Senior Synthetic Biologist (Metabolic Engineering)

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health and wellness benefits

Professional development opportunities

State‑of‑the‑art facilities

Remote work options

Generous vacation

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Synthetic Biologist based in Paarl, Western Cape, with remote work options. You will design and construct novel biological systems and metabolic pathways for sustainable production of chemicals, materials, and biofuels, applying genetics, molecular biology and biochemical engineering principles.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD and 5+ years of industry or post‑doctoral experience in synthetic biology/metabolic engineering, with hands‑on fermentation and bioprocess

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field.
• Minimum of 5 years industry or post‑doctoral experience in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering.
• Proven track record designing and constructing complex genetic constructs and metabolic pathways.
• Hands‑on Fermentation and bioprocess optimization experience.
• Proficiency in molecular cloning techniques and gene editing tools.
• Experience with metabolic modeling and flux analysis is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Design, construct, and test synthetic gene circuits and metabolic pathways.
• Use CRISPR and Gibson Assembly for pathway optimization in microbial hosts.
• Develop high-throughput screening methods for pathway performance evaluation.
• Perform metabolic flux analysis and modeling to guide strain engineering.
• Optimize fermentation processes for target molecule production.
• Characterize microbial strains and fermentation products using analytical techniques.
• Troubleshoot experimental and process challenges with effective solutions.
• Collaborate with process engineers and downstream processing teams.
• Contribute to project planning, data analysis, and scientific reporting.

Skills

Gene circuit design

Metabolic engineering

CRISPR

Gibson Assembly

Fermentation optimization

Metabolic modeling

Molecular cloning

Bioprocess analysis

Analytical techniques

Remote collaboration

Education

PhD in Synthetic Biology, Metabolic Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Molecular Biology or related field

Tools

CRISPR

Gibson Assembly

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in sustainable biotechnology, is seeking a Senior Synthetic Biologist with a strong background in metabolic engineering. This role is based in **Paarl, Western Cape**, and allows for remote work. You will be instrumental in designing and constructing novel biological systems and metabolic pathways for the sustainable production of chemicals, materials, and biofuels. This position requires a deep understanding of genetic engineering, molecular biology, and biochemical engineering principles, combined with hands‑on laboratory experience. You will work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to drive innovation and develop scalable bioprocesses. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a greener future through cutting‑edge biotechnology.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, construct, and test novel synthetic gene circuits and metabolic pathways.
• Utilize genetic engineering tools (e.g., CRISPR, Gibson Assembly) for pathway optimization in microbial hosts.
• Develop and implement high-throughput screening methods for pathway performance evaluation.
• Perform metabolic flux analysis and modeling to guide strain engineering efforts.
• Optimize fermentation processes for the efficient production of target molecules.
• Characterize microbial strains and fermentation products using analytical techniques.
• Troubleshoot experimental and process challenges, implementing effective solutions.
• Collaborate with process engineers and downstream processing teams.
• Contribute to project planning, data analysis, and scientific reporting.

Requirements

• PhD in Synthetic Biology, Metabolic Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Molecular Biology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of industry or post-doctoral experience in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering.
• Proven track record in designing and constructing complex genetic constructs and metabolic pathways.
• Hands‑on experience with microbial fermentation and bioprocess optimization.
• Proficiency in molecular cloning techniques, gene editing tools, and molecular biology assays.
• Experience with metabolic modeling and flux analysis tools is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities, crucial for **remote** team dynamics.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple research projects.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Opportunities for professional development and attending scientific conferences.
• Access to state-of-the-art synthetic biology and fermentation facilities.
• Contribution to sustainable solutions and environmental impact.
• Flexible **remote** work arrangements.
• Collaborative and innovative team environment.
• Generous paid vacation time.