Fungal Genetic Engineer (III) Strain… at Archer… · Decatur

Fungal Genetic Engineer (III) Strain Development - Decatur, IL
ADM Research & Development
This is an exempt level position.

Position Summary:
ADM Cell Engineering is recruiting an experienced Fungal Strain Engineer to develop filamentous fungal expression strains for the bioproduction of industrial enzymes and proteins. This scientist will design, build and test filamentous fungal strains for projects that support the ADM Precision Fermentation strategy. The successful candidate will collaborate with subject matter experts in protein design, automation & high-throughput, genomics, and fermentation to achieve protein production KPIs at commercial scale. This scientist will participate in all phases of the Design-Build-Test-Learn cycle to maximize heterologous protein expression in one of ADM’s platform fungal strains. This position is highly impactful to ADM and strain improvements will be immediately applicable to commercial bioprocesses. This is an important role within the Biotechnology Group and scientists with experience genetically engineering industrial fungi are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities:

• Design, build and test fungal strains using state-of-the-art genetic engineering tools, bench-scale strain evaluation methods, and advanced molecular biology techniques.
• Execute a protein expression project through host selection and genetic engineering of a filamentous fungus protein cell factory.
• Leverage a deep understanding of fungal cell biology to design experiments and interpret data for improving strain performance.
• Deploy synthetic biology tools to generate improved production strains and demonstrate capability improvement by expanding the genetic toolkit.
• Use NGS (DNA-seq & RNA-seq) data to link genotype to phenotype for improving heterologous protein expression.
• Collaborate with fermentation teams to ensure the strain genetics and fermentation process conditions are co-developed to maximize recombinant protein production.
• Achieve project milestones and deliver improved strains by following a gated technology development process.
• Provide regular technical updates with project stakeholders, collaborate with other ADM R&D groups, and engage with 3rd party technology providers.
• Contribute to a team-oriented, positive and safe work environment.

Job Requirements:
These skills and experiences will be required for the candidate:

• Ph.D. in molecular biology, biotechnology, or biochemistry; or M.Sc. degree with with 5+ years of industry experience.
• Hands-on experience and deep knowledge of fungal genetics, molecular biology, genome editing, and construction of filamentous fungal strains for industrial protein production.
• Subject matter expertise in filamentous fungal biology and heterologous protein production.
• Understanding of fungal genetic engineering and bioprocess development for producing a secreted protein or enzyme at high titers.
• A track record of success with heterologous protein expression and proficiency in working with industrial isolates of fungi.
• Experience with rational design and/or directed evolution of enzymes a plus.
• Evidence of successfully delivering project goals; and communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven success working on complex projects within inter-disciplinary teams.
• Experience in generating novelty (academic publications) and/or intellectual property (patent applications) for recombinant protein production.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with both technical and non-technical audiences.