Position Overview
The software we make takes big data from our lab and presents it to food and agriculture professionals so that they can (1) improve food production and quality and (2) tell the story of how good their food really is. We're looking for a Head of Food Science and Technology who is motivated by solving hard problems for real people (in this case: measuring food nutritional composition for farmers, food producers, and eaters everywhere). Come help us build an ambitious startup that exists to illuminate the connections between climate, agriculture, nutrition, and human health.
Reporting to the CEO, you will lead and manage our lab analysis platform and science programs, the operations of our laboratory and be responsible for overseeing analytical chemistry, spectroscopy, and QA/QC. Our laboratory science and technology team is focused on building novel food datasets generated from mass spectroscopy instrumentation to enable the understanding of the true complexity & variability of food. You will oversee the operations, layout, process, and overall flow of our laboratory science & technology including planning and managing human and instrument resources.
Your day-to-day mission will involve:

• Setting the vision and direction for our multi-modal lab analysis platform and science programs including analytical chemistry, optical spectroscopy and QA/QC from planning, operations, and execution
• Management of laboratory teams of scientists, chemists, and technicians, including supervision, support, and scheduling as well as hiring of future team members
• Leading laboratory management, including oversight of data collection, analysis, troubleshooting, and maintenance and technical oversight of chromatography, mass spectrometry and spectroscopy instruments (GC-MS, LC-MS, ICP-MS)
• Oversee integration, collaboration and timelines with other functions from product, engineering, and data science teams.
• Selection and implementation of a Laboratory Management Information System appropriate for laboratory and company growth
• Scheduling and managing laboratory assets for high-throughput analysis of samples, including data generation for both customer reporting and database acquisition
• Oversee the preparation of analysis reports on food composition analysis generated from lab equipment using analytical techniques and statistical methods
• Ensuring completion of projects in a time effective manner that produces defensible data as it relates to quality control, quality assurance, validation and result reporting
• Development, implementation and maintenance of laboratory policies in accordance with the Quality Management System that ensures the lab is operated in a productive and compliant manner with ISO 17025 as well as Health, Safety, and Hazardous Materials Handling training and procedures
• Provides mentorship, training, prioritization and guidance to assigned staff on laboratory protocols and methods to meet client & project needs including collaboration with an interdisciplinary team to complete project workflows
• Demonstrates a positive, collaborative attitude under pressure while ensuring the timely reporting of laboratory deliverables
• Build a positive lab and scientific culture in line with company values and remote team engagement

What you should have:

• PhD with 10 years or MS with 12 years of experience in analytical chemistry, chemistry, biochemistry, or nutritional biochemistry
• Experience in the food science, pharmaceutical, and/or biotechnology sectors
• 7 to 10 years of lab management experience with a focus on operations, services, QC/QA, and supervision
• Previous experience managing a laboratory with multi-modal mass spectrometry technologies with an understanding of chromatographic separation, mass spectral fragmentation, and determination of unknown compounds
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills
• In depth knowledge of wet chemistry ideally as it relates to extraction of analytes from complex food matrices according to AOAC and modified AOAC methods
• Experience with ISO 17025 accreditation and/or taken a lab through this process
• Demonstrated leadership and vision in managing staff and projects
• Excellent communication skills

Strong preference for:

• Experience with method development, validation, and deployment for analysis of common food analytes in multi-dimensional food types (e.g. vitamins, fatty acids, elements) and structure elucidation of unknown analytes using mass spectrometry
• Experience working with extraction and analytical techniques in food matrices

Where and how you would work

• The job is based in Marlborough, MA and it is expected that you will be present four to five (4-5) days per week at the lab.
• Candidates will need a driver's license and must undergo a background check.
• All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
• This job requires a permanent work visa for employment in the U.S

Equity: 0.5-2.0%, depending on qualifications and experience.
Flexible vacation policy.
Paid holidays.
Health, vision, and dental insurance.
401k with 4% company match.