What we do

Zentraxa is a Bristol-based biotechnology company. Our custom-designed biomaterials are inspired by natural systems and precision engineered to deliver the performance enhancements our target markets are actively seeking. Providing groundbreaking solutions to difficult problems in industry and with a track record of producing adhesives for defence & medical applications, our proprietary Zentide platform allows us to discover and produce innovative, otherwise inaccessible biomaterials in a repeatable, sustainable and scalable manner. By making biomaterial solutions more effective & accessible across a range of industries, we aim to contribute to a biomanufacturing revolution and a more sustainable future.

Working at Zentraxa

We see Zentraxa as playing a key role in the long-term mission to adopt more sustainable processes, rooted in biotechnology, across an increasingly wider array of industries. Our mission is to make fermented peptides and proteins more accessible to new industries. We deliver our innovations by rigorous scientific work and thinking creatively about industrial problems. Our belief is that fundamental change requires small steps to deliver a greener future that is economically viable for all.

We provide a supportive and nurturing environment for our employees, offering opportunities for individual growth alongside delivery of the company’s core mission and objectives. We ensure our employees have regular one-to-ones and progress reviews, as well as frequent team catchups and socials.

We work and communicate as a team, trusting each other to be in the right place at the right time and to do the right thing so that everyone can balance their work and home commitments in a way that works best for them. We offer flexible working, delivering to company and project needs around a schedule that works for you and your team. Other benefits include 26 days annual leave per year in addition to bank holidays, and eligibility for the company share option scheme.

What we’re looking for

As our Fermentation Technician, you will join our team of biological scientists to support the development of our bio-manufacturing processes for the production of new peptide materials. You will have the opportunity to contribute to the development of new manufacturing processes, bringing great value to our team. The role is laboratory based and you will be expected to follow technical Standard Operating Procedures on the upstream fermentation.

For this role, you will have had hands-on experience with expression of proteins preferably in a bacterial host. Ideally you will be familiar with the operation of a bench top bioreactor, but any additional training you need will be provided. You will have a rigorous approach to experimental work and data recording, previous experience working to GLP or GMP would be an advantage. Your experience in supporting smooth lab operations will help our team to operate at maximum efficiency to meet key targets and deliverables on time. You’ll have a keen eye for detail, excellent time management and have great organisational skills.

You will be an integral part of our team, and your main responsibilities will be to:

• Take responsibility for the routine operation of a bioreactor, ensuring upstream work progresses in a timely fashion
• Ensure prepared stocks of sterile media, buffers, reagents etc. are available and in date.
• Ensure good laboratory practice and safe working is adhered to.
• Ensure accurate records are kept allowing full traceability of any experimental data.
• To contribute to overall laboratory efficiency.

The experience you’ll need

• We are looking for someone who meets some or all the following criteria:
• Experience of working within a team in a lab (experience in an industrial setting would be an advantage).
• BSc or MSc qualification, or equivalent.
• Hands on experience of protein expression preferably in a bacterial host (experience using a Bioreactor would be an advantage)
• Sound understanding of Biochemistry.
• A hunger for innovation and demonstrated contribution to research projects.
• Ability to precisely and accurately follow SOP's, review MSDS’s and laboratory protocols.
• Ability to accurately and concisely report experimental work to other team members.
• Ability to troubleshoot problems independently or where appropriate asking for advice

How to apply

To apply for this position, please email your CV and a covering letting highlighting why you fit the role to jobs@zentraxa.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please include “Fermentation Technician” in the email subject. Any applications without a covering letter will be discarded.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE: We prefer to fill our roles without the help of recruitment agencies. Thank you in advance for respecting this.

Expected Start Date: February 2023.