Company Description

As a global key player in yeasts and fermentation, Lesaffre designs, manufactures and markets innovative solutions for Baking, Food taste & pleasure, Health care and Biotechnology.

Family group born in northern France in 1853, now a multi-national and a multicultural company, Lesaffre is committed to working with confidence to better nourish and protect the planet.

In close collaboration with its clients and partners, Lesaffre employs 11 000 people in more than 50 countries.

Lesaffre achieves a turnover of 3 billion euros.

Job Description

The Biofoundry. Lesaffre is establishing the first industrial Biofoundry in France. It’s gathering an international team of motivated, risk-taking scientists and engineers to merge biology, engineering, automation, and computer science to improve microorganism engineering, screening, and selection for a wide portfolio of industrial biotechnology applications (baking, brewing, bioethanol, flavors and fragrances, food and feed, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals).

The Automation team. As a transversal support team, our mission is to automate, integrate and develop solutions to accelerate the innovation.

In the context of a new position, we are looking for an Automation Research Associate. 

Your main mission will be :

• Design, implement, maintain, and troubleshoot automated protocols using laboratory automation equipment, including but not limited to liquid handling systems, robotics, and microplate readers.
• Collaborate with scientists and technicians to identify bottlenecks in existing laboratory workflows and improve them through automation.
• Create and maintain software for laboratory automation systems using various programming languages.
• Deliver training and technical support to laboratory staff on the use of automation equipment and software.
• Perform maintenance and/or repairs on laboratory equipment, including calibrations and quality controls as needed to ensure consistent and reliable performance.
• Coordinate repairs, preventative maintenance, and installations for different devices with internal and external engineers.
• Stay up to date with evolving laboratory automation technologies and advise management on trends and potential applications.
• Report to management, and perform presentations as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in biology/automation/computer science/biotechnology or a related field is required. Master’s degree is preferred.
• Previous experience in laboratory automation, equipment, and materials.
• Previous experience with microbiology and molecular biology lab practices and protocols.
• Previous experience in liquid handler software (Biomek, Venus 6, etc).
• Previous experience with Integrated System Scheduling Software (Momentum, SAMI, etc).
• Programming experience (Python, VB, C#).
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to collaborate effectively with scientists and technicians.

Additional Information

What can Lesaffre offer you:

• We are a successful family-owned company with long-standing history where people truly matter.
• We promote a sense of fulfilment with a genuine mission: nourish and protect the planet.
• You will experience intellectual challenges within a multi-expertise network.

At Lesaffre, diversity is a strength that enriches our culture and our teams. We are committed to offering you a work environment where you can thrive, regardless of your background, gender, age or abilities. We encourage all applications, as we believe that diverse perspectives strengthen our ability to innovate and meet the challenges of tomorrow.