Group Leader or Department Manager, Strain Engineering

Novonesis; Davis (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with up to 9% company contrib.

Generous vacation & holidays

Wellness time

Health, dental, vision & life保险

HSA option

Tuition reimbursement

Parental leave

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Novonesis in Davis, California, is seeking a Group Leader/Department Manager for Strain Engineering. You will lead a research group dedicated to engineering microorganisms for production of small molecules or proteins, shaping strategy and executing advanced projects.

You will collaborate with global colleagues, integrate fermentation, systems biology and omics, and balance leadership with hands-on scientific contributions.

Qualifications

• PhD and 5+ years in Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Systems Biology or related field; or MS and 8+ years of experience; or BS with 10+ years of experience.
• Demonstrated industry experience leading metabolic engineering projects and cross-functional R&D teams.
• Experience coaching, mentoring, and developing scientific talent.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a research team dedicated to engineering microorganisms for production of small molecules or proteins.
• Shape the strategy and execution of strain engineering projects that employ metabolic and pathway engineering.
• Integrate expertise across strain engineering, microbial physiology, fermentation, systems biology and omics while balancing people leadership and individual contributions.

Skills

People leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Metabolic engineering

Biochemical/Chemical engineering

Systems biology

Computational statistics

Education

PhD with 5+ years in Biochemical/Chemical Engineering or related field; MS with 8+ years; or BS with 10+ years

Job description

Interested in a career that matters?The Role and Your Impact:Welcome to the role of Group Leader/Department Manager, Strain Engineering . You will join an empowered, cross-disciplinary R&D site that thrives on solving complex scientific challenges through collaboration and diverse expertise. We embrace ambitious goals, view change as an opportunity for growth and innovation, and foster an environment where individuals are empowered to contribute and learn from one another. Success is driven by a shared commitment to scientific excellence, mutual support, and the belief that the best outcomes are achieved when the team succeeds together.You will lead and develop a research team dedicated to engineering microorganisms for production of small molecules or proteins. Beyond team leadership, this individual will play a key role in shaping the strategy and execution of strain engineering projects that employ metabolic and pathway engineering. The position requires close collaboration with colleagues around the globe to provide scientific insight for future product concepts and technology development. Effective candidates will bring a strong ability to integrate expertise across strain engineering, microbial physiology, fermentation, systems biology and omics while balancing people leadership and individual contributions.Key Responsibilities in this role:Lead and develop a research team dedicated to engineering microorganisms for production of small molecules or proteinsShape the strategy and execution of strain engineering projects that employ metabolic and pathway engineering by collaborating with colleagues around the globe to provide scientific insight for future product concepts and technology development.Integrate expertise across strain engineering, microbial physiology, fermentation, systems biology and omics while balancing people leadership and individual contributions.What You Will Need to be Successful:PhD and 5+ years of experience in Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Systems Biology or related field; or MS and 8+ years of experience; or BS with 10+ years of experience.2+ years of people leadership and development experience with a strong commitment to coaching, mentoring, and developing scientific talent.Demonstrated industry experience leading metabolic engineering projects and cross-functional R&D teams, including multi-site collaborations with internal and external stakeholders.Additional Skills and Interests We Value:Industry experience working with diverse microbial hosts, including non-model bacteria and yeast.Experience in applying computational and statistical methodologies to accelerate metabolic engineering programs. Compensation & BenefitsExpected base salary range: $150,000 to $170,000 annually (depending on experience)401(k) with up to a 9% company contributionMinimum of 3 weeks of vacation plus 12 holidays and 2 weeks of Wellness TimeHealth, Dental, Vision & Life insuranceHealthcare savings account optionEmployee assistance programParental leaveTuition reimbursementAll benefits begin on your first dayWays of Working:Onsite in Davis, CaliforniaTravel frequency is typically 1-3 weeks per yearApplication Deadline : November 8, 2026Our purpose guides the wayIn Novonesis, we know that solutions rooted in biology can help solve humanity’s biggest challenges. Since we began more than a century ago, this has been our guide. It’s how we've gotten so far. And it’s how we'll impact the future. Now, more than ever, the world needs change. And with biosolutions, the possibilities for transformation are endless. If our purpose resonates with you, we encourage you to apply.Opportunities for everyoneWe are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and equal opportunity for all applicants. Therefore we ask you to apply without a cover letter or photo and instead include a few sentences in your CV explaining your motivation for applying.We make all employment decisions based on business needs and welcome candidates with a wide range of backgrounds, including ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status.Explore other openingsIf this position isn’t the right fit, you may still find other opportunities with us. You’re welcome to explore open roles or create a job agent to stay connected with future opportunities at novonesis.com/Career