Senior Computational Microbiologist

pbJob Title: Senior Computational Microbiologist /b- 100% /ppAt bCellX Biosolutions AG /b, an innovative ETH spin-off, we develop microbial solutions to bdegrade persistent environmental pollutants /b such as PFAS and pesticides. Our mission is to bring the world's first commercial bacterial solution for PFAS remediation from the lab into real-world industrial application. /ph3Role Overview /h3pWe are looking for a bSenior Computational Microbiologist /b to build and lead our in-house computational and molecular microbiology capability from the ground up. You will establish a mechanistic and metabolic understanding of how our bacterial strains and communities degrade PFAS and other persistent chemicals. You will translate this understanding into a computational pipeline that predicts strain performance and guides the rational design of synthetic microbial communities for specific use-cases. /ppThis role bridges computation and experiment. You will work hands-on with sequencing data (Illumina, Oxford Nanopore PacBio) as well as other omics and analytical data streams. You will also design the experiments that validate computational predictions in our strains. You will supervise a Laboratory Technician who supports wet-lab and sequencing workflows. This is a senior, high-impact, 100% onsite role with the freedom and responsibility to shape CellX's data-inferred product development as we move from the lab to the field. /ph3Main Responsibilities /h3h3Team leadership supervision /h3ulliSupervise and mentor our Laboratory Technician involved in the project, coordinating wet-lab, cultivation, and sequencing workflows (Illumina, Oxford Nanopore, PacBio) to ensure high-quality data for downstream analysis /liliSet priorities and quality standards for sample preparation, sequencing, and data handover between wet lab and bioinformatics /liliDesign, build, and maintain an in-house bioinformatics pipeline covering genome assembly, annotation, and comparative genomics from short-read and long-read sequencing data /liliEvaluate and integrate the best available tools and methods, including AI/ML approaches, for genome mining, functional annotation, and strain characterization /liliEnsure the pipeline is reproducible, scalable, and not limited to current technologies, so it can incorporate new sequencing and omics data types as they become relevant /li /ulh3Metabolic understanding PFAS degradation /h3ulliEstablish a metabolic-level understanding of how our bacterial strains degrade PFAS, identifying the genes, enzymes, and pathways involved /liliBuild and apply genome-scale metabolic models to predict degradation capability and metabolic potential across strains /liliDesign and run experiments, including genetic tools and functional assays, to validate predicted degradation genes and pathways /liliDevelop genetic tools for non-model environmental bacteria to support strain characterization and improvement /li /ulh3Predictive modeling synthetic community design /h3ulliDesign and implement models that predict and learn from strain-level genomic and functional data to prioritize the most promising strains /liliDevelop a framework to guide how synthetic microbial communities should be assembled per use case, based on predicted strain function and interaction potential /li /ulh3Collaboration, field regulatory support /h3ulliWork closely with our RD team to align bioinformatics outputs with experimental and pilot-project needs /liliMonitor applied strains in pilot and field deployments /liliContribute technical documentation for regulatory and biosafety approval of our microbial products /liliContribute bioinformatics analyses and insights to internal reports and, where relevant, client deliverables /li /ulh3Your Profile /h3h3Required qualifications /h3ulliPhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Microbial Genomics, or a related field /liliSenior-level experience (typically 5+ years) in microbiology research, combining computational and experimental work /liliStrong programming skills (Python and/or R) and experience with workflow managers (e.g. Nextflow, Snakemake) /liliHands-on experience applying AI/ML methods to biological or genomic data (e.g. function prediction, genome mining, metabolic modeling) /liliSolid understanding of microbial physiology and metabolism, including enzymatic transformation and degradation pathways /liliExperience supervising, mentoring, or leading junior team members /liliExcellent English skills (C1 or higher) /li /ulh3Preferred qualifications /h3ulliDirect experience in the PFAS field, or with biodegradation of other recalcitrant/xenobiotic pollutants /liliFamiliarity with long-read sequencing data (Oxford Nanopore, PacBio) /liliExperience with regulatory documentation or field trials of applied microorganisms /liliPrior experience in a startup or applied biotech environment /li /ulpA note: research indicates that women and individuals from marginalized groups tend to apply only when they meet all of the criteria. If you believe you're qualified, but don't necessarily check every box, please submit an application. /ph3We offer /h3ulliA senior, high-impact role shaping CellX's computational and molecular microbiology capability from the ground up /liliCutting-edge scientific environment at the intersection of microbiology, genomics, and environmental biotechnology /liliCompetitive salary and a stock option package /liliCollaborative startup culture with fast decision-making, a high level of responsibility, and the opportunity to shape the world's first commercial bacterial solution for PFAS remediation /li /ul #J-18808-Ljbffr