Iuva Labs Recruitment 2026
We are a start-up dedicated to producing sustainable food-grade proteins using recombinant DNA technology and precision fermentation. Iuva Labs Pvt Ltd is hiring Research Investigators in Molecular Biology, Computational Biology, Bioprocess, and Analytics at IIT Bombay.
Explore Open Positions
1 Research Investigator (Molecular Biology)
🎓 Qualifications
PhD in Biotechnology, Microbiology, or Life Sciences with 0-2 years of experience specific to molecular biology of bacteria or yeast.
📋 Key Responsibilities
Yeast Molecular Biology:
- Develop and execute strain engineering strategies for recombinant protein production using yeast strains such as Pichia pastoris.
- Perform routine genetic engineering experiments such as PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis, transformation, and SDS-PAGE.
Lab Management:
- Support the maintenance of lab equipment and cultures, ensuring smooth operation of fermenters and other bioprocessing equipment.
- Perform routine lab tasks, including preparing media, sterilizing glassware, and maintaining a clean and organized workspace.
- Handle bioanalytical techniques such as SDS-PAGE, western blotting, and other relevant assays.
Data Analysis and Reporting:
- Record and analyze experimental data accurately, ensuring consistency and reliability.
- Prepare detailed documentation of experiments, including lab notebooks and data sheets.
- Assist in preparing reports and presentations of experimental findings for team discussions.
- Engage with consultants and auditors to troubleshoot, optimize, and standardize experimental processes and techniques.
Team Leadership and Execution:
- Supervise and mentor junior researchers, ensuring successful execution and monitoring of R&D projects.
- Guide team members in experimental planning, culture maintenance, and analytical processes (e.g., SDS-PAGE, western blotting, bioanalytical techniques).
Strategic Contributions:
- Collaborate with the leadership team to provide insights into process strategies and contribute to strategic decision-making for project goals.
- Train team members on SOPs, analytical methods, and documentation processes.
🎯 Key Competencies
- Proven experience in handling recombinant protein expression, strain engineering, and lab management.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and reasoning skills.
- Ability to manage projects independently and work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Excellent communication and data recording skills.
2 Research Investigator (Computational Biology)
🎓 Qualifications
PhD in Computational Biology, Bioengineering, Systems Biology, Bioinformatics, Chemical Engineering, or Life Sciences with 1-3 years of hands-on experience (post-PhD or industry) in metabolic modeling, flux analysis, and omics data integration for microbial production hosts (bacteria, fungi, and yeasts).
📋 Key Responsibilities
Genome-Scale Metabolic Modeling (GEMs) & Bottleneck Identification:
- Reconstruction & Gap-Filling: Reconstruct, curate, and refine dynamic, strain-specific genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs) for microbial expression hosts using constraint-based frameworks (COBRA, Flux Balance Analysis / FBA, Flux Variability Analysis / FVA).
- In Silico Strain Engineering: Predict cellular bottlenecks, metabolic sinks, and energy/cofactor limitations (e.g., ATP, NADH/NADPH demand) associated with high-level heterologous protein expression.
- Metabolic Flux Analysis (MFA): Formulate computational strategies—including gene knockouts, overexpression, and promoter swap libraries—to optimize carbon yield, minimize toxic byproduct accumulation, and enhance target protein titers.
Omics Pipeline Development & Data Integration:
- Multi-Omics Data Pipelines: Build, automate, and maintain robust computational processing pipelines (Python, R, MATLAB) for high-throughput RNA-seq, intracellular metabolomics, and proteomics datasets.
- Genotype-to-Phenotype Mapping: Integrate transcriptomic and metabolomic profiles from fed-batch bioreactor runs to identify cellular stress responses, chaperone bottlenecks, and upregulated protease networks under high-density fermentation conditions.
- Target Discovery for Protein Yield & Stability: Develop innovative bioinformatic workflows to predict protease cleavage sites, design degradation-resistant protein variants, and identify novel folding factors/chaperones for strain co-expression.
Bioprocess Cross-Functional Integration & IP Strategy:
- Upstream/Bioprocess Collaboration: Translate time-series bioreactor data (gas transfer, feed rates, substrate consumption) into kinetic and constraint-based parameters to refine model predictions continuously.
- Internal Digital Twin Support: Act as the technical internal subject matter expert interfacing with external digital twin partners, ensuring computational bioprocess architecture aligns with biological strain constraints.
- IP Generation & Innovation: Conceptualize and computationally validate novel biological designs to support internal IP generation and proprietary host development.
🎯 Key Competencies
- Proven track record of building, validating, and publishing/deploying genome-scale metabolic models (COBRA toolbox, Cameo, CobraPy, or similar).
- Deep expertise in RNA-seq, transcriptomics, and metabolomics data analysis (differential expression, pathway enrichment, network analysis).
- Strong programming skills in Python, R, or MATLAB, with familiarity in version control (Git) and high-performance computing (HPC) environments.
- Practical understanding of microbial physiology, metabolic pathways, and protein folding/secretion mechanisms in yeast or fungal cell factories.
- Strong strategic thinking, excellent technical documentation, and cross-functional communication skills to bridge computational outputs with wet-lab execution.
3 Research Investigator (Bioprocess)
🎓 Qualifications
PhD in Biotechnology, Microbiology, or Life Sciences with 0-2 years of experience specific to developing upstream and downstream processes for precision fermentation.
📋 Key Responsibilities
Bioprocess Development:
- Design and execute upstream fermentation processes for recombinant protein production using yeast and fungal systems.
- Conduct shake-flask expression studies; harvest cultures and analyze protein expression levels.
- Set up and operate lab-scale fermenters for process optimization and parameter studies.
- Translate optimized processes to pilot-scale/large-scale fermenters in collaboration with consultants and manufacturing partners.
- Perform downstream operations such as centrifugation, filtration, and buffer exchange.
Lab Management:
- Support the maintenance of lab equipment and cultures, ensuring smooth operation of fermenters and other bioprocessing equipment.
- Perform routine lab tasks, including preparing media, sterilizing glassware, and maintaining a clean and organized workspace.
- Handle bioanalytical techniques such as SDS-PAGE, western blotting, and other relevant assays.
Data Analysis and Reporting:
- Record and analyze experimental data accurately, ensuring consistency and reliability.
- Prepare detailed documentation of experiments, including lab notebooks and data sheets.
- Assist in preparing reports and presentations of experimental findings for team discussions.
- Engage with consultants and auditors to troubleshoot, optimize, and standardize experimental processes and techniques.
Team Leadership and Execution:
- Supervise and mentor junior researchers, ensuring successful execution and monitoring of R&D projects.
- Guide team members in experimental planning, culture maintenance, and analytical processes (e.g., SDS-PAGE, western blotting, bioanalytical techniques).
Strategic Contributions:
- Collaborate with the leadership team to provide insights into process strategies and contribute to strategic decision-making for project goals.
- Train team members on SOPs, analytical methods, and documentation processes.
🎯 Key Competencies
- Proven experience in handling recombinant protein expression, strain engineering, and lab management.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and reasoning skills.
- Ability to manage projects independently and work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Excellent communication and data recording skills.
4 Research Investigator (Analytics)
🎓 Qualifications
PhD in Bioanalytical Sciences, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, or Life Sciences with 0-2 years of relevant post-PhD experience in analytical development for biologicals or precision fermentation products.
📋 Key Responsibilities
Analytical Method Development & Bioprocess Collaboration:
- Method Development & Characterization: Design, optimize, and execute robust analytical methods—including chromatographic techniques (RP-HPLC, SEC, IEX) and mass spectrometry workflows (LC-MS, GC-MS)—for the comprehensive characterization of both recombinant proteins and small molecules.
- Cross-Functional Bioprocess Support: Work in close collaboration with upstream (fermentation) and downstream processing teams to develop fit-for-purpose assays, analyze in-process samples, troubleshoot matrix effects, and track target molecules throughout the bioprocess workflow.
- Orthogonal Bioanalytics: Oversee complementary analytical assays (e.g., SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, spectrophotometric assays) to evaluate protein purity, titer, stability, and small-molecule metabolite profiles.
Lab Management:
- Support the maintenance of lab equipment and cultures, ensuring smooth operation of fermenters and other bioprocessing equipment.
- Perform routine lab tasks, including preparing media, sterilizing glassware, and maintaining a clean and organized workspace.
- Handle bioanalytical techniques such as SDS-PAGE, western blotting, and other relevant assays.
Data Analysis and Reporting:
- Record and analyze experimental data accurately, ensuring consistency and reliability.
- Prepare detailed documentation of experiments, including lab notebooks and data sheets.
- Assist in preparing reports and presentations of experimental findings for team discussions.
- Engage with consultants and auditors to troubleshoot, optimize, and standardize experimental processes and techniques.
Team Leadership and Execution:
- Supervise and mentor junior researchers, ensuring successful execution and monitoring of R&D projects.
- Guide team members in experimental planning, culture maintenance, and analytical processes (e.g., SDS-PAGE, western blotting, bioanalytical techniques).
Strategic Contributions:
- Collaborate with the leadership team to provide insights into process strategies and contribute to strategic decision-making for project goals.
- Train team members on SOPs, analytical methods, and documentation processes.
🎯 Key Competencies
- Proven hands-on expertise in HPLC (RP, SEC, IEX), GC-MS, and basic Mass Spectrometry for biological matrices.
- Good grasp of upstream fermentation and downstream recovery workflows to effectively troubleshoot matrix interference.
- Strong troubleshooting skills for analytical hardware, columns, and data acquisition software.
- Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and manage analytical pipelines for multiple concurrent projects.
- Excellent technical writing, data presentation, and communication skills.
Ready to Join Iuva Labs?
If you meet the qualifications and are passionate about sustainable food-grade proteins, we want to hear from you!
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