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Metabolic Engineer

Lexington, MA

With a strategy centered on people and sustainability, Braskem is engaged in contributing to the value chain to strengthen the Circular Economy. Braskem’s 9,000 team members dedicate themselves every day to improving people's lives through sustainable solutions in chemicals and plastics. With its corporate DNA rooted in innovation, Braskem offers a comprehensive portfolio of plastic resins and chemical products for diverse industries, such as food packaging, construction, manufacturing, automotive, agribusiness, health and hygiene, and more. With 40 industrial units in Brazil, the United States, Mexico, and Germany, Braskem exports its products to clients in over 70 countries.

Braskem America is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Braskem S.A. headquartered in Philadelphia. The company is the leading producer of polypropylene in the United States, with six production plants located in Texas, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, as well as an Innovation and Technology Center in Pittsburgh and a New Renewable Innovation Center in Lexington, which focuses on leveraging groundbreaking developments in biotechnology and chemical catalysis. For more information, visit www.braskem.com/usa.

Department: Innovation & Technology

Location: Renewable Innovation Center - Lexington, MA 

Travel Involved: 5-10%

Job Type: Full Time, On Site 

 

Description:

Braskem, a global leader in the production of bio-based materials, has recently opened a new renewable research and development facility in Lexington, MA. The 35,000 SFT Renewable Innovation Center brings together scientists and engineers from a variety of disciplines to ideate and develop novel technologies for the production of bio-based chemicals and materials.

Braskem America is seeking an exceptional, highly motivated microbial physiologist/metabolic engineer to work on cutting-edge technology in the renewable chemicals space. The successful candidate brings substantive experience designing, engineering, and debottlenecking native and de novo pathways in microbial host strains for commercial production processes. Strong technical, organizational, and communication skills, along with the ability to develop creative solutions to complex problems, are essential.

The ideal candidate will lead and/or contribute to metabolic pathway engineering projects to develop novel biochemical routes for the production of renewable chemicals and materials by microbial fermentation. The ideal candidate will be responsible for designing biochemical pathways for microbial host strains and developing and executing experimental technical programs within the context of milestone-driven projects.

Key Responsibilities Include: 

  • Identify and propose new research routes/streams and extensions to ongoing research.
  • Conceive and design metabolic pathways for the production of industrial chemicals using bacterial, yeast, or filamentous fungal host strains.
  • Work closely with the strain and enzyme engineering, analytical chemistry, and fermentation teams.
  • Serve as a role model and mentor to more junior team members within the metabolic engineering team.
  • Communicate data and project-related information within the team and to senior leadership, as well as to external stakeholders.
  • Initiate and lead research and development project execution and delivery.
  • Participation in external national and international conferences and seminars.
  • Assist the intellectual property team in the drafting of patent applications.

Requirements: 

  • Deep and broad knowledge within the fields of microbial metabolism, metabolic engineering, and pathway optimization.
  • A strong understanding of the relationship between pathway flux and the free energy change of individual pathway steps, as well as the importance of cellular redox balance.
  • Be familiar with adjacent technology fields, including synthetic biology, fermentation, and bioinformatics.
  • Creativity, entrepreneurship, initiative, and good critical judgment are essential for this role. Strong technical and interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with other departments (e.g., Chemical Catalysis) and those outside the Renewable Chemicals Innovation Center.
  • Track record of implementing creative and innovative technologies and mentorship of less experienced scientists. 
  • Demonstrated excellent verbal & written communication skills.

 

Required Skills, Education, and Experience:

  • Ph.D. in Microbial Physiology, Metabolic Engineering, Microbiology, or related.
  • 10 - 15 years of post-doctoral industrial experience, preferably in industrial biotechnology related to chemical production.
  • Record of delivering commercially viable microbial production strains.
  • Strong background in metabolic pathway design and optimization.
  • Experience in interpreting complex biological analytical data and planning subsequent experiments and strain modifications.
  • Experience developing molecular tools and protocols, particularly for non-model organisms.
  • Experience developing simple cost models and project plans to support project development.
  • Must be highly motivated with exceptional communication and teamwork skills.
  • Experience with high-throughput molecular biology techniques and the use of lab automation is a plus.

 

What we offer

At Braskem, we offer more than just a competitive pay package. Our total rewards package includes a wide range of benefits you need for every stage of your life. Our benefits include:

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits
  • Retirement Benefits
  • Maternity and Paternity Leave
  • Life Insurance
  • Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • Teladoc
  • A wide range of voluntary benefits like Pet Insurance, Legal and ID Theft Insurance
  • Flexible work schedules like 9/80 schedules for eligible team members

Depending on qualifications, the successful candidate may be offered a position at a more appropriate level and/or ladder.

Candidates must be currently eligible to work in the United States without the need for any type of sponsorship now or in the future. Braskem is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees according to applicable law. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process, please contact the Talent Acquisition team.

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