About Benson Hill
Benson Hill empowers innovators to develop more healthy, tasty and sustainable food by unlocking the natural genetic diversity of plants. Benson Hill’s CropOS™ platform combines machine learning and big data with breeding techniques and plant biology to drastically accelerate and simplify the product development process. This platform allows for cost-effective and more efficient ways for companies to analyze and make improvements in plant genetics. Benson Hill brings a unique and holistic approach to our product and platform development, as we span a broader workflow involving trait and seed development, genome editing, and breeding all the way to creating better ingredients and varieties that tap a strong consumer demand for more flavorful and nutritious fruits and vegetables. More information can be found online at www.bensonhill.com. Follow us on Twitter at @BensonHillInc.
Our Purpose and Core Values
Our Core Values are a set of common principles we share that are fundamental to our company’s identity.
- Be Bold! We redefine boundaries by providing new solutions to difficult problems. Together we are driven to transform the future and will not allow the fear of failure to prevent us from innovating. We voice our opinions, embrace change, and challenge each other to think creatively.
- Be Inspired! We have purpose in our work-we are curious, engaged, and have fun. We maintain an active learning mindset and are motivated by diverse people and thoughts. We are energized by all innovators and together we aim to make an impact and contribute to building a better world.
- Be Real! We understand who we are, what we want to achieve, and what it takes to get there. We hold each other accountable through timely, candid, and well-intentioned feedback. Together we engage in honest communication and healthy debate that leads to success through true alignment.
Department Overview
The Research and Development Department is responsible for the development of technology platforms and products designed to support the future growth, competitiveness, and long-term sustainability of the company. As part of its platform development efforts, R&D conducts a wide range of research activities, namely in the areas of trait discovery and validation, crop genetic engineering, crop transformation, molecular detection, biochemical assays, plant growth, and molecular breeding, to name a few. These activities are aimed at developing new capabilities in crop research, the outcome of which is then leveraged to create new product development opportunities and shorten the time to market. The department leverages its platform capabilities and extensive knowhow in biology and crop science, along with the computational expertise housed within the Data Science & Platform Engineering, as well as the market insights of the Business Development and Commercial teams to design new seed genetics that create improved ingredients. These ingredients offer tangible benefits to consumers, specifically in the areas of sustainability, affordability, health and nutrition.
Position Summary
Technical expert within the department and cross functionally, leading development of analytical methods for advanced process monitoring and enabling enhanced modeling capability with a heavy focus on spectroscopic equipment - developing and expanding existing inhouse capabilities
You Will:
(Essential Duties and Responsibilities)
- Conduct analyses using Spectroscopic techniques (including, but not limited to NIR) to solve for challenges in the fields of Food Technology
- Apply skills and knowledge in the field of Spectroscopy & Statistics to develop and implement test methods for product development
- Performs data analytics, predictive modeling, chemometric statistical modeling and analysis, outlier analysis, multivariate data analysis, machine learning, and/or data mining, as related to scientific data.
- Establish Hybrid/mechanistic process models to accelerate development, increase fundamental understanding, improve risk assessment and deliver more robust processes
- Interpret data and communicate analytical results to multi-disciplinary team members in a high-quality, professional, and timely manner
- Conceive, develop and validate test methods for both routine and non-routine analyses, help identify trends and solve problems using sound fundamentals and creativity
- Adeptly troubleshoot, maintain and coordinate existing Spectroscopic instruments. Seek out and evaluate new characterization tools and approaches to support analysis
- Investigate and implement novel approaches to spectroscopic modeling while considering the unique dynamics of the process being observed
- Provide support to analytical lab as necessary for business needs to ensure accurate and timely analysis
- Execute NIR (and potentially other spectroscopy) programs including control charting, documentation, bias evaluation, and equipment maintenance Troubleshoot issues related to the NIR (or other spectroscopy) processes and programs
- Support life cycle management in the maintenance and updating of on-line/at-line analytical measurement and control technology. Determine process stability criteria through the means of on-line measurements
- Provide technical leadership in evaluating new analytical technology for future implementation
You Have:
(Competencies and Qualifications)
Education
- Master’s degree in Chemometrics, Chemical or Biochemical Engineering or a related subject with emphasis on data analytics/chemometrics and process modeling with a minimum of 6-8 years relevant industry experience
- Proficiency in mainstream chemometric techniques (multivariate classification, calibration, pattern recognition, PCA/PLS) and familiarity with design of experiments concepts and methods.
Experience
- Expertise in spectroscopy such as, but not limited to NIR, RAMAN or NMR is required, and use in-line and online is essential
- Expertise in the chemometrics tools (Unscrambler, Matlab, PLS Toolbox or SIMCA) for multivariate analysis, modeling and model calibration using offline data is essential
- Familiarity with other data driven machine learning methods (SVM, ANN, Bayesian modeling) or the application of hybrid empirical/mechanistic modeling
- Experience in analytical chemistry or biochemistry including chromatography, mass spectrometry, spectroscopy, proteomics, genomics, or other biochemical analysis methods
- Experience in the agricultural domain is a plus
- Proven ability to collaborate and influence key stake holders and external partners to make meaningful impact, and leadership decision making
- Excellence in communication, presenting at department and project team meetings, including training of cross functional members
- Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical audiences
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well in teams, to design and execute work plans and experimentation guide model development, qualification and documentation activities
Software/Skillset
- Strong presentation skills, inc PowerPoint
Other
- High level of flexibility, commitment, and performance standards.
- Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills
- Self-starter with a positive outlook and motivated demeanor
We have a Total Rewards Package at Benson Hill that consists of more than just your paycheck. Total Rewards at Benson Hill covers Pay (salary and bonus), Health (employer benefit contributions) and Wealth (investments). Some of the perks include:
- A Collaborative Environment
- A flexible PTO program with a focus on work/life balance
- Competitive medical benefits and retirement savings plan
- FREE Dental and Vision Coverage
- Education reimbursement
- PAID parental leave
- And more….
