The Opportunity

Lead innovative research and development in fermentation technology

Make an impact on the future of agriculture and climate change

Ability to make a significant contribution to a rapidly growing startup

Location: Orange, NSW - Australia OR Portland, Maine - USA

About Loam

At Loam, we have the earth in our hands. As a team of scientists, farmers and entrepreneurs, we are on a mission to improve the world’s farmland and address climate change. We are developing microbial technology to remove CO2 from the atmosphere and build carbon in agricultural soils. We help farming businesses prosper by boosting yield and soil health and enabling access to carbon markets.

As a start-up with ambitious founders and investors, our work is fast-paced and multi-dimensional. We foster a supportive and diverse workplace, where every team member is encouraged to learn and grow beyond their area of expertise.

While everyone at Loam is working in different roles, we all have one job: to remove CO2 from the atmosphere and store it stably in farmer’s soils.

About The Role

The VP of Bioproduction will manage a team of specialists responsible for the manufacturing of Loam’s microbial technology for carbon sequestration in agriculture. This is an exciting opportunity to translate your knowledge and skills into commercial agricultural products that deliver genuine impact. The successful candidate will be involved in the process of scale-up from pilot to commercial scale. You have a background in natural sciences and engineering, with experience in fermentation, downstream processing, design and build out of production facilities, and scale-up of biomanufacturing technology.

You will get to work in a fast-paced, high-throughput laboratory surrounded by creative, and collaborative peers. This role can be based out of Portland Maine (USA) or Orange, New South Wales (Australia)

Key Responsibilities

Lead and supervise a team of scientists across Australia and the US, in the development and implementation of pilot scale, and commercial scale manufacturing, formulation development, packaging, and quality control across a portfolio of fermentation projects and products

Key point of contact for Toll manufacturing in new markets

Develop and implement QA/QC and record management systems

Planning and hiring oversight for expanding the production team

Supply chain oversight

Lead and advise across the development and management of multiple key infrastructure projects in Orange (AU), and Maine (USA)

Communicate research and production results to inform business decisions and potential IP development

About You

Requirements

Ideally, You Will Have

You are collaborative and enjoy working in a fast-paced, rapidly growing environment that truly creates new and innovative use of biotechnology. You work calmly under pressure and lead your team through structured, project timelines and do not shy away from complex challenges.

Demonstrated ability to lead individual projects and broader R&D portfolios at scale and/or complexity and manage financial and project performance

A PhD (or an equivalent combination of qualifications and research experience) and at least five years experience in a relevant field related to the precision fermentation area

Experience in precision fermentation for production of biological products

Experience in fermentation process development and scale up

Familiarity with various fermentation methods including solid state fermentation

Experience in conducting techno-economic analysis of biomanufacturing and downstream processing

Experience/exposure/involvement with SMEs or early start-up companies in the area of bioprocessing

Established reputation and credibility in leading relevant science and/or commercial development with evidence of effective world-class science, research and/or translation and innovation leadership

Demonstrated ability to undertake original, creative and innovative research by generating and pursuing novel ideas and solutions

As part of the Loam team, everyone is expected to:

Be a self-starter, but to ask when uncertain

Be open to feedback and committed to learning

Be a proactive communicator — we want you to be able to articulate a problem or an idea in a manner that is clear, timely and constructive

Treat your colleagues with unconditional respect and regard, while identifying areas where you can help others, or share your knowledge

Take accountability and pride in your work, whilst being an advocate for Loam

Take accountability for growing and developing the organisation

Note -Must be located Orange, NSW (Australia) or Portland, Maine (United States) or willing to relocate for this opportunity.

Benefits

A competitive package (Salary, Benefits & ESOP) based on experience

An opportunity to create a real and tangible impact on global Agriculture and climate change

Collaborative and highly engaging work environment with engagement across the Loam international R&D, product and commercial team

Ability to have a significant impact and grow with the organisation.