Director of Bioprocessing

MojiaBio is an emerging SynBio company with its goal to revolutionize conventional chemical industry with advanced biomanufacturing. The company is growing rapidly, investing in its leadership, team, and technology, with support from some of the world renowned visionary investors. In 2020, it completed its $41M Series A round by Asian Green Fund (lead), Bits & Bites, Hillhouse and Richland. In 2022, it completed an $80M Series B round led by Temasek, Sento Investment, LYZZ Capital and existing investors. Leveraging cutting edge synthetic biotechnology, MojiaBio works at the interface between biology and chemistry to lead and drive disruptive changes to today’s chemical industry, offering low carbon footprint and sustainable green chemical processes to meet humanity’s current needs. To support the rapid growth of its global R&D organization and expansion of its translational R&D team in Shanghai, MojiaBio has an opening for the Director of Bioprocessing.

Reporting to the CTO, the Director of Bioprocessing will be a key member of the R&D core in Shanghai. The role will involve leading R&D projects, and will lead a team of biotechnologists to develop and scale up biobased chemical products, creating green and sustainable solutions for biomanufacturing. The ideal candidate has a passion for science and an interest in developing novel, disruptive technologies and platforms. The position will lead, mentor and grow MojiaBio’s talented team.

Specifically, the Director of Bioprocessing will bring strong scientific capabilities related to bacterial and yeast fermentation technologies, biotransformation, bioprocess scale-up and technology transfer. This individual should be comfortable operating in a fast-paced, dynamic and innovative interdisciplinary environment.

Job Descriptions:

· Lead a team of fermentation and biotransformation technologists to develop and optimize bioprocesses for chemical products

· Design, coordinate, and lead programs to evaluate operating conditions, medium formulations, and feeding strategies to improve productivity and yield in small scale and pilot scale bioreactors that apply scientific and engineering principles, research theories, models, and hands-on technical expertise

· Perform data analysis to track key performance indicators and guide experimental planning

· Troubleshoot bioprocess critical issues and find viable solutions, by using appropriate information, analysis, and problem-solving skills

· Perform tech transfer from lab to pilot and production scales, providing hands on support as required and continuous improvement of operations

· Communicate and collaborate with internal and external partners to drive innovation and efficiency, as well as to engage clients and stakeholders

· Lead and/or participate in technical reviews and phase reviews for the portfolio, using MojiaBio’s new product introduction framework and best practices

· Support and improve MojiaBio’s new product introduction framework and best practices, by authoring guidance documents, leading staff training activities, and introducing new development technologies, tools, and platforms

· Provide strategic direction, resource management, scientific mentorship, and career guidance for the Bioprocessing Department

· Build and grow a world-class team of passionate and skilled bioprocessing scientists and engineers, who can deliver on MojiaBio’s vision and mission, by providing career development opportunities, feedback, and recognition

· Demonstrate strong leadership and credibility with the site leadership and scientific staff, as well as with the global scientific community, industry partners and investors

Job Requirements:

· Master or PhD in Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Fermentation Engineering or related field with a minimum of 5 years of combined relevant industrial experience.

· A proven record of developing and launching products successfully and managing bioprocessing R&D effectively

· Must have a strong R&D leadership and experience, a quantitative framework for designing, executing and managing research. The ability to collaborate and manage external resources is necessary.

· Must have excellent communication skills with the ability to critically evaluate experimental data, and effectively communicate results with clarity and prevision, both verbally and in writing to scientific and general public.

· Prior experience in working at an interdisciplinary R&D environment is highly desirable.

· Demonstrated experience in the following related areas are preferred: Synthetic biology and industrial biotechnology scale up, experience in current state-of-the-art bioprocessing, and/or extensive participation in the development of any green and sustainable technologies.

· Driven by the vision of synthetic biology and industrial biotechnology to create novel solutions for various biomanufacturing challenges, and self-driven and curious to explore new possibilities.