PHAXTEC^™ is a start-up commercializing and marketing novel natural materials based on PolyHydroxyAlkanoates (PHA) that can replace fossil and non-biodegradable plastics. PHA can replace more than 50% (210 million Tons) of the world’s fossil plastics in use single applications such as packaging, personal care, and agriculture and in durable uses such as textiles, sports equipment, automotive, electrical and electronics. The protected PHAXTEC^™ process uses renewable and abundantly available greenhouse gases to produce PHA and it uses protected technologies to turn them into coatings for barrier paper packaging and other applications.

As part of its growth the PHAXTEC^™ team is looking for a senior level team member to join the core PHAXTEC^™ team. The successful candidate will set strategy and actions and manage all aspects of ongoing research and commercialization of the PHA biopolymers for PHAXTEC^™. He/she will set the strategy for the commercialization of PHA and related compounds, their development in the laboratory/pilot scale and eventually in large scale. Depending on the experience and background of the successful candidate, this position could be transformed into the role of Chief Technology Officer- Polymers within a short period of time.

The successful candidate would have a PhD in Polymer Science or Engineering or equivalent field, with relevant and significant experience in polyolefins, polyesters and similar polymers, their compounds, and applications. Bio-based polymer (PLA, PBS, PHA, TPS) and polymer dispersion/coatings experience would be a plus. Strong computational skills are desired. Excellent communication, presentation and writing skills are required. The person would be expected to communicate with the R&D staff, non-scientists, and business leaders internally and externally.

Responsibilities include developing and executing strategies and actions and some hand-on work in the identification, development, compounding and applications in dispersions, extrusion and molding of polymers, specially PHA, PLA, PBS, TPS or related polymers. He/she will contribute directly or indirectly to the development and scaling of PHA biopolymer compounds and dispersions in conjunction with partners and customers.

The successful candidate would have 10-20 years’ experience in the field and is or has been part of a leadership team within the field developing and commercializing such products. Experience with having set up relevant laboratories, hiring and managing a group of scientists, technicians and engineers would be a plus.

Compensation for the position commensurate with qualifications, experience, and background, and include stock options to participate in the success of the start-up.

Start date: July 1, 2022 (negotiable). Please submit a resume along with references and willingness to relocate.

PHAXTEC^™ is a start-up commercializing and marketing novel natural materials based on PolyHydroxyAlkanoates (PHA) that can replace fossil and non-biodegradable plastics. PHA can replace more than 50% (210 million Tons) of the world’s fossil plastics in use single applications such as packaging, personal care, and agriculture and in durable uses such as textiles, sports equipment, automotive, electrical and electronics. The protected PHAXTEC^™ process uses renewable and abundantly available greenhouse gases to produce PHA and it uses protected technologies to turn them into coatings for barrier paper packaging and other applications.

As part of its growth the PHAXTEC^™ team is looking for a senior level team member to join the core PHAXTEC^™ team. The successful candidate will set strategy and actions and manage all aspects of ongoing research and commercialization of the PHA biopolymers for PHAXTEC^™. He/she will set the strategy for the laboratory and pilot scale fermentation and extraction of these PHA biopolymers. Depending on the experience and background of the successful candidate, this position could be transformed into the role of Chief Technology Officer within a short period of time.

The successful candidate would have a PhD in microbiology or biochemistry, with relevant and significant experience in microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and some experience in analytical chemistry. Strong experience and background in metabolic engineering, genetics, and systems biology of microbial system as well as analytical chemistry (LS-MS/MS; HPLC, SLS/DLS, NMR). Strong computational skills are desired. Responsibilities include developing and executing strategies and actions and some hand-on work in the construction and screening of novel metabolic traits of PHA-producing bacteria, identification of metabolic bottlenecks using systems-level approaches (metabolomics, RNA-seq, isotope tracing) and designing novel strategies for improving production. He/she will contribute directly or indirectly to the extraction and characterization of PHA preparations, and the development of novel fermentation strategies.

Excellent communication, presentation and writing skills are required. The person would be expected to communicate with the R&D staff, non-scientists, and business leaders internally and externally.

The successful candidate would have 10-20 years’ experience, have worked in the field of Industrial Biotechnology with PHA and/or gas fermentation preferred, and has been part of a leadership team within an Industrial Biotechnology start-up or large organization developing industrial biotechnology products. Experience with having set up biotech and fermentation laboratories, hiring and managing a group of scientists, technicians and engineers would be a plus.

Compensation for the position commensurate with qualifications, experience, and background, and include stock options to participate in the success of the start-up.

Start date: May 1, 2022 (negotiable). Please submit a resume along with references and willingness to relocate.