Head of Downstream Development (m/f/d)

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Head of Downstream Development (m/f/d)

BluCon Biotech GmbH provides a unique technology by which L-lactic acid can be produced at lowest possible production costs. This will enable the bioplastic PLA (poly lactic acid) to become commercially competitive to fossil fuel based plastics and convert millions of tons of nondegradable plastic waste into biodegradable, environmentally friendly products.

BluCon Biotech was founded in 2017 and operates laboratories on BioCampus Cologne, in collaboration with its Chinese partners in Hangzhou.

In close association with your partner laboratory Depei Biotechnology Ltd. (Gongsu District, Hangzhou City, China) you will lead the development of our Downstream Process.  Our joint business objective is the development of the most cost effective upstream and downstream processes for the production of polymer grade lactic acid and the commercialization of this technology. You will oversee laboratory scale and scale up of the downstream and purification process into industrial scale.  You will be part of an international team and oversee DSP development all in-house and with external partners.

Area of Responsibility
Lead and coordinate a team of dynamic individuals focusing on all downstream development aspects, internally and in collaboration with external partners
Establish and advance downstream equipment for purification of lactic acid out of fermentation broth to polymer grade status
Plan and organize downstream development programs at various scales (lab scale, pilot scale and production scale)
You strive to reduce development timelines, increase productivity and reduce production costs.
You document and present results internally and externally.
You ensure that collaboration with external partners is carried out in compliance with all internal, national and international procedures, guidelines and regulations
you report to the Managing Director
Qualifications
Education: PhD in Chemistry, Biotechnology, Bio-Engineering, Chemical Engineering,  with minimum 5 years of biotechnology industry experience
Languages: English and German, Chinese
Experience:
strong background in downstream processing of fermentation broths, biomass separation technologies, small molecule product purification methods e.g. membrane technology, separation techniques, chromatography and evaporation,
Broad scientific and technical knowledge in chemistry, biotechnology, bioengineering,
good knowledge of relevant software tools and Microsoft Office,
awareness of safety regulations and safe handling of chemicals and equipment,
experience in production of lactic acid is of advantage,
good skills in presentation, scientific/technical writing.
Willingness to travel to Asia
Further information
We are looking forward to receiving your comprehensive online application (1-page cover letter explaining the reasons of interest to join our team, curriculum vitae summarizing technical skills, personal goals and extra-scientific passions, certificates concerning your education).

Please send your application as a pdf document, stating your salary expectation and earliest starting date, to the following email address: Andreas.lischka@blucon-biotech.com.

BluCon Biotech GmbH
Nattermannallee 1
50829 Köln