Synthetic and Systems Biology Scientist

The Biofoundry and the Synthetic and Systems Biology team. Lesaffre has established the first industrial Biofoundry in France. This initiative brings together an international team of motivated, risktaking scientists and engineers to merge biology, engineering, automation, and computer science. Their goal is to enhance microorganism engineering, screening, and selection for a wide range of industrial biotechnology applications, including baking, brewing, bioethanol, flavors and fragrances, food and feed, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals. Together with US-based Recombia teams and the France-based Microbial Engineering team, the Biofoundry is fueling a powerful Bioengineering ecosystem. The Synthetic and Systems Biology team (SSB) operates the Biofoundry together with the High-Throughput Screening and the Automation and Software Engineering teams. Its purpose is to design, build and learn from Lesaffre organisms, genes and genomes.

To accelerate the development of biosolutions for an increasing range of applications, it is crucial to continuously expand the scope, efficiency, and speed of our BUILD and NGS workflow portfolio. In addition to their wet lab core, our workflows require critical software, databases, and process logic to 1) enable scientists to translate their biological design needs into fully specified DNA and genome engineering plans (computer-aided design) and 2) convert DNA and genome engineering specifications into fully specified machine instructions for automated workcells and standalone instruments (computer-aided manufacturing).

We are seeking a highly motivated scientist with expertise in synthetic biology, bio-database architecture, and algorithm development. The ideal candidate will have experience designing and managing biological databases and developing algorithms for synthetic biology applications. They should be proficient in creating tools that enable precise biological design and integration with automated systems. This role involves collaborating with software engineers, automation experts, genome engineers and molecular biologists to enhance our CAD/CAM tools, ensuring they are powerful, efficient, and seamlessly integrated into our workflows.

Missions :

• Design and Development: Design, build, and continuously improve software tools that enable bioengineers to advance the design and large-scale manufacture of engineered DNA, proteins, and microorganisms.
• Data Management: Develop and refine data models and schemas tailored to the complex domain of bioengineering.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Coordinate with BUILD and NGS wet lab technology developers to integrate new capabilities into end-to-end workflows, and identify future wet lab technology developments with the highest impact.
• Research and Innovation: Stay updated on the latest CAD/CAM scientific literature and software solutions in systems and synthetic biology.
• Strategic Contribution: Contribute to the direction and culture of Lesaffre’s Bioengineering technology platform.
• Community Engagement: Actively participate in the cross-teams Lesaffre software development community.

Requirements

• Educational Background: Degree in computer science, applied mathematics, or computational biology.
• Biology Knowledge: Familiarity with fundamental concepts in biology and bioengineering.
• Problem Solving: Ability to formulate and solve optimization problems mathematically and implement solutions in code.
• Software Development: Experience in custom software development, adhering to high standards of quality (algorithms & logic, testing, documentation, versioning).
• Desirable Experience: Experience with LIMS design/configuration in the context of synthetic biology, bioengineering, or microbiology.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in English.