Head of R&D
About us
NoPalm Ingredients produces yeast oils & fats, made from agri-food waste streams that are perfect substitutes to palm and other vegetable oils in food, cosmetics, and home care products. Our products offer a two-sided solution that reduces both the use of palm oil and food waste.
Founded in 2021, NoPalm Ingredients is on a mission to challenge companies and product manufacturers to implement our local, circular, and sustainable oils as an alternative to palm oil.
By upcycling agri-food side streams into circular yeast oils, we are making a worldwide environmental impact, contributing to a waste-free world, decarbonizing the entire value chain with 90% less greenhouse gas emissions, and limiting the impact on natural habitats as we reduce land-use by 99%.
About the role
We’re looking for an experienced and visionary Head of R&D to lead the scientific and technical innovation at NoPalm Ingredients. In this role, you’ll be responsible for overseeing our R&D Verticals (Strain optimization, pre-treatment, fermentation, recovery & extraction, post processing & packaging, oil characterization, pilot line and laboratory), guiding them in developing and scaling cutting-edge fermentation technologies. You will manage a multidisciplinary R&D team, starting with 6 direct reports, and play a critical role in driving our technology from lab to pilot and eventually into our DEMO factory.
Team & People Management
Lead, mentor, and manage the Lead Scientists and Laboratory- and pilot line Supervisor.
Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance team culture.
Support team members in career development, goal setting, and performance feedback.
Technical Oversight
Guide experimental design and execution across yeast oil production, spent biomass valorization and product development.
Ensure scientific rigor, reproducibility, and data-driven decision-making.
Drive the development and optimization of fermentation strains, bioprocesses, and downstream purification techniques.
Stay on top of relevant scientific developments and regulatory trends.
Operational & Cross-functional Collaboration
Work closely with Business Development, Operations, and Engineering to transition R&D results into scalable manufacturing processes in NoPalm’s future DEMO and FOAK commercial factory.
Oversee laboratory infrastructure and planning in collaboration with the Laboratory Supervisor.
Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards in all R&D activities.
Strategic Leadership
Define, execute and lead the R&D strategy in alignment with company goals—focusing on innovation, scalability, and commercial readiness.
Bridge scientific development with business strategy; collaborate cross-functional to drive technology-driven growth.
Translate vision into clear R&D roadmaps, timelines, and resource plans and manage the team to execute.
About you
We're looking for someone with a pro-active attitude that manages our R&D team to deliver on our milestones and ensures continuous alignment with Commercial and Operations Teams.
M.Sc. and/or Ph.D. in Microbiology, Biotechnology, or related field with 15+ years of hands-on experience.
Strong command of fermentation and extraction technologies
Experience in a start-up, scale-up or similarly fast-moving environment is a big plus.
Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills.
Independent, proactive, and able to thrive in a flexible, evolving environment.
We value diversity and believe that our team's unique perspectives and experiences makes us stronger. While we may have listed specific requirements for this role, we encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. We are looking for individuals who are passionate, driven, and excited about the opportunity to join us on our mission. Don't let a lack of exact qualifications hold you back from applying - we are excited to learn more about you and what you can bring to the table!
What's in it for you?
A pivotal role in a fast-growing, purpose-driven company
Competitive salary and Stock Appreciation Rights
25 days of vacation
Commuting allowance and Pension plan
Hybrid work flexibility
Team outings & monthly get-togethers
Team outings and monthly get-together’s
Visa sponsorship available for non-EU talent
Great coffee (obviously)
This is a key role in a purpose-driven, fast-growing start-up and will provide you with the chance to contribute meaningfully to sustainability and innovation.
Want to join?
Then we'd love to hear from you!
Our 4-step recruitment process:
Round 1 | digital | intro call with our Chief of Staff | First impressions, Culture fit & practicalities
Round 2 | live | with our CCO and COO | Role & team fit
Round 3 | live | with one of our team members | management style and team fit
Round 4 | live | with CTO and CEO | Organization fit and Motivation
Deadline of applications are July 4th. We aim to complete this process in July
You’ll receive a confirmation email when we’ve received your application—please check your SPAM folder just in case.
We’ve designed a tight recruitment schedule to minimize your waiting time for news and enhance your experience in finding the right match for both you and our team. If this schedule doesn’t work for you, please let us know as soon as possible, and we will do our best to accommodate.