Head of R&D

At NoPalm Ingredients we are looking for an experienced Head of R&D to join our team!

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
• 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.