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, enabling 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
• Creation and training of our proprietary algorithms, our Data Loom

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

What You’ll Do

You are the scientific anchor who brings together all contributors across our discovery pipeline. While research is owned by our Discovery group, you will guide the expertise and direction of the Bactotechnology program, shaping its content, prioritizing scientific insights, supporting the growth of our specimen collection, and equipping colleagues and customers with a clear, science-based understanding of our work. Your responsibilities will include:

• Owning and expanding the Bactotechnology expertise within NutEx, strengthening the technical foundation of our program.
• Collaborating with Biodiversity Curators and the Discovery Research Manager on all bacterial discovery pipeline projects, identifying candidates for new products in animal feed.
• Establishing innovative analytical methodologies for characterizing complexes containing bacteria and their specialized metabolites using advanced techniques.
• Designing and executing sophisticated laboratory experiments to evaluate the efficacy of BactoComplexes.
• Pioneering applications of complexity science to assess multi-compound interactions within BactoComplexes and their holistic effects on animal welfare, health, and performance.
• Growing and curating technical content for customer visits to the Nutreco Garden of the Future and supporting training for business partners.
• Sharing expertise across teams to ensure continuous education and scientific alignment within NutEx.
• Enhancing the visibility of Bactotechnology at NuGaFu and engaging with customers as a scientific leader in the space.
• Building and maintaining a scientific network relevant to Bactotechnology and representing NutEx at key congresses.

Who We’re Looking For

You are someone who takes ownership of your expertise and enjoys pushing boundaries in a fast-paced discovery environment. Comfortable with complexity and ambiguity, you thrive on exploring new scientific ground alongside a diverse team. The ideal candidate will have:

• PhD in Microbiology or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of 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 with a 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 essential for close collaboration with the team.

What You’ll Receive

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. You will enjoy:

• 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 to Apply

We invite you to apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered. 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. Get ready to own your ideas, your expertise, and your future. #OwnIt