Junior Scientist / Biotechnologist

Company Description

Sika is a specialty chemicals company with a globally leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing, and protecting in the building sector and transportation industry. More than 33,000 employees across 103 countries generated annual sales of CHF 11.2 billion in 2023.

Job Description

Sika's Net Zero Pledge offers many opportunities to enhance profitable growth based on a minimal or negative carbon footprint, where the growing availability of bio-based materials and technologies is a key to success. In this newly created role, based in Zürich or Sarnen, you would help drive forward projects in the field of mycelium, bacteria or living building approaches by:

• Independent development and testing of bio-based products, technologies and their manufacturing processes, including scale-up
• Supporting other projects and departments in bio-based development and supporting with biological expertise on testing methods, and additional areas for investigation, taking into account CO2 footprint, land use, biodiversity, etc.
• Initiate the development and patenting of new technologies and processes
• Ensuring the exchange of information with internal and external partners and expanding expertise as well as know and maintain the state of the art (e.g. competing products, specialist literature, congresses, patents)
• Mapping out the project landscape of bio-based products across Sika R&D and identify potential synergies
• Determining necessary characterization techniques and analytical methods to further advance projects 

Qualifications

• University Degree in Applied Sciences or equivalent
• Strong expertise in the fields of biochemistry, biotechnology, or process engineering
• Strong leadership and project management skills
• Additional knowledge or interest in the construction sector, with a potential background, is advantageous
• Personality with an open mindset, excellent interpersonal skills, curiosity, and the ability to connect theory and practice
• High level of independence and the courage to tackle and complete new tasks together with colleagues in the team
• Resilient, with high self-motivation, creativity, flexibility, and strong leadership qualities
• Fluent in English and German knowledge preferred

Additional Information

In view of global megatrends such as climate change and urbanization, we strive to find sustainable solutions that have a positive impact on the environment today and for future generations. This is how we create trust: by always delivering more than expected.

Sika fosters a climate of respect in which employees can develop their skills and take responsibility

Summary

• Type: Full-time
• Function: Research
• Experience level: Entry Level
• Industry: Chemicals