Associate Director Biotechnology

dsm-firmenich; Delft; On-site; EUR 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dynamic R&D environment

International team

Career development

Job summary

dsm-firmenich in Delft seeks an Associate Director to strengthen the Center for Biotech Innovation. You will lead a 15-person team and oversee a focused portfolio, coordinating technical projects across disciplines to deliver innovative biotechnological processes used in foods, perfumery, and beauty.

You will be part of the leadership team, driving project portfolio development and enabling cross-functional collaboration with fellow directors and principal scientists to push technology forward.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Biotechnology, Bioengineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of hands-on industry experience.
• Proven track record in project or innovation management.
• Experienced line manager.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate projects from a technical perspective across disciplines including laboratory automation, strain development, fermentation and purification process development, and microbiology support.
• Lead and develop your team of direct reports.
• Be part of the Center for Biotechnology leadership team and collaborate to set and execute the preferred project portfolio and future technologies.

Skills

Project management

People management

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Master's/PhD in Biotechnology or related field

Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated Associate Director to strengthen our research team at the Center for Biotech Innovation in Delft. In this role, you will lead the team and contribute to the development of innovative biotechnological processes that enable the production of ingredients and molecules used across a wide range of applications—from everyday food products to perfumery and beauty.

You will focus on technical management of a focused portfolio of projects in combination with line management of a team of 15 direct reports.

Your key responsibilities

• You apply relevant scientific knowledge in your own field.
• You coordinate projects from a technical perspective where you bring internal and external parties together to smoothly execute projects, which includes all relevant disciplines like laboratory automation, strain development, fermentation and purification process development, and microbiology support.
• You actively lead and develop your team of direct reports, of which many will work in the projects you coordinate.
• You are part of the Center for Biotechnology leadership team, in which you will closely collaborate with fellow directors and principal scientists to ensure we develop, establish and execute the preferred project portfolio and develop future technologies.

We offer

• A dynamic R&D environment where you can contribute to impactful innovations in a competitive industry.
• Exposure to cutting-edge technologies in industrial strain development.
• An international team that is not afraid to think outside of the box.
• Supportive career development, with opportunities for both vertical and lateral growth.
• A nonhierarchical organization where discussions on content are daily practice.
• The opportunity to make a difference by contributing to products used by millions every day—including yourself.

You bring

• A Master's or PhD degree in Biotechnology, Bioengineering, or a related field with over 10 years of hands-on experience in industry.
• You have a proven track record on both project or innovation management.
• You are an experienced line manager.
• A strong sense of ownership and accountability—you take initiative, speak up, and follow through.
• You focus on what matters and drive results, you’re always looking for ways to improve workflows and processes, and you’re not afraid to get hands-on.
• A natural curiosity and openness to new ideas—you believe progress starts by asking, “Is there a better way?”
• A collaborative spirit—you thrive in cross-functional, international teams and show initiative when contributing to project work.

About dsm-firmenich

Join our global team powered by science, creativity, and a shared purpose: to bring progress to life.

And while you’re making a difference, we’ll make sure you’re growing too. With learning that never stops, a culture that lifts you up and the freedom to move across businesses, teams, and borders. Your voice matters here. And your ideas? They’re essential to our future.