Lead Scientist in Insect Control
4 weeks ago
We are a diverse group of dedicated professionals from 15 different nations, innovating advanced biological solutions aimed at sustainably managing arthropods that pose threats to health and agriculture. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life and economic stability globally, addressing the increasing challenges posed by these pests.
While our focus is on developing insect management technologies, our organization prioritizes the people behind the science.
We uphold a strong commitment to our core values and principles, fostering a culture characterized by trust, respect, creativity, and accountability. For more insights into our values, please refer to our principles, and explore our CEO's blog discussing trust and our corporate culture.
Role OverviewWe are looking for a seasoned Research Team Supervisor to join a vibrant project dedicated to the advancement of our self-limiting technology targeting insects that transmit diseases and affect crops and livestock. You will be part of our Strain Development Division, a team focused on refining transformation techniques and methodologies that enhance our strain development workflows, leading to the creation and characterization of self-limiting strains for future applications.
This position demands a highly motivated individual capable of providing leadership within our R&D team to achieve project milestones and organizational objectives. Responsibilities include steering scientific initiatives and mentoring small teams to fulfill project goals, while ensuring a safe and efficient working environment. The role encompasses multiple projects, requiring the ability to prioritize competing demands effectively.
To excel in this position, you should possess a strong interest in insect biology, a proactive mindset, exceptional organizational skills, and a keen eye for detail. Your responsibilities will range from procuring equipment to designing, executing, analyzing, and reporting experiments. You will be expected to document and analyze data accurately and promptly, as well as prepare presentations for Senior Leadership teams and Project Managers. Managing both planned and unexpected workstreams in alignment with company priorities will be essential.
Extensive experience in data generation and interpretation is required, along with a hands-on approach to collaborate closely with your team and our molecular and rearing development departments to test, enhance, and validate new insect husbandry practices, genetic transformation methods, and strain characteristics. You should be capable of working independently while fostering a strong team spirit, adhering to good laboratory practices, and following standard operating procedures. Excellent communication skills and a passion for Oxitec's mission are crucial.
Key ResponsibilitiesUnder the guidance of the Head of Research and the Program Lead, your primary responsibilities will include:
- Ensuring laboratory compliance with regulations and equipping spaces to meet project requirements.
- Developing transformation methods and genetically engineered strains that align with defined product profiles.
- Mentoring small teams to achieve project objectives while maintaining respectful partnerships with external organizations.
People Management
- Overseeing a small team (1-3 direct reports) to achieve project and organizational goals, including direct line management and functional team oversight.
- Setting clear expectations for team members, reviewing progress, and providing constructive feedback.
- Communicating regularly and transparently with Group Leads, Division Leads, and Project Managers regarding workstream progress, experiments, staffing, timelines, and concerns.
- Assisting in budgeting and resource allocation with Group Leads, Division Leads, and Project Managers.
- Holding yourself and your team accountable for performance management.
- Collaborating closely with partner organizations to maintain strong relationships.
Scientific Contributions
- Leading a small team focused on developing transformation methods necessary for generating self-limiting strains and evaluating them against Oxitec's product profile metrics.
- Conducting experiments according to established protocols.
- Collaborating with the molecular biology department for rapid feedback on strain characterization.
- Designing and executing experiments independently, ensuring alignment with program objectives and managerial endorsement.
- Characterizing the behavior and biology of transgenic strains.
- Maintaining insect colonies.
- Conducting literature reviews to inform experimental design: collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data.
- Guiding the direction of work based on data interpretation and project needs.
- Presenting data in meetings across the organization to diverse audiences and preparing clear reports for internal and external review.
- Understanding the commercial implications of the work and striving for optimal performance.
Quality Management
- Managing and training direct reports in accordance with standard operating procedures and training records.
- Supporting team compliance with established procedures, regulations, and health and safety standards.
- Writing and updating standard operating procedures and risk assessments.
- Identifying areas for improvement through daily process observation.
- Ensuring thorough documentation of activities by team members in lab notebooks or other relevant records.
- Adhering to health and safety and containment protocols for all activities.
- Providing occasional weekend support as part of a rotational schedule within the R&D team.
- Essential experience in insect/arthropod transformation.
- An MSc or PhD in a relevant field (e.g., entomology, biology, biochemistry).
- A proven track record of scientific diligence, emphasizing careful data generation and documentation.
- Demonstrated technical, organizational, and leadership skills suitable for the role.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English are essential.
- Experience with animal husbandry and/or invertebrate colonies is advantageous.
- Previous leadership or mentorship experience is preferred.
- Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including junior and senior staff.
- Meticulous attention to detail, excellent time management, and responsiveness.
- Proficiency in R/R Studio or Excel, with experience in statistical analysis being highly desirable.
- Deep commitment to and passion for Oxitec's mission and values.
- Adaptable and resilient, thriving in a dynamic and evolving environment.
- Responsive to the needs of an international organization operating across various time zones, adjusting work patterns as necessary.
- Decisive and assertive, with a proactive and driven approach.
- Positive, humble, cooperative, and professional demeanor.
- Demonstrates urgency and prompt problem-solving capabilities.
- Resilient and persistent in an innovative and ever-changing landscape.
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