Associate Director of Microbial Discovery and Development

Location: Oakland, CA (in person)

Reports to: Chief Scientific Officer

Compensation: $120,000–$150,000 base salary benefits

About AnimalBiome

At AnimalBiome, we’re working to improve the health and happiness of pets through microbiome science. Our team combines deep scientific expertise with a shared love for animals, and we’re building new ways to restore balance to the gut microbiome through data-driven, evidence-based solutions.

We’re looking for an experienced scientist who can serve as a player‑coach leader to direct our Microbial Discovery and Development program — someone who thrives at the intersection of microbiology, genomics, and innovation. This hands-on role will help shape the next generation of microbiome-based therapies for companion animals while remaining deeply engaged in day‑to‑day experimental and platform development work.

The Role

As Associate Director of Microbial Discovery and Development, you’ll guide Animal Biome’s efforts to discover, characterize, and develop microbial strains and consortia with therapeutic potential. You’ll oversee a talented team of research associates, build on our fermentation and culture platforms, and collaborate across teams to bring discoveries closer to real-world products.

We’re looking for someone who combines hands-on technical excellence with early-stage leadership—someone who can execute experiments, guide platform development, and help shape long‑term plans.

What You’ll Do

Lead Discovery and Development

• Oversee research to identify and characterize new microbial strains and communities with health benefits for pets.
• Design and optimize anaerobic culture and fermentation systems for strain screening and production.
• Integrate culturomics and genomic approaches to expand AnimalBiome’s microbial library.
• Curate and maintain the Animal Biome Microbial Repository, including strain provenance, annotations, and genomic safety assessments.
• Maintain a high standard of scientific rigor, data quality, and reproducibility.
• Develop bench‑scale fermentation analytics and contribute to early tech‑transfer packages in partnership with the CSO.

Shape Strategy and Collaboration

• Develop and implement the scientific roadmap for microbial discovery, ensuring alignment with company goals.
• Work closely with our Product and Quality Teams as well as our manufacturing partners to advance promising candidates toward pilot‑ready and manufacturable states.
• Provide input on project priorities, budgets, and resource planning as part of the R&D leadership team.

Build and Mentor a Strong Team

• Mentor and help develop scientists, computational biologists, and technicians, serving as a project lead and assisting with future hiring as the program grows.
• Foster a collaborative, curious, and mission-driven lab culture.
• Support career development and skill-building within your team.

Represent and Grow the Program

• Build partnerships with academic labs, CROs, and other collaborators to strengthen Animal Biome’s discovery platform.
• Contribute to publications, IP filings, and grant proposals.
• Represent Animal Biome’s science at conferences and within the microbiome research community.

What You Bring

Required

• Ph.D. in Microbiology, Microbial Ecology, Bioengineering, or a related field.
• 5–7 years of experience in microbiome research, microbial discovery, or live biotherapeutic development.
• Expertise in anaerobic microbiology, microbial consortia design, and bench‑scale fermentation.
• Experience leading complex research projects and mentoring junior team members.
• Strong foundation in microbial genomics.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred

• Experience moving discoveries into manufacturing or preclinical development.
• Familiarity with regulatory and quality frameworks for microbial or probiotic products.
• Demonstrated success in IP creation, grant funding, or partnerships.
• An entrepreneurial mindset and enthusiasm for improving animal health.
• Exposure to tech transfer, CRO/CMO collaboration, or assay validation workflows.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

AnimalBiome is a growing team of scientists and innovators who care deeply about improving the lives of pets. We value curiosity, creativity, and collaboration — and we’re not afraid to take on big challenges if it means making a difference.

We offer:

• A chance to help shape a growing scientific program.
• A supportive, mission-driven culture that values both people and science.
• Competitive salary, stock options, and comprehensive benefits.
• Professional growth opportunities.

If you’re excited about applying microbiome science to improve the lives of animals, we’d love to hear from you.