The Fynder GroupVerified Source

Senior Manager Director Strain Development

Onsite · Chicago, Illinois
Posted August 12, 2026
payroll

Overview

The Fynder Group seeks a Senior Manager or Director to lead strain development using extremophile fungi. This role drives technical strategy and leads a team to engineer filamentous fungi for scalable protein production. The position offers a fast-paced startup environment focused on solving complex challenges.

What You'll Do11

  • 1Strategic & Technical Leadership Set Direction & Priorities Manage scientific staff and engineering filamentous fungi translate corporate OKRs into technical milestones
  • 2Team Building & Mentorship Build lead and mentor scientists foster collaborative culture
  • 3Innovation Management Manage innovation projects maintain timelines while applying technical and business acumen
  • 4Advanced Fungal Engineering Design builds strain builds develop new products realize Fusarium potential
  • 5Tool Development Create molecular biology synthetic biology gene-editing tools for filamentous fungi
  • 6Genotype-to-Phenotype Discovery Lead genotype-phenotype connections engineer improved strains
  • 7High-Throughput Screening Modernize micro-scale screening automation increase efficiency
  • 8Data-Driven Insights Champion data-driven approaches using DOE and genomics databases
  • 9Multi-Omics Integration Oversee NGS transcriptomics metabolic flux analysis accelerate predictive engineering
  • 10Cross-Functional Integration Interface with fermentation protein chemistry analytical development regulatory manufacturing new business development
  • 11External Collaboration Establish partnerships to transfer optimized strains to commercial scale

Requirements11

  • 1Ph.D. in Molecular Biology Genetics Microbiology or related field
  • 2Experience managing 5+ years direct people management and project leadership
  • 3Ph.D. with 10+ years fungal strain engineering track record
  • 4Commercial track record developing recombinant microbial strains preferred
  • 5Expert knowledge of filamentous fungi culture genetics manipulation
  • 6Absolute expertise in cloning DNA assembly gene editing CRISPR/Cas systems
  • 7In-depth knowledge of genomics software LIMS ELN analytical frameworks
  • 8Familiarity with DOE statistical methods high-throughput data analysis
  • 9Startup agility comfort navigating fast-paced environment
  • 10Strong written verbal communication clear technical reporting
  • 11Innovative mindset can-do attitude enthusiasm for engineering fungi

Salary Insight

Salary not disclosed in listing

Location

Typeonsite
LocationChicago, Illinois

Required Skills

CRISPR/CasMolecular BiologySynthetic BiologyHigh-Throughput ScreeningData AnalyticsNext-Generation Sequencing (NGS)TranscriptomicsMetabolic Flux AnalysisLIMSELN
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