Mutagenesis Research Associate

**About us**:
The world needs smart food solutions that are friendly to the palate and the planet, but right now, plant-based and alternative protein products just don't stack up to the real thing.

And that's where Nourish comes in.

Our animal-free fats and oils make alternative proteins taste delicious. With our science, we can tailor flavour profiles that precisely reproduce the taste and mouthfeel of beef, chicken, fish, milk, cheese and beyond. Products made with our fats are more than an alternative, they're a straight up improvement. Backed by Horizons Ventures and Main Sequence Ventures, Nourish Ingredients are a key player in the future of a smarter, more sustainable, and more diverse food system.

Our team is rapidly growing, and we are actively seeking a **Mutagenesis Research Associate** to join the team and help our company to achieve our big, audacious goals to transform the plant-based and alternative protein sector.

**As a Mutagenesis Research Associate** with Nourish, you will be working in a new wet-lab environment and will be undertaking bench-based experiments and carrying out research in mutagenesis on microbial strains (yeast, fungal, bacterial and algae strains) for the generation of non-GM strains with improved targeted lipids production traits. You will also be involved in the design, development and running of the downstream screening and characterisation processes to identify the best mutants and further strain optimisation. We have big goals. You will be assisting in designing our high-throughput platform to take our mutagenesis and screening works up to the next level and make them even faster and more efficient

In addition to your academic qualifications and skills you are an experienced lab practitioner, fast-learner, as well as proficient in the safe handling of materials and chemicals in an industrial and food-orientated laboratory environment. Reporting to the Mutagenesis Lead you will actively assist in a range of experimental designs, interpret and present results in both internal and external reports and help to ensure outcomes and deadlines are achieved in time. You will be part of a broader specialist microbiology, synthetic biology and fermentation teams with a common goal to create alternative proteins which taste good. You enjoy a lab-based environment, team work and problem solving in a dynamic evolving field and relish in the thought of joining an innovative start up like Nourish.

**The Facts - you have**:

- A breadth of practical experience in the design and conduction of mutagenesis using various mutagenic agents
- Demonstrated skills in building toolbox and experience with establishing mutants libraries and keeping good track of them
- Experience in High-Throughput methods/platform
- Demonstrated experience in handling and cultivating fungal and other microbial strains under various scale fermentation systems (flasks up to 2-5L bench bioreactors and above)
- Well-honed experience in downstream processes for screening methods development based on analytical methods (GC/MS- HPLC, TLC,...), colorimetric assay, enzymatic assay or alike
- Well-developed interpersonal skills with the capacity to collaborate and engage with diverse stakeholders
- A PhD in one of the following areas: biotechnology, bioprocessing engineering, biochemical engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry and biochemistry

**It would be great, but not essential, if you also have**:

- Knowledge and expertise in the downstream processing of lipids
- Some demonstrated experience in modern molecular biology techniques including cloning and expression of recombinant genes, DNA extractions and phylogenetic analysis in microbial strains (further experience with fungal and yeast strains are a plus)

**If you do a good job**:
The world is your plant-based oyster This is a pivotal role that will provide you with an opportunity to gain experience within the alternative food ingredient industry in a dynamic start-up environment. We want everyone at Nourish to have equal access to success and satisfaction.

**We offer**:

- Opportunity to be part of something big as we set out to change the way the planet looks at sustainable, plant-based alternatives
- A supportive and collaborative environment
- The potential to participate in the Nourish Employee Share Option Plan
- Generous Relocation budget for interstate or overseas individuals

**Maybe this role is not for you if**:
Prefer to have a role with specific focus. As a start-up employee, you will need to wear many hats and get your hands dirty with tasks and projects outside of the traditional scope of this role.

**Here's how to apply**:
Send us your CV now along with a brief cover letter telling us about yourself and why you would be a great fit for this role

**Need more convincing**?

This is a unique opportunity to be part of solving real world problems and help spur the next era of alternative protein food production. Find out more about No