Protein Scientist Team Lead

Provectus Algae uses Precision Photosynthesis® to accelerate nature in a proprietary biomanufacturing platform. Combining AI-driven strain selection with precision-controlled cultivation, we discover and produce high-value compounds from algae, one of the least explored and most promising sources of novel biology on Earth.

We are assessing this position as applications are received. 

Position summary

The Protein Scientist Team Lead owns the protein arm of our crop protection discovery program, taking bioactive targets from algal biomass through to purified and characterised novel protein candidates. The role covers the full in-house pipeline including discovery purification,  and characterisation of novel proteins to solve global crop protection challenges

This is a hands-on leadership position. You will run key experiments yourself while planning the work of a small team, and holding the program to its milestones. You will work closely with our algae cultivation and analytics teams while collaborating , and with external R&D providers internationally.

Key accountabilities & responsibilities

• Own the protein workflow from algal biomass through to identified, characterised protein candidates, and deliver it to agreed timelines.
• Develop and standardise protein extraction and bioactivity-guided fractionation methods from algal biomass.
• Manage multi-step purification strategies (affinity, ion exchange, size exclusion, HIC, rp-HPLC) on FPLC systems, and scale them from milligram screening to gram-scale supply.
• Lead protein identification, coordinating mass spectrometry and interpreting results against in-house sequence data to confirm candidate identity.
• Deliver protein material of sufficient quantity, purity and integrity to support bioassays on schedule.
• Lead, mentor and schedule a small team of scientists and research assistants, and manage workload across concurrent projects.
• Manage project resourcing, equipment and consumables budgets, and the selection and oversight of external providers.
• Maintain scientific records and SOPs to a standard that supports patent filings and technology transfer, and identify patentable outcomes as they arise.
• Present results, risks and recommendations to the executive team, and translate findings into decisions on which candidates progress.
• Ensure safe operation across chemical, biological and GMO containment requirements, in line with Provectus WHS procedures.

Essential skills & experience

• Degree in biochemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology or a related discipline.
• 6 to 10 years of hands-on experience in protein science across research, biotech or biomanufacturing.
• Deep practical expertise in protein purification, with the judgement to design a strategy for an unknown target.
• Strong protein characterisation capability, including electrophoresis, stability and light scattering methods, and interpretation of mass spectrometry data.
• Proven experience leading or supervising a small scientific team, with strong project management and clear communication.
• Comfortable in a fast-moving commercial environment: pragmatic, hands-on, and able to decide with incomplete information.

Desirable / advantageous

• Experience with insecticidal, antimicrobial or other bioactive proteins and peptides, or with natural product discovery.
• Experience with algae, microbial or plant-derived protein sources.
• Familiarity with bioinformatics tools for sequence assignment and structure prediction.
• Experience managing CROs or research partners.

What we offer

• A genuinely novel scientific problem with commercial backing and clear milestones.
• Scope to design the platform, choose the equipment and build the team around it.
• A small, technically strong team where good ideas move quickly.
• Based in Noosa, Queensland, with occasional travel to partner and provider sites.