagues across fermentation, chemistry, analytical science, R&D, QC and production, using experimental and process data to guide genetic design and improve strain performance.

This is a non‑GMP, lab‑based industrial R&D role where scientific rigour, practical delivery and high‑quality documentation are equally important.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Develop plasmid and chromosomal systems for multi‑gene recombinant enzyme expression.


• Identify and engineer genetic targets affecting transcription, translation, protein maturation and metabolic burden.


• Apply techniques including knock‑out, knock‑in, gene editing, pathway engineering, cloning, DNA assembly and genomic integration.


• Optimise promoters, ribosome binding sites, terminators, copy number, selection markers, plasmid stability and expression control.


• Design experiments and characterise constructs using PCR, restriction digestion, sequencing and bioinformatics.


• Maintain genetic toolkits, plasmid libraries and microbial strain libraries.


• Use fermentation, test‑expression, metabolomics, carbon‑flux and expression‑marker data to guide genetic design.


• Analyse experimental data, draw clear conclusions and make practical recommendations.


• Work with fermentation, chemistry and analytical colleagues to optimise strain performance across screening and process conditions.


• Prepare and maintain SOPs, reports, risk assessments, biosafety records and other technical documentation.


• Support molecular biology and cell culture laboratory operations, including inventories, consumables, equipment checks and safety documentation.


• Communicate findings and recommendations clearly to internal teams and external partners.

Essential Experience

To be considered for this position, you will need:

• Proven, hands‑on industrial experience in non‑GMP microbial genetics for enzyme production.


• Practical industrial experience with multi‑gene bacterial expression and enzyme‑yield optimisation.


• A degree in biology, microbiology, genetics, synthetic biology or a related discipline.


• Practical experience with cloning, DNA assembly and mutagenesis.


• Experience with relevant genome‑engineering approaches such as homologous recombination, CRISPR/Cas and/or FLP/FRT.


• Experience optimising gene expression and designing genetic constructs.


• Bioinformatics skills relevant to construct design and experimental work.


• Experience maintaining high‑quality laboratory records and safety documentation.


• The ability to independently plan, deliver and analyse well‑designed experiments.


• Clear communication skills and an understanding of confidentiality and intellectual property within an industrial environment.

Desirable Experience

It would be advantageous, but is not essential, to have:

• A relevant postgraduate degree.


• Broader industrial biotechnology experience in microbial enzyme production.


• Experience of fermentation scale‑up or tuneable multi‑gene expression.


• Experience with Design of Experiments, statistical analysis or multivariate optimisation.


• Working knowledge of R, Python or Minitab.

Equal Opportunities

HydRegen welcomes applications from all suitably qualified people and will make reasonable adjustments for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.