The Opportunity
Marine Biologics develops SeaTex, a kelp-derived functional-ingredient platform for food, beverage, and adjacent applications. We are hiring an R&D Scientist to build the scientific foundation that makes SeaTex defensible, scalable, and SKU-ready.
What You Will Do
- IP scoping & patent filing (primary focus) — Define divisional-patent requirements. Translate lab results into patentable claims; work with outside counsel on drafting, FTO, and prosecution. Own trade-secret capture.
- Physico-chemical modification — Run process-modification studies, optimise product features against target SKU specs, and benchmark performance across conditions.
- Supply-chain technical qualification — Define biomass quality criteria, run qualification studies, and set raw-material specs.
- Lab leadership — Set the experimental agenda, direct lab technician(s), and maintain rigorous documentation.
Required
- PhD in chemistry, biochemistry, polymer science, food science, or related discipline.
- Named inventor on at least one issued or pending patent covering a novel food, nutraceutical, cosmetic, or biomaterial ingredient. This is the primary screening criterion.
- Hands-on experience translating wet-lab results into patent claims and working with patent counsel.
- Polymer, polysaccharide, or hydrocolloid chemistry expertise.
- Comfortable owning a small lab end-to-end: design, execution, documentation, and reporting.
Preferred
- Prior work with kelp, algae, seaweed extracts, or marine-derived ingredients.
- Powder or emulsion particle-engineering experience (micronising, stability testing).
- Experience mapping biomass quality attributes that impact the functional output of the processed ingredient in order to contribute to the definition of incoming-material specs.
- Track record moving an ingredient from bench to pilot scale.
Compensation
Base salary commensurate with experience. Equity participation included.
