Senior Microbiologist / Senior Microbiologistess

Why Join Us

Get ready to own groundbreaking discovery work as a Senior Microbiologist at Nutreco, an SHV company. As global leaders in animal nutrition, our purpose of Feeding the Future drives us to explore new scientific frontiers.

About Nutreco Exploration

In 2021, Nutreco established Nutreco Exploration (NutEx), a discovery group that develops novel and proprietary ultra-specialty ingredients and products for feed. NutEx engages in two programs: Phytotechnology and Bactotechnology, leveraging plants and bacteria, respectively, to address the complex challenges faced by modern production animals, including aqua species, livestock, and pets.

Nutreco Exploration is based at Nutreco’s Garden of the Future, located in Switzerland’s Phytovalley near the Austrian and German border. This competence center boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities that enable all activities required for the discovery and development of PhytoComplexes and BactoComplexes. Our on-site discovery capabilities include:

• Program expertise
• Discovery research, including biological models
• Biodiversity curation and specimen management
• Advanced phytochemistry and method development
• The creation and training of our proprietary algorithms, known as Data Loom

This senior position offers exceptional opportunities to lead groundbreaking investigations into Bactotechnology, translating fundamental expertise into transformative commercial applications that improve global animal health.

What You’ll Do

You are the scientific anchor who connects all contributors across our discovery pipeline. While the research is owned by our Discovery group, you will own the expertise and direction of the Bactotechnology program. You will shape its content, guide scientific priorities as new insights emerge, support the growth of our specimen collection, and equip colleagues and customers with clear, science-based understanding of our work. Specifically, you will:

• Own and expand the Bactotechnology expertise within NutEx, strengthening the technical foundation of our program.
• Work closely with Biodiversity Curators and the Discovery Research Manager on all bacterial discovery pipeline projects, helping identify candidates for new products for animal feed.
• Establish innovative analytical methodologies for characterizing complexes containing bacteria and their specialized metabolites using advanced techniques.
• Design and execute sophisticated laboratory experiments to evaluate the efficacy of BactoComplexes.
• Pioneer complexity science applications to assess multi-compound interactions within BactoComplexes and their holistic effects on animal welfare, health, and performance.
• Grow and curate the technical content for customer visits to the Nutreco Garden of the Future and support training for business partners.
• Share expertise across teams to ensure continuous education and scientific alignment within NutEx.
• Contribute to the visibility of Bactotechnology at NuGaFu and engage with customers as a scientific leader in the field.
• Build and maintain a scientific network relevant to Bactotechnology and represent NutEx at key congresses.

Who We’re Looking For

We seek someone who takes ownership of their expertise and enjoys pushing boundaries in a fast-paced discovery environment. You are comfortable with complexity and ambiguity, and you thrive on exploring new scientific ground together with a diverse team. You will bring:

• A PhD in Microbiology or a closely related field.
• A minimum of 5 years relevant experience in animal or human health, R&D, product development, applied research, or a related field.
• Fluency in English and Spanish.
• Experience teaching or working in an educational or training-focused environment (a plus).
• A creative, exploratory mindset and the drive to learn, collaborate, and take smart risks.

This role will be based in Arbon, Thurgau, Switzerland. Full-time on-site presence in our Garden of the Future site is mandatory for close collaboration with the team.

What You’ll Receive

You’ll join a united global community driven by the purpose of Feeding the Future. NutEx offers a deeply collaborative environment where scientific curiosity is encouraged, and your contributions help shape Nutreco’s future innovation pipeline.

• A full-time position with a competitive remuneration package and pension scheme.
• 25 vacation days, with the option to buy/sell a limited number.
• Opportunities for global project involvement and business travel.
• A flexible working environment.

How and Why to Find Out More

We can offer you a career with purpose, innovation, and impact. If you’re excited about shaping the future of animal nutrition and contributing to scientific breakthroughs at the intersection of biology and discovery, we’d love to hear from you. Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

Get ready to own your ideas, your expertise, and your future. #OwnIt