As the R&D Director at Neoplants, you will spearhead our mission to harness the power of nature through innovation, driving the creation of groundbreaking biotechnological solutions for environmental challenges. Leading our dynamic and multidisciplinary team of world-class scientists, engineers, technicians and students, your role will be pivotal in shaping the future of bioengineered biological systems.

Reporting to Patrick Torbey, Neoplants co founder and the Chief Technical Officer, you will be responsible for the strategic direction and organization of Neoplants’ R&D, implementing our vision, setting daring goals, and making sure our team is in the best position to reach them. Your goal will be to assemble and lead one of the best performing synbio teams out there, in terms of talents, culture and accomplishments. You will be part of the leadership team to provide crucial technical insights, and help design the strategic vision for the company and the next generations of products.

You will have full leadership responsibility for the R&D, as such, you will ensure our science is always of the highest quality and rigor, as you set a fast working pace aligned with our level of ambition. 

You will play a critical role in further enhancing and growing our scientific network, both in the public and private sectors. You will also help facilitate cross-functional communication within Neoplants, both inside the R&D team and with the business teams and especially marketing and product teams. As part of our executive team, you will serve as a key advisor to the founders on strategic decisions.

Main missions (but not limited to): 

Science and innovation: 

• Identify both scientific breakthroughs and business opportunities to refine both our product vision, our proprietary technologies and technical roadmap.

• Ensure that the R&D strategy integrates both the bleeding edge innovations and practical approaches needed to reach our objectives in record time and effort.

• Ensure the efficient and effective management of R&D projects from conception through to completion. Oversee the design, execution, and analysis of experiments, ensuring projects are delivered on time and to the highest quality standards.

• Ensure proper scientific and strategic rationales to prioritize, push, hold and stop projects from conception to final product stages.

• Collaborate with legal and compliance stakeholders to protect intellectual property and ensure all R&D activities and products adhere to regulatory standards.

Leadership: 

• Develop and implement the strategic vision for the R&D department, aligning with the company’s mission, short and long term goals. 

• Manage a diverse team composed of 20+ scientists, engineers, technicians and students with various technical skills and expertise from around the globe. Foster a culture of team spirit, innovation, and excellence. Support the professional growth of the team, lead the recruitment and training of new talents, and ensure that the team continues to push the boundaries of biological science in particular synthetic biology, metabolic engineering and microbiology, while reinforcing our company values.

• Work closely with internal experts, leveraging their knowledge to advance research projects. Build and maintain relationships with our scientific advisory board, external research institutions, industry partners, and academic communities to leverage scientific advancements and explore collaborative opportunities.

• Communicate complex scientific concepts and progress reports to stakeholders across the company, ensuring transparency and alignment with business goals.

Required:

• PhD and 10+ years of experience in synthetic biology and in some of the following fields: plant molecular biology, metabolism engineering, plant physiology, microbiology, in silico modeling, plant in vitro culture and transformation.

• Significant industry experience leading an R&D team of 10+ people, with a track record of innovation and successful product development.

• Extreme scientific rigor, excellence, and attention to detail

• High level of both creative and critical thinking, with the ability to translate complex research into actionable business strategies.

• Action oriented with an ability to generate actionable results in very limited time

• Proven ability to lead many diverse projects simultaneously

• Always-on positive and problem solving attitude in the face of relentless and extremely difficult challenges.

• Exceptional team spirit, interpersonal and communication skills.

• Proficiency in English

Nice to have:

• Leadership experience in a biotech startup environment

• Experience in plant synthetic biology 

• Proven public speaking skills to embody Neoplants values, science and mission to best represent the company at internal and external events.

Shared values: Team spirit, Positive impact, Excellence, Humility

Why join us?

🌿 Contribute to global innovation by collaborating with world-class experts in their field, learn from the founders, and get regular updates on everything happening in the company through monthly company-wide meetings.

🌿Join an innovative startup where you can make an impact and at any position in the company  

🌿 Participate in recurring company events, such as our annual kick-off, offsite seminar, after-work, celebrations every month, team activities like escape games or go-karting 

🌿 Come work in our brand new Neolab, ‘The Seed’: A unique 1,200m2 space on two floors featuring a state-of-the-art wetlab, full-scale performance testing rooms among other high-end equipment, as well as open offices and great team spaces!

🌿 Enjoy great benefits:

• Highly competitive salary

• Transportation (Navigo card or bike pass): 100% reimbursed. 

• Swile (lunch vouchers): 10€ per day worked - 55% paid by the company 

• Health: Alan Blue (private insurance, 70% paid by Neoplants, applicable to your family) and access to Moka.care (wellness and mental health support platform)

• Healthy snacks and fruit in the office 

• Your own Mac Book pro

• Personalized little attentions and a seniority gift from year one

Other information about the role:

Office location: The Seed, 47 Rue du Docteur Léonce Basset, 93400 Saint-Ouen

Step 1 - 1 technical interview focusing on Role-Related Knowledge.

Step 2 - 1 technical interview focusing on General Cognitive Ability (case study)

Step 3 - 1 interviews focusing on Leadership and Karma

Step 4 - 1 Culture fit interview

Step 5 - Meet the team & visit the Seed