(Founding) Computational Biologist

About us:

At Differential Bio, we are pioneering the future of biotechnology through the power of lab automation and digital modeling. As a digital biology challenger, we focus on optimizing the end-to-end fermentation performance through media and bioprocess improvements, particularly in the realm of probiotics. Our cutting-edge Virtual Scale-up Platform empowers us to revolutionize traditional lab work, enabling more sustainable and economically viable bio-based production in the long run.

Role summary:

We are seeking a highly skilled (Senior) Computational Biologist to join our young and ambitious team in Munich, Germany or remote with regular lab visits. This role involves leveraging multi-omics- and high-throughput screening (HTS) data and advanced computational methods to optimize probiotics strains and bioprocesses. You will play a pivotal role in improving and expanding our modeling pipeline to drive real-world production outcomes.

Key responsibilities:

• Design and implement a hybrid modeling strategy:
  • Expand our data-driven microbial growth data & AI pipeline with explicit genomic information (or OMICs sources in the wider sense);
  • Together with the AI team, drive the model architecture towards end-to-end train-ability that requires fewer human edits of the pipeline over time;
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to design experiments and strategies for data acquisition and analysis: how to expand our assay repository to build better hybrid models over time, especially for unknown strains where little prior knowledge exists; Appreciate the opportunity that low-cost high-throughput screening (HTS) offers us 🚀.
• Stay abreast of latest advancements in genomics, computational biology, and bioinformatics, and apply emerging technologies to enhance pipeline efficiency and accuracy.

Qualifications:

• PhD or Master’s degree in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Systems Biology, Microbial Genetics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a similar role, with a strong background in microbial genomics and biotechnology;
• Strong expertise in genome-scale metabolic model (GEM) construction and applications;
• Strong proficiency in the Python programming language, and familiarity with database management systems;
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Nice to have:

• Extensive experience with machine learning techniques and statistical data analysis in a biological context;
• Experience using state-of-the-art data-driven approaches to link metabolic and phenotypic data to genotypes;
• Experience in constructing metabolic networks of probiotics and microbiomes and predictive metabolic models based on metabolic and genomic data;
• Experience with the biology of commensal bacteria and commensal ecology and/or their health applications;
• Startup mentality: Comfortable with ambiguity and adaptable to a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

Benefits:

• Get on board early: Become an early part of a visionary team that is leveraging the power of digital biology to unlock the $4tn bioeconomy;
• Competitive compensation through salary + stock options; we are looking to build a small but mighty team and think about compensation along those lines;
• Leadership opportunity: Work closely with visionary founders and grow into a leadership role with significant responsibility;
• A beautiful office in the heart of Munich
• eGym WellPass membership