Senior Scientist at Novonesis in Beijing

Job description

Interested in a career that matters? Are you excited about combining molecular biology, synthetic biology, and digital tools to create new biosolutions? Join our Enzyme, Protein and Strain Engineering Research team in Beijing, part of Core R&D China, and contribute to strategic innovation projects across industrial, food, and health applications. You will work in an agile, cross-functional environment where colleagues share knowledge, data, and code, solve scientific challenges together, and turn biology and digital capabilities into biosolutions that can help create a better world. The role & your impact In this role, you will use your scientific expertise to discover and deliver new enzyme molecules. You will combine hands-on laboratory research with technology scouting, data-driven experimentation, and collaboration across global project teams. The role has a primarily operational and tactical focus, with a strategic element related to developing new capabilities and identifying emerging technologies. While your laboratory delivery will be based in Beijing, you may take responsibility for workstreams within global projects. Your key responsibilities in this role Discover and deliver new enzyme molecules, developing biosolutions in collaboration with global, cross-functional project teams. Design, conduct, and analyze molecular biology and synthetic biology experiments, including DNA manipulation, genetic circuit construction, strain engineering, and expression in microbial hosts. Monitor emerging scientific and technological advances in molecular and synthetic biology, including implementing AI-enabled tools to address technical challenges and enhance research efficiency. Record and share experimental work through Novonesis data platforms such as Benchling, enabling colleagues to find, understand, and reuse research results. Interpret and visualize experimental data using digital tools, and communicate findings to internal and external stakeholders to support decision-making. Lead assigned research activities or project workstreams and guide Research Associates in delivering prioritized work efficiently. What you’ll need to be successful in this role A Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Synthetic Biology, or relevant majors Between 5 and 10 years of relevant research or industry experience. Strong hands-on expertise in molecular biology or synthetic biology. Practical experience applying AI and digital tools to biological design or data analysis. Fluency in Chinese and English, including the ability to communicate and present professionally in both languages. Strong learning agility and curiosity, with the ability to quickly understand emerging technologies and scientific fields. An open and collaborative approach to working in agile, multidisciplinary, and cross-site teams. A solution-oriented mindset, personal ownership, and a clear focus on creating value. Effective communication with internal and external stakeholders. The ability to navigate change and complexity with confidence. Strong experience with bench-scale fermenters is a plus. What we offer you You will join a collaborative research environment spanning molecular biology, protein and strain engineering, fermentation, and digital science. The team works closely with global R&D colleagues and, where relevant, external academic and technology partners. You will have opportunities to contribute to strategic innovation projects, build new scientific and digital capabilities, lead research activities, and develop toward broader research leadership responsibilities in synthetic biology and AI-driven bioinnovation. Working conditions This is an office-based laboratory role located in Beijing. Occasional online meetings with global colleagues across different time zones will be required. Limited travel of approximately 5 to 10 percent may be expected, for example to attend conferences or visit other sites. Our purpose guides the way In Novonesis, we know that solutions rooted