Microbial Strain Engineer

Genetic Scientist – Microbial Strain Engineering (Biology R&D)

Oxford – Begbroke Science Park I £45,000–£55,000 depending on experience

We’re recruiting for a Genetic Scientist – Microbial Strain Engineering to join Hyd Regen
, an innovative biotechnology company developing biocatalytic hydrogenation technologies for more sustainable chemical manufacturing through scalable, enzyme-based solutions.

This is an industrial R&D position for an experienced scientist with a strong background in microbial genetics, molecular biology, synthetic biology and metabolic engineering
. You’ll play an important role in engineering microbial strains and expression systems to improve enzyme performance and support the scale-up of next-generation biocatalysts.

Hands-on industrial experience is essential for this position. We’re looking for candidates with proven industrial experience in non-GMP microbial genetics for enzyme production
. This should include practical experience of multi-gene bacterial expression, enzyme-yield optimisation, laboratory records and safety documentation.

Working within Hyd Regen’s Biology team and reporting to the Head of Biology
, you’ll develop and improve plasmid and microbial strain libraries to support enzyme biocatalyst production.

Using a combination of laboratory-based and in silico genetic techniques, you’ll work to improve enzyme expression, stability, titre, activity, yield, productivity and robustness.

You’ll collaborate closely with colleagues across fermentation, chemistry, analytical science, R&D, QC and production, using experimental and process data to guide genetic design and improve strain performance.

This is a non-GMP, lab-based industrial R&D role where scientific rigour, practical delivery and high-quality documentation are equally important.

• Develop plasmid and chromosomal systems for multi-gene recombinant enzyme expression.
• Identify and engineer genetic targets affecting transcription, translation, protein maturation and metabolic burden.
• Apply techniques including knock-out, knock-in, gene editing, pathway engineering, cloning, DNA assembly and genomic integration.
• Optimise promoters, ribosome binding sites, terminators, copy number, selection markers, plasmid stability and expression control.
• Design experiments and characterise constructs using PCR, restriction digestion, sequencing and bioinformatics.
• Maintain genetic toolkits, plasmid libraries and microbial strain libraries.
• Use fermentation, test-expression, metabolomics, carbon-flux and expression-marker data to guide genetic design.
• Analyse experimental data, draw clear conclusions and make practical recommendations.
• Work with fermentation, chemistry and analytical colleagues to optimise strain performance across screening and process conditions.
• Prepare and maintain SOPs, reports, risk assessments, biosafety records and other technical documentation.
• Support molecular biology and cell culture laboratory operations, including inventories, consumables, equipment checks and safety documentation.
• Communicate findings and recommendations clearly to internal teams and external partners.

• Proven, hands-on industrial experience in non-GMP microbial genetics for enzyme production.
• Practical industrial experience with multi-gene bacterial expression and enzyme-yield optimisation.
• A degree in biology, microbiology, genetics, synthetic biology or a related discipline.
• Practical experience with cloning, DNA assembly and mutagenesis.
• Experience with relevant genome-engineering approaches such as homologous recombination, CRISPR/Cas and/or FLP/FRT.
• Experience optimising gene expression and designing genetic constructs.
• Bioinformatics skills relevant to construct design…