Materials Development Leader

Would you like to join an international startup and become part of a dynamic scientific team?

We are seeking a talented individual to lead the development of Unibaio materials. This person will work under the supervision of the CTO and with the support of the Advisory Board. They should have a strong background in material science and be highly motivated to innovate in a dynamic startup environment.

The main responsibilities for this role will include researching, designing, and testing new materials at the micro and nanoscale (organic or inorganic) for agriculture. The candidate will also be expected to analyze computational data related to simulated nanosystems to support the engineering and development of these materials.

This position will be based in our Mar del Plata laboratories and requires a full-time commitment (40 hours per week).

About Unibaio

As a science startup, we are focused on developing bio-nano technology for agriculture. Our main product are biodegradable micro-nanocapsules and carriers that improves the delivery of agrochemicals and reduces their application rate by up to 80%. This technology allows companies that produce fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides to offer more sustainable products that are just as effective as traditional options.

Our team is led by Vera Alvarez (PhD in materials science, President of the Argentine Foundation of Nanotechnology), and Claudia Casalongué (PhD in life science and a UC Davis Fulbright scholar). This technology is the result of 10 years of research by CONICET and is now able to offer agrochemical companies a new way to transition towards more sustainable agriculture.

Our small but mighty team is starting to grow and we need you on board!.

Main Tasks and responsibilities

• ?? Investigate the physicochemical, functional and micro/nanoencapsulation properties of different molecules and/or chemical extracts using basic and applied sciences.
• ?? Develop devices (nano/microcapsules) for the efficient supply of nutrients, products of chemical or biological origin for agriculture.
• ?? Plan and carry out experiments to investigate and analyze micro and nanoscale systems
• ?? Coordinate with the development leader Bio-Agro in the provision of materials for field trials and guarantee the provision of materials that must be produced for this purpose.
• ?? Supervise the laboratory technician and monitor the progress status of the developed and produced systems.
• ?? Develop a better understanding of the physicochemical principles that govern the processability of agrochemicals, the functionality of agrochemical components and the evolution of quality attributes of micro/nanochemicals in their final formulation.
• ?? Advice on technical aspects for the certification and labeling of materials
• ?? Investigate and develop new approaches and analytical methodologies that allow the authentication of agricultural products and materials.
• ?? Extrapolate the data to elaborate hypotheses and theories that explain the experimental results.
• ?? Develop sustained innovative methods to improve existing products or procedures.
• ?? Design the scaling of materials that are of commercial interest. Collaborate in the search for places to carry them out in real form.
• ?? Assist in the preparation and design of work plans related to funds and financing sources (investors, accelerators, subsidies and government programs, among others)
• ?? Design and maintain a system for recording materials and tests.

The right candidate

We are seeking a highly qualified and experienced nanotechnologist, materials engineer, chemistry graduate, or other related professional to join our team. The successful candidate will have at least 5 years of experience in the tasks described, with a preference given to those who have experience in the production and scaling of bioparticles, as well as knowledge of technology development and public-private partnerships. In order to be successful in this role, you must have excellent communication skills in both English and Spanish, as well as proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Google Drive. The ability to create professional reports and presentations in Power Point or a similar program will be a strong asset.

We are looking for a candidate who is highly adaptable and has a strong ability to solve problems and challenges of an ever-changing Startup.. You should be able to take on new challenges with enthusiasm and a willingness to learn, with the support of the CTO and the Advisory Board. As you will be leading a team of laboratory technicians, it is important that you have the capacity for team building and leadership.

This position is based in our Mar del Plata laboratories, but we may be able to accommodate some flexibility in terms of time and location for the right candidate. If you are passionate about entrepreneurship, science, and the environment, and have a strong desire to make a positive impact, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

How to apply

Please fill in?this Google form?attaching your resume.

Don't hesitate to apply if you feel like you are the right person for the job!

We are looking forward to getting to know you :)

Application End Date: 31 Jan 2023