Working at Zentraxa

We see Zentraxa as playing a key role in the long-term mission to adopt more sustainable processes, rooted in biotechnology, across an increasingly wider array of industries. Our mission is to make fermented peptides and proteins more accessible to new industries. We deliver our innovations by rigorous scientific work and thinking creatively about industrial problems. Our belief is that fundamental change requires small steps to deliver a greener future that is economically viable for all.
We provide a supportive and nurturing environment for our employees, offering opportunities for individual growth alongside delivery of the company’s core mission and objectives. We ensure our employees have regular one-to-ones and progress reviews, as well as frequent team catchups and socials.
We work and communicate as a team, trusting each other to be in the right place at the right time and to do the right thing so that everyone can balance their work and home commitments in a way that works best for them. We offer flexible working, delivering to company and project needs around a schedule that works for you and your team. Other benefits include 26 days annual leave per year in addition to bank holidays, and eligibility for the company share option scheme.

What we’re looking for
The main focus of the role will be to convert the overall company strategic vision into every day, operational steps designed to make that strategic vision a reality. The Principal Scientist is a new role and aims to provide strong support and mentoring to our technical team. They will be passionate about leading and coaching a young and ambitious technical team helping
to support individual career goals. We are looking for someone still prepared to be hands-on in the role, supporting the delivery of technical requirements in the laboratory as required.
The Principal Scientist will be responsible for supporting and leading the bioprocess development team, facilitating the development of new products by ensuring that their target specification can be met through an industrially viable bioprocess.
They will be able to work alongside strategic partners to ensure Zentraxa technology integrates into existing manufacturing ecosystems, guaranteeing that process steps are captured in detailed Standard Operating Procedures and enabling efficient technology transfer to research and manufacturing partners.
You will work closely with the CTO to create processes and lead improvement of R&D-related activities, from design through to release and beyond, to ensure that projects are delivered on time and on budget.

You will play an integral part in our team, and your main responsibilities will be to:
• Develop Zentraxa’s Zentide bio-production technology to a scalable and defined process
• Develop procedures and drive continuous improvements of process to ensure that quality standards are met and remain consistent
• Draw up and manage project delivery against suitable targets.
• Manage, train and mentor our technical team.
• Ensure technical procedures are developed into easy-to-follow SOP’s.
• Ensure scale-up development work progresses in a timely fashion, in line with other project needs.
• Manage external relationships to ensure efficient tech transfer to and from key strategic partners.
• Manage resources and production to meet internal and external needs.
• Be responsible for maintaining lab efficiency, good laboratory practice and safe working.
• Ensure accurate records are kept to allow full traceability of any experimental data, including checking junior team members lab notes.

The experience you’ll need
We are looking for someone who meets some or all the following criteria:
• Experience of working within a team in an industrial biochemistry lab; experience managing projects across scientific disciplines would be an advantage.
• Lived experience in a senior role, managing and directing other junior scientific team members
• Hands-on experience of bioprocess development, e.g., media/process optimisation, primary extraction, protein/peptide purification; preferably from a bacterial host
• Proficient in relevant analytical methods, e.g., HPLC and peptide & protein quantification
• Prior experience of bioprocess tech transfer
• PhD qualification or equivalent research experience
• A demonstrated contribution to successful delivery of R&D projects.
• Experience implementing and maintaining effective and safe laboratory practice (e.g. GLP)

How to apply
To apply for this position, please email your CV and a covering letting highlighting why you fit the role to jobs@zentraxa.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please include “Principal Scientist” in the email subject. Any applications without a covering letter will be discarded.
NO AGENCIES PLEASE: We prefer to fill our roles without the help of recruitment agencies. Thank you in advance for respecting this.

Expected Start Date
February/March 2022.

Eligibility and Expectations
• In order to qualify for this position, you must already be authorised to live and work in the UK, we cannot sponsor visas.
• You must have respect for others and a commitment and enthusiasm for high standards and continuous improvement
• At Zentraxa we value diversity. We are an equal opportunities employer and actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds regardless of gender, ethnic origin, disability, age, religion or sexual orientation. Please let us know if you have any special requirements in relation to this recruitment process

Important information regarding your application:
Please note that we will not be confirming receipt of applications. With regard to an application, the procedure outlined will be followed:
• We will be running a rolling recruitment process and will close the role once it is filled.
• Zentraxa will keep records of your application strictly for recruitment purposes
• Any recruitment documentation will be kept for 12 months following the job position being filled
• The successful candidates’ recruitment documentation will be kept in accordance with Zentraxa’s Internal Personal Data Policy
If you wish for your information to be removed from our records before that date, please mention this in your application.