Current Job Opportunities
All jobs come with stock options and competitive benefits package. AgraQuest requires a pre-employment drug screen
Staff Researcher, Analytical Chemistry
We are seeking a creative, collaborative, experienced scientist to lead our analytical chemistry team. This position will collaborate with biologists, formulation scientists, and fermentation engineers to develop and support new products.
This is a full time position in our R&D group in Davis, CA. This position is available immediately.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:
- Good understanding of analytical sciences and experience in methods development utilizing HPLC and GC to track yield and stability of commercially relevant natural products, typically produced by microbial fermentations using a variety of detectors such as MSD, ELSD, DAD, and FID.
- Experienced in developing and optimizing reliable, quantitative assays for novel analytes.
- At least 50% time will be devoted to running these standard assays to support product development and commercialization.
- Ability to troubleshoot and maintain Agilent analytical instruments such as HPLC and GC.
- Organized, detailed-oriented, self-motivated and able to work independently once projects and/or deadlines are assigned.
- Able to work effectively in a team-based environment. Work in close collaboration with Supervisor and other Chemistry team members.
- Strong communications and interpersonal skills.
- Good laboratory record keeping skills.
Additional Skills (not required but willing to learn):
- Experience with other analytical techniques including wet chemistry and enzymatic assays.
- Familiarity with LIMS and computerized data acquisition systems.
- Familiarity with biochemical or fluorescent detection systems, adaptable to micro plate assays is a plus.
- Strong customer orientation.
Qualifications:
- Educational Requirements:
- Ph.D. in analytical chemistry and minimum 4 years work experience.
- Experience Requirements:
- Experience running analytical chemistry assay development and troubleshooting hardware and software problems.
- Knowledge/Skills/Abilites Preferred:
- Good communication skills.
- Able to work as part of a cross functional team in a matrix environment.
- Familiarity with a range of detection systems and experienced with assay development.
- Able to balance a wide variety of projects in a fast-paced, demanding environment.
- Knowledge in statistical methods and some familiarity with LIMS and computerized data acquisition systems (Agilent ChemStation software).
- Ability to troubleshoot and maintain instruments.
AgraQuest offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, 401(K) and stock options. A drug test is required. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated, creative individual looking to work for an innovative company. EOE and ADA compliant.
To apply, send your resume with cover letter referencing job CHEMSR-01 to: jobs@agraquest.com.
Fermentation Scientist
As part of our ongoing expansion, we have an opening for a highly motivated PhD/MS level Fermentation Scientist in our R&D Department. The successful candidate will be an active participant in multidisciplinary teams to develop microbial biopesticides and is responsible for design and executing of fermentation experiments and for process scale up from flasks to pilot and production bioreactors. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience in media design, fermentation optimization, and strain improvement using both rational and statistical approaches. This position requires a desire and ability to work in team environment as well as demonstration of flexibility, creativity and initiative applied to various aspects of the job. The position is full-time and is located in our Davis, California headquarters.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Responsible for the design, planning and conducting of fermentation experiments at flask, 10-20L, and 200L scales to gain understanding on the impact of fermentation on the production, secretion and stability of active ingredients.
- Responsible for applying the latest knowledge of microbial physiology, secondary metabolism and biosynthetic pathways to media design, process optimization and strain improvement.
- Responsible for providing of highly active materials through fermentation for downstream formulation, bioassay, and field trials.
- Responsible for data collection and analysis, writing of SOPs, technical reports and documentations for internal presentations/interpretations and for regulatory support.
- Collaborate with other scientists, engineers, and technicians in fermentation and formulation process development.
- Participate in the process transfer and scale –up at our manufacturing site in Mexico.
- Responsible for the maintenance of all relevant equipment and training and supervision of new personnel.
- Keep abreast of current literatures and the state of art in microbial physiology and fermentation science and their potential applications to the company’s projects.
- Some travel will be required.
Qualifications:
- Educational Requirement:
- Ph.D. in microbiology, biochemical engineering or related sciences or M.S. with a minimum 4 years of experience in bacterial/fungal fermentation.
- Experience Requirements:
- Must have hands-on experience in fermentation concepts, formats and equipment, and strong working knowledge in microbial physiology related to fermentation.
- Experience in rational and statistical design of experiment related to fermentation media optimization and process improvement.
- Working knowledge of standard analytical, biological and wet chemistry laboratory equipment and molecular techniques is required.
- Experience in industrial strain improvement is preferred, but not essential.
- Knowledge/Skills/Abilites Preferred:
- Strong organizational, problem solving, and time-management skills are essential as well as good oral and written communication skills.
AgraQuest offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, 401(K) and stock options. A drug test is required. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated, creative individual looking to work for an innovative company. EOE and ADA compliant.
To apply, send your resume with cover letter referencing job FERMSCI-03 to: jobs@agraquest.com.