Lead Chemical Analyst

We are looking for an experienced and hands-on Lead Chemical Analyst to join our team!

About us

NoPalm Ingredients produces yeast oils and fats made from agri-food waste streams that are substitutes for palm and other vegetable oils in food, cosmetics, and home care products. Our products help reduce both the use of palm oil and food waste.

NoPalm Ingredients is working to help companies and product manufacturers implement local, circular, and sustainable oils as an alternative to palm oil.

By upcycling agri-food side streams into circular yeast oils, we are contributing to a waste-free world, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and limiting the impact on natural habitats through reduced land use.

About the role

As the Lead Chemical Analyst, you will play a key role in building, organizing, and executing the analytical strategy within our rapidly growing fermentation startup. You will lead a small team of laboratory technicians responsible for method development and execution, sample preparation, routine analytics, and data reporting. This role combines hands-on analytical work with leadership responsibilities, driving analytical excellence across R&D and production environments.

The main focus of the role:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a small team of analytical technicians and interns.
• Plan and prioritize daily, weekly, and project-based analytical workloads.
• Ensure efficient execution of sample analysis, documentation, and reporting.
• Foster a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement in the laboratory.
• Develop, optimize, and validate analytical methods relevant to bioprocesses (e.g., HPLC, GC).
• Troubleshoot analytical issues and ensure high-quality, reliable data.
• Ensure proper calibration, maintenance, and performance of analytical instruments.
• Interpret complex analytical data and ensure accurate and timely reporting of results, trends, and deviations.
• Create, implement, and maintain analytical SOPs, work instructions, and documentation.
• Work closely with fermentation scientists, microbiologists, downstream processing teams, and product and application development.
• Provide analytical input for experimental designs, process optimization, and troubleshooting.
• Support scaleup activities with robust analytical guidance.

About you

You are a proactive and self-motivated individual who thrives in collaborative team settings while leading others effectively. Your meticulous attention to detail ensures high-quality results in all your work. You have strong organizational skills and are able to set priorities effectively. You communicate clearly and can translate analytical results into meaningful insights. You have a genuine passion for the foodtech industry and sustainability, driving you to contribute meaningfully to our mission.

More specifically, we are looking for someone who has:

• An MSc or PhD (or equivalent) in Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Technology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, or a related field.
• 4–6 years of hands-on R&D analytical laboratory experience, preferably in an industrial bioprocess environment such as fermentation, biotechnology, food, or biobased materials.
• Experience leading or mentoring junior staff or technicians.
• Strong proficiency with analytical equipment, such as chromatography and spectrometry.
• Solid understanding of fermentation-related analyses (e.g., organic acids, lipids, sugars, biomass indicators).
• Solid understanding of microbiological analytical methods (e.g. plate counts, microscopy, phenotype identification, enzyme assays).
• Data analysis and interpretation.
• Knowledge and expertise in lipid and fats chemistry, such as analytical technologies for lipid characterization, lipids and fats functionality and physical properties, and lipid oxidation and stability.

We are looking for individuals who are passionate, driven, and excited about the opportunity to join us on our mission.

What's in it for you?

• Being part of a fast-growing purpose-driven start-up where you can make an impact from day 1.
• Participation in our Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) plan.
• 25 days of vacation allowance.
• Commuting allowance.
• Pension plan.
• Flexibility in working from home and working in the office.
• Team outings and monthly get-togethers.
• Great coffee.