**DSM - Bright Science. Brighter Living.** Our Strain Improvement and High Throughput Screening team is looking for a scientist to drive the development and improvement of innovative nutritional products. The applicant will lead, design and execute strain optimization projects in support of product/process development efforts at the DSM Biotechnology Center in Columbia, MD. The applicant will be part of a team tasked with the development and improvement of commercial microbial products within a collaborative, global, fast-paced environment. (S)he will act as a liaison between various departments (fermentation, down stream processing and analytical chemistry groups) to develop screening methods and ultimately organisms that deliver target performance at large scale fermentation production. The position will require hands-on work in our laboratories as well as project leadership and team mentorship responsibilities, with the potential to grow into larger leadership opportunities in the future. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. **Job Qualifications** - Master's Degree with 3+ years's equivalent experience in microbiology, genetics, microbial cell physiology, biochemistry, microbial culturing, fermentation or related field or new PhD with relevant industry experience - Experience required with analysing microbial cells in small scale cultivation systems. - Experience with classical strain engineering/screening or evolutionary engineering is a plus. - Practical experience desirable with high-throughput screening methods and metabolic diagnostic techniques such as liquid-handling robotics, microscopy, staining, fluorescent labelling, and flow cytometry; experience with advanced analysis software programs such as Spotfire, LabVantage or JMP a plus. - Excellent leadership skills, ability to motivate and inspire. - Excellent communication skills - Team player, able to work with multi-disciplinary and multi-national teams - Highly innovative scientist with a drive to create and translate new ideas into practical advances - Motivated self-starter with good organizational skills and the ability to multitask - Some travel required DSM NA is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. DSM is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law.