We’re expanding our team to further the development of our microbial weaving technology- a biofabrication platform that employs bacteria to grow a new class of cellulose-based textiles & composites. Our goal is to provide truly sustainable + inspiring cellulose-based materials to reduce the industry’s dependence on petrochemicals — without sacrificing performance or creativity.
Our Philosophy
Modern Synthesis was founded on the idea that the convergence of disparate disciplines, perspectives and ideas is key to building a robust biomaterial economy. We thrive on a culture of debate, and value transparency, collaboration and both personal and cumulative growth. We are committed to building a diverse team and an inclusive environment where all employees are welcome.
We hire people, not roles, so we can be flexible on scope. If you believe you are qualified for a portion of a role, and can demonstrate a desire and proven ability to adapt and take on new skills and challenges, we strongly encourage you to apply.
We’re Hiring!
We are looking for a versatile technician who loves making and producing materials, whilst working in a small and motivated team. You are someone who takes pride in a weekly routine, executing the assigned process in a precise and accurate way. You are eager to continuously improve and adapt within evolving processes.
You’ll be working within our sample production line, operate production equipment and machinery (including our robotic weaving system “Warpbot”) and work closely with our technical teams to help developing tools and processes for the creation of bio-fabricated (grown) materials.
You’ll be working in a fast paced startup with great opportunities for learning and growth. This is a unique opportunity to get hands-on experience shaping future textile manufacturing. We can’t promise it’ll always be glamorous, but we can promise it’ll be exciting!
Job Responsibilities
Daily workshop & growlab activities:
- Operate and maintain production equipment such as presses, heat rollers and other light machinery.
- Operate & maintain our custom robotic weaving systems (“Warpbot”) for production and sample generation.
- Work with efficiency and accuracy at all stages of the versatile process.
- Thoroughly collect and log production data (yields, quality checks, various product metrics) and present to the team.
- Follow our standard operating procedures to ensure top quality and consistency throughout the entire production process.
- Maintain a clean, professional and presentable workshop/lab environment.
- Work closely with the Biology Lab Technician, to establish & ensure seamless production workflow.
- Work with the Science Team to maintain growlab and assist with growth culture preparation.
- Executing daily lab protocol including cleaning and maintenance of lab equipment.
Production development:
- Provide feedback and advice for optimisation and development of current production technology.
- Support the technical development of new automated grow & weaving systems.
- Assist in or lead the fabrication of new machinery or tools.
- Research and source new required machinery and tools.
- Support the Design Engineering team in prototype/product development.
- Liaise with both internal and external partners and experts to solve complex technical problems.
Health and Safety:
- Follow and ensure high standards of health and safety.
- Assist with improving SOPs and risk assessments.
- Arrange maintenance, servicing and calibration of equipment.
Physical Requirements:
- Able to lift and move 3kg frequently.
- Comfortable working standing for up to 4 hours / day.
- Comfortable wearing PPE (gloves, goggles, face mask) when required.
About You
- Undergraduate degree (i.e. Engineering or related) or two years relevant experience of working in a production environment (i.e. fabrication, technician, creative technologist, machine operator or related).
- Fabrication experience (metal, plastics, prototyping).
- Experience operating sensitive machinery.
- Adapt mechanical understanding.
- Systematic and detail oriented thinking.
- Very good problem solving skills: open to invent and find unusual solutions to unusual problems.
- Reliable and trustworthy with solid time-management skills.
- Proficiency in office & communication tools (G-Suite, MS Office)
- Give and receive feedback in a constructive way.
- Strong interpersonal skills – able to work with and support team members from different backgrounds and disciplines.
- Interest in the intersection of fashion, materials and biology
Nice to haves:
- CAD Knowledge (Rhino)
- Interest or experience in digital / generative design methods.
- Knowledge & experience operating CAM machines (3D printers, CNC, Laser Cutter, toolpath generation).
- Experience working in a lab environment (e.g. chemistry or microbiology lab).
- Experience with material testing equipment and protocols.
- Experience in textile manufacturing.
Benefits
- Central London office and lab
- Competitive salary, pension plan and stock options
- 25 days leave + bank holidays
- Interdisciplinary team with opportunities for learning and growth
- Flexible working – WFH supported 1-2 days a week
- Support from world leading experts and advisors
- Real, positive impact
Details
Salary: £24-30k depending on experience
Desired start date: June 2022
Full time
How to Apply
Apply here by Sunday 8th May, with answers to the following questions (aim for around 100 words each):
- Why do you want to work in biomaterials?
- What experience do you have in working in workshops or fabrication environment?
- Why are you interested in working for a startup company?
Are you excited to produce new high performance biomaterials? We’re looking for a biomaterials chemist to research, develop & test new formulations and finishes for our products.
You’ll be working with the tech team to grow and process novel materials at scale, run new reactors, process equipment. You’ll also work to optimise conditions to increase production capacity, while improving product quality & performance.
You’ll be supporting cutting edge R&D and academic collaborations to develop the future of biomaterial technologies as well as working with the design team to produce innovative materials for projects with global fashion brands.
Job Responsibilities
Product Development
- Research, develop and test product formulations for novel composite biomaterials
- Test and improve finishing processes and chemistries to enhance material performance
- Perform material characterization with internal equipment and working with external testing organisations
- Support process scale up to pilot scale
- Support customer projects with leading fashion brands to develop new performance materials
R&D
- Record, analyse, interpret and present experimental data
- Assist with IP development and filing of patents
Team
- Build relationships and collaborate with advisory board including world leading experts from industry and academia
- Work with production partners and suppliers
About You
- Bachelors or masters degree in chemistry, bioengineering, materials science or similar
- Practical lab experience working with biomaterials/biopolymers in academic or industrial settings
- Self-motivated with a learning and growth mindset
- Strong organisational and time-management skills
- Excellent communication skills (verbal, written and within digital meeting settings)
- Experience or willingness to collaborate with an interdisciplinary team
- Comfortable with rapid innovation cycles, shifting priorities and constant growth that comes with working in a startup
- Passion for sustainability and impact
- Proactive and flexible to take on new tasks and challenges
Beneficial experience
- Production and characterisation of biomaterials/biopolymers
- Knowledge of cellulose chemistries
- Knowledge of textile processing, chemistries and finishing
- Any fermentation or bioprocess experience – from tissue culture to brewing beer!
- Start-up or spin-out experience
- Experience writing grant and/or patent applications
Benefits
- Central London office and lab
- Competitive salary, pension plan and stock options
- 25 days leave + bank holidays
- Interdisciplinary team with opportunities for learning and growth
- Flexible working – WFH supported 1-2 days a week
- Support from world leading experts and advisors
- Real, positive impact
Details
Manager: Bioprocess Scientist
Salary: 28-36k
Desired start date: As soon as possible
How to apply
Send CV and cover letter (with the position you are applying for in the subject line) to people@mod-synth.com
We’re looking for a design engineering intern to support development of our ‘microbial weaving’ technology. You’ll be responsible for the design and prototyping of tools, processes and systems for the creation of new biomaterials alongside our technical and creative teams.
If you are a systems thinker who loves to tinker with robots, motors, mechanisms, machines, additive manufacturing and future materials and want your efforts to have a genuine impact on big environmental challenges — we’d love to meet you.
You’ll be working in a fast paced startup with great opportunities for learning and growth. This is a unique opportunity to get hands-on experience shaping future textile manufacturing. We can’t promise it’ll always be glamorous, but we can promise it’ll be exciting!
Internship project:
- The main project will start with research into comparable industries and projects and a presentation of the findings to the team (Phase 1).
- Scope definition and planning will then define the prototyping and build phase which will be followed by testing and improvements (Phase 2).
- At the last phase, strategies towards further development and larger scales will be explored alongside the final assembly. At the end the final prototype, project documentation and the plan for scalability is again presented to the team (Phase 3).
Job Responsibilities
Design & Prototyping
- Responsible and self driven work on the main internship project.
- Design and 3D modelling of parts and tools.
- Research and source required off the shelf components.
- Research into the subject and presentation of the research findings to the team.
- Prototyping and testing of mechanisms and small machines.
- Machine and build parts in the Makerversity workshops.
- Assist design and engineering team members to improve our microbial weaving processes.
- Assist in development of digital design tools using Rhino and Grasshopper.
- Contribute to process development and work documentation (SOP).
- Weekly report of the progress to the manager.
About You
- A recent graduate from mechanical engineering, design engineering, industrial design or related field.
- Strong portfolio (can be student work) exhibiting conceptual and technical design skills.
- Very good mechanical understanding and hands on engineering experience.
- Confident working in a workshop environment.
- Self driven learning and independent worker.
- Good work documentation skills.
- Excellent CAD skills (preferably Rhino).
- Experience using Arduinos, sensors & motor control.
- Proven technical foundation in product and/or systems design.
- Some experience (can be student work) with additive manufacturing / CNC.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Reliable and trustworthy with solid time-management skills.
- Flexibility and problem solving – able to take on new ideas and challenge conventional wisdom.
- Able to work in London full time during the summer.
- Must be eligible to work in the UK.
Nice to haves:
- Skills in parametric/generative design platforms such as Grasshopper.
Details
Manager: Design Engineering Lead
Salary: London Living Wage
Desired Dates: From early July, 10-12 week placement
Hours: Full time
Location: London
How to Apply
Apply here by 1st May with answers to the following questions (aim for around 100 words each):
- Why do you want to work in biomaterials?
- What excites you in making, tinkering and problem solving?
- What relevant experience do you have working in fabrication workshops/prototyping facilities?
We’re looking for a Chief of Staff to help us scale our team and processes to support an ambitious growth trajectory. You’ll work directly with our co-founder and CEO Jen Keane, helping to shape our operational strategy, while driving the day-to-day grind, keeping us running like a well oiled machine, and implementing policies to ensure our team stays happy and healthy as we grow.
Collaborating with founders and other senior leadership team members, you’ll help us track and stay accountable to our business and impact goals. We’re currently a core team of 8, but we are growing quickly, so this is an exciting opportunity to help build and shape our direction.
If you believe business can be a force for good, you care deeply about the human side of sustainable manufacturing, have a digging desire to create and maintain order and have been waiting for your chance to design your ideal workplace – we want to speak to you.
Job Responsibilities
People
- Actively build team trust and promote an inclusive, high performance culture
- Board/Investor/Company Communications – Help prepare Board Meeting and investor communications. Also help with messaging to the whole company around OKRs, strategy updates, etc to make sure everyone is informed and aligned
- Lead the hiring process by writing job specs, sourcing and interviewing candidates and advising on org design to attract the best talent
- Implement HR policies, education, diversity + inclusion initiatives, keeping track of overall employee wellbeing & ensure ownership and empowerment of every member of the team
Business Operations
- Work with the CEO to set operational strategy, track and communicate appropriate performance targets across the team via our weekly team meetings.
- Drive organizational innovation, proactively generating new initiatives by spotting opportunities to fix, improve and simplify.
- Run day-to-day business operations keeping us all accountable to our business and impact goals
- Finance – Lead budget-setting and monitoring, forecasting, cash flow and other financial tasks
- Corporate Responsibility – Collaborate with founding team to set and implement corporate responsibility policies and impact goals
- Compliance – Liaise with legal council to manage corporate and employment document updates and ensure compliance
- Drive accountability and citizenship through entire organization
- Ad Hoc Projects – Evaluate and oversee office space expansion, offsite planning, changes in market compensation bands, etc.
About You
- 5+ years relevant experience, working in a start-up or similar environment within a larger organization, with experience managing a team / direct reports
- Strong organizational leadership with a keen sense of ownership, and a track record of delivering results in the face of ambiguity and concurrent priorities that often shift
- Excellent communication skills, you should be a presentation pro and skilled writer with experience writing job descriptions, internal and/or external comms
- High level of emotional intelligence and able to build strong working relationships with anyone
- A proactive approach to getting things done
- Keen financial knowledge, with experience building financial models, managing budgets and accounting – we’re not looking for an accountant but you know your way around a P&L
- Experience with corporate legal structuring, documentation, compliance
- Effective manager of Google Calendar and Drives, and keen, detail-oriented ability to navigate busy calendars and inboxes by taking action, tracking, and following up as needed
- High level of integrity and used to handling confidential and sensitive information
- Comfortable working in a fast paced start-up environment
- Experience managing a hiring process, from role structuring through to onboarding
- Positive, can-do attitude, identifying potential obstacles with a mindset to find solutions + work arounds
Benefits
- Central London office and lab
- Competitive salary, pension plan and stock options
- 25 days leave + bank holidays
- Interdisciplinary team with opportunities for learning and growth
- Flexible working – WFH supported 1-2 days a week
- Support from world leading experts and advisors
- Real, positive impact
Details
Manager: Jen Keane (Co-founder & CEO)
Salary: 40-60K + equity (dependant on experience)
Desired start date: As soon as possible
Location: London
We’re hiring on a rolling basis, so encourage you to apply as early as possible.
How to Apply
Applications are now closed.