Senior Scientist – Bioanalytical – Plant Biology

moa is recruiting for a Senior Scientist – Bioanalytical – Plant Biology

Company

Moa Technology Limited is innovative and rapidly growing R&D crop protection company. At moa Technology our mission is to find the new generation of safe and effective herbicides to help farmers produce high quality food for all. To this aim, we have assembled a team of passionate and talented scientists, technician and operational staff, who respectively design, use and support the use of disruptive technologies that de-risk the herbicide discovery process and favour the development of sustainable crop protection products.

As an organisation, we believe that collectively leveraging our technologies and products for impact goes together with enabling our dedicated staff to fulfil their individual potential. We value collaborative endeavours, evidence-based decision making and resourcefulness.

Position type: Permanent full-time - 37.5 hours per week

Salary: Competitive

Location: The Oxford Science Park, Oxford,

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PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY

As Senior Scientist, you will contribute to the design, implementation, analysis and validation of metabolite assessment studies in plant samples. You will be involved in detailed mechanism of action studies for new herbicides, the interpretation and presentation of key findings, as well as the proposal and initiation of appropriate activities to characterise these new inhibitors. The successful candidate will be expected to establish best practises within the laboratory and work independently on several concurrent projects in a fast-paced, goal-oriented environment. The role will also require training and transfer of metabolite evaluation technologies to other members of the Biology group as well as close collaboration with the Bioinformatics group.

This is a significant opportunity to play a central role in the growth and success of moa. The successful candidate will work in state-of-the-art facilities within the vibrant and fast-growing Oxford Science Park.

KEY RESPONSIBILITES

• Directly contribute to our discovery activities and ensure delivery of company and department objectives in a timely and efficient manner.
• Design and conduct experiments to identify and validate plant primary and secondary metabolites associated with our novel mode of action herbicide programmes.
• Develop and perform methods to reliably monitor plant metabolites for moa programmes.
• Depending on the research project need, be responsible for designing and managing metabolomics studies at CROs.
• Keep abreast of pertinent scientific literature in the plant genome metabolites field in order to recommend new process/procedure as needed. You will be expected to drive scientific and technical innovation.
• Be responsible for equipment associated with metabolite assessment.
• Be responsible for the validation of novel targets, mode of action and plant studies to elucidate potential mechanism(s) of action at the cellular and molecular level and subsequent herbicide discovery efforts.
• Independently define and execute best experimental strategies and lab operations to deliver interpretable data to test hypothesis, address scientific questions or technical problems and progress projects. Self-motivation and critical thinking are essential.
• Identify and implement new technologies and help establish infrastructure (internal, external) to enable strategy implementation and execution.
• Work collaboratively within an inter-disciplinary team including Biology, Chemistry, Safety, Chemo-/Bio-informatics and/or CROs to support activities for all mode of action programmes.
• Effectively present results and conclusions at project meetings to co-workers and senior leadership, as well as for other internal/external parties and venues as needed.
• Preparation of manuscripts on scientific work for internal or external communication.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Required

• Master/PhD in chemistry/biochemistry/analytical sciences or equivalent academic/industrial experience in an agrochemical, pharmaceutical or biotechnology company
• Demonstrated experience in bioanalytical (HPLC-LC/MS)
• Prior experience in industry would be an advantage
• Hands-on research expertise
• A track record of delivery plant metabolites identification and quantification.
• Experienced in developing a variety of plant bioanalytical methods to monitor primary and secondary plant metabolites.
• Highly collaborative with outstanding motivation, analytical and strategic thinking and a high level of scientific commitment and work ethics.

moa is committed to building a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. We recognize that diverse and inclusive teams build a stronger and more innovative company. Therefore, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability status, marital status, or veteran status

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Eligibility

Must be legally able to live and work in the UK

Please send a CV and cover letter to hr@moa-technology.com

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