Job Summary

IFF is an Innovation Powerhouse making the impossible a reality through Biotechnology. The IFF laboratories in Leiden have a long and dynamic history that goes back to the beginnings of modern biotechnology, to become the world market leader in sustainable bio-solutions. The Leiden R&D team houses 37 creative, multi-disciplinary scientists from 13 different nationalities.
Our R&D team develops microbial cell factories to produce engineered enzymes for applications in food & beverages, home & personal care, animal nutrition and health, grain processing and more. We implement all innovative steps from business idea and the use of generative AI to sample genetic diversity, to assay design, high-throughput screening, full-scale testing and manufacturing at our production plants.
We are seeking an enthusiastic Automation Specialist to join our Research & Development team in Leiden. In this role, you will collaborate closely with scientists to understand their workflows, identify opportunities for automation, and implement high-throughput solutions. You will develop and optimize automation processes, transition manual workflows to automated systems, and continuously evaluate new technologies.

Key Responsibilities:

Collaborate and Support Lab Scientists: Together with colleagues in R&D, identify opportunities for automation and implement high-throughput solutions.Develop and Optimize Lab Workflows: Provide hands-on support to implement, refine, and enhance lab workflows to meet the evolving needs of the R&D teams.Explore and Validate Innovative Solutions: Continuously evaluate new technologies, liaise with vendors, organize demonstrations, and validate cutting-edge tools and kits for the lab.Make Data-Driven Decisions: Collaborate with scientists to make informed decisions on process improvements. Take initiative to improve data quality and metadata capture.Provide Hardware and Software Support: Provide first-line support and assessment for hardware/software issues, issue fixing, and repairs. Work with vendors to arrange timely repairs, preventative maintenance, and user-training.Support Organizational Data Management: Collaborate with data scientists, facility support, and IT to facilitate the improvements of data storage and transfer infrastructure.Contribute to Lab Management: Cooperate with R&D team members to maintain and improve lab infrastructure, logistics, and facilities, ensuring smooth operations in the labs.Be a Key Partner to the Global Team: Support local and global team during technology transfers and beyond. Leverage best practices to ensure high-quality scientific standards across global sites.

Job Requirements:

Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in life sciences, engineering, or a related field with 5+ years of experience in lab automationExpertise in operating and programming automated liquid handling systems.Hands-on experience translating wet lab molecular biology/biochemistry workflows into automation protocols.Experience in high-throughput screeningExperience with programming languages such as Python to develop and enhance automation workflows.Ability to develop and deploy technologies with ambitious timelines and deliverables.Strong problem-solving skills and a results-driven mindset.Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a passion for working in a team-oriented environment.Adaptable and eager to learn, with a proactive approach to tackling challenges.Fluent in spoken and written English is expected.

We offer:

Position in a dynamic team of inspired, innovative, and highly skilled scientistsAn energetic work environment created by inclusive and multicultural teamThe opportunity to grow professionally and to develop a career in BiotechnologyCompetitive salary and attractive compensation and benefits, such as:Individual Choice Budget of 8% of the annual base salary, employee choice to be paid in monthly instalments or to exchange for additional time off up to 15 extra days per year25 vacation days and 3 bridge days, of which 2 of them are determined by the employerAnnual Incentive Plan.

We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.

Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more