Senior Scientist Job London England UK,Research/Development

Location: Greater London

We develop and commercialise enzymes as food ingredients with clearly defined and rigorously validated benefits. Our first product is Convero – an enzyme ingredient that turns 30% sugar into fibre after eating.
At Zya, we use the transformative power of enzymes, like Convero, to make it easier for everyone to benefit from better nutrition whilst enjoying the everyday foods they love.
We (Josh and Niels) founded Zya while studying for our PhDs. We spent the last three years developing Convero by working with specialist contract research organisations (CROs). Over the next years our primary focus is to bring Convero to market which includes obtaining regulatory approval, conducting clinical studies and working closely with food manufacturers .
This is the first time that we’re expanding our team, so it is a real chance to be an integral part of the team bringing a first‑of‑its‑kind product to market.

We are looking for someone to:

Establish our R&D and analytical lab focusing on enzyme and carbohydrate analysis. This includes initial set up of the lab/equipment, safety protocols and documentation tools.
Support the founders in hiring and mentoring our science team (currently planned for 1 Senior Scientist plus 2-3 Scientists).
Lead lab operations to support in vivo efficacy trials and customer projects. This will include substantial hands‑on time in the lab establishing and validating key analytical techniques, SOPs and workflows. Assays may include characterization of enzyme performance in different food matrices or processing conditions, using advanced carbohydrate analysis techniques (e.g. HPAE‑PAD, HPLC‑RID).
Become a key voice in designing and implementing strategic technical projects for commercialising Convero, leveraging internal and external resources.

Relevant skills or experience may include:

Masters or PhD degree in bioscience or analytical chemistry and ≥3 years industry experience, ideally in bioscience startups.
Analytical techniques for carbohydrates, e.g. HPLC‑RID or HPAE‑PAD.
Working with industrial or pharmaceutical enzymes.
Evidence of initiative taking and building small, high performing teams.

This role is for you if:

You love translating cutting edge scientific research into real‑world food and nutrition solutions that help people live healthier lives.
You thrive in fast‑moving complex environments, aren’t afraid to wear multiple hats and take ownership of your projects.
You have a bias to action and a can‑do attitude.
You enjoy conducting complex experiments and producing high‑quality data.

This is role is not for you if:

You prefer a structured environment with established departments and pathways. We are building a small, close‑knit and cross‑functional team.
You want a short term gig. We believe true innovation takes time and a deep understanding of the problem. We value continuity and the opportunity to grow together.
You want a remote job. We will be working together on site 5 days a week.

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