Biotechnologist – Fermentation & Biofabrication Lead

About Smobya

At Smobya we developed a tuneable pilot fermentation technology, a material platform to provide solutions across industries, and shift how bio-based materials can flourish instead of plastic and petroleum derived options.

We started in 2022, since then, we’ve built a one of a kind pilot system, started to work with customers, and secured initial funding.

Our next stage is to expand our pilot system to a demo plant.

We’re a small team of 5, now growing to 8. And we’re looking for someone, who can take on the biotech core of what we do and help shape Smobya as we grow to hit our next milestones together.

The Role

You’ll work on leading our fermentation and biofabrication efforts, helping develop and scale our bacterial cellulose pilot system to a demo plant. 

You’ll work closely with our cofounders, R&D team, and technicians and you’ll be collaborating with our supply chain partners, strategic partners, and early customers as we work on meeting material specifications or refine and trial for new applications of our bacterial cellulose.

We’re looking for someone who can think across systems, work hands-on, and communicate clearly with teammates, partners, and investors too. Someone who can set and meet timelines, collaborates well, and enjoys taking initiative. We are looking for you if personal and professional growth is important for you, as our (not-so-secret) goal is to outperform on our milestones.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading fermentation process development for bacterial cellulose systems
• Optimising growth parameters for yield, consistency, and performance
• Running experiments across lab, pilot, and demo scale systems
• Working towards process scaling with a data-driven decision-making
• Collaborating with materials and product teams to link bio-process to end-use
• Working with external partners (suppliers, customers, advisors) to iterate and adapt the technology to new use cases
• Continue our journey on building internal best practices for transparency, documentation, and process timelines
• Follow and continue building our IP portfolio as per IP strategy and company goals

What We’re Looking For from You

• Experience with industrial or pilot-scale fermentation systems
• Understanding of bioreactor design, continuous culture systems
• Knowledge of material science and nanoscale biomaterials (e.g., bacterial cellulose) would be an advantage
• Strong process optimization skills with a techno-economic perspective
• A background in biotechnology, microbiology, bioprocess engineering or a related field is a must
• Comfort working in fast-paced environments requiring creativity (ideally startup or fast paced R&D)
• Excellent communication skills, transparent, timeline-driven, and able to translate complex science across disciplines
• A mission-driven mindset: you care about impact, sustainability, and building for the long term
• You are ambitious and you have what it takes to build and manage teams.
• You are a curious researcher at heart and don’t shy away from hands-on experiments in the lab when needed.

Why Smobya

This is a rare opportunity to help build something meaningful from the ground up - as an early team member, and shaping the culture and future of Smobya. We're at an inflection point, scaling from pilot to demo, and proving our platform's potential in the industry.

We’re not just looking for someone who’s qualified, but someone who shares Smobya's vision, and wants to build and grow with us.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• Opportunity to own shares of the company
• Direct collaboration with founders and key stakeholders
• A chance to shape a growing, values-led biotech startup from inside
• Challenge the status quo, challenge the industry, provide cost-competitive, efficient biotech solutions and truly shape how we manufacture materials, create an impact that will last

We are building a respectful, efficient, driven, and collaborative team culture, so if you feel you would thrive here we want you to apply

How to Apply

Apply through the form below, or send us your CV and a short note-what drives you, what you’d bring to this role, and why Smobya. 

Reach us at almos@smobya.com

Smobya is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and perspectives.