Who we are
AmphiStar is a young and dynamic spin-off company (2021) of Ghent University and the Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant. We offer a portfolio of locally produced, fully waste-based biosurfactants for brand owners and their suppliers seeking to develop genuinely sustainable, performant and affordable surfactant substitutes.
Surfactants are used as active and functional ingredients in a wide variety of products we all use in our daily lives, such as consumer- and industrial products, in sectors as diverse as home- and personal care, cosmetics, textile, pharmaceuticals, food and feed, detergents etc. We like to say that without surfactants the world comes to a halt!
Today, 98% of these surfactants are not sustainable: they are mainly based on fossil- or palm oil feedstocks and typically produced using classical (harsh) chemical processes. AmphiStar has a flexible and scalable production technology that can convert waste and industrial side streams to a wide range of biosurfactants through fermentation. AmphiStar’s biosurfactants are hence sustainable, local and circular, and moreover, they do not compete with feedstock for food production and are not associated with direct land use for their production.
AmphiStar has the mission to develop, scale up and produce biosurfactants at industrially relevant level by building new local and distributed biosurfactant production facilities at feedstock sites, reducing EU’s dependency on imports. The developed process and products are safe and sustainable by design!
To enlarge our process development team, AmphiStar is looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Formulation and Application Scientist with main expertise in the personal care and home care markets.
Who we are looking for
Are you ready to make an impact in one of the world’s biggest industries? Does climate change concern you and are you excited by biotech and circular economy?
Then the AmphiStar team is looking for you!
Our ideal candidate can identify her/him/themselves in the following qualifications:
- You have a scientific background, preferably a master in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a related field. Having a PhD is a plus.
- Ideally min. 5 years of experience in the fields of home and/or personal care or related market fields with formulation and performance application expertise
- Strong understanding of colloid and surface chemistry principles.
- Proven ability to design, conduct, and analyze experiments.
- You are creative and can think outside the box.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- You are highly independent and take initiative to get work done;
- A collaborative and team-oriented work ethic.
- Passion for sustainability and a desire to make a positive impact
- Small teams bring out your best, and the chance to build something from scratch excites you. You embrace the unknown and see it as a chance to learn and grow.
- You are fluent in English. Dutch is an advantage but not required. Other languages are an asset;
What you will do
As Researcher Formulation and Application you:
- will play a key part in developing innovative formulations and applications with AmphiStars biosurfactant products including the identification of novel applications across various industries, first focus lies on personal care and home care markets.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including research & development, marketing, and sales.
- Evaluate the performance of new formulations through rigorous testing procedures both internal and external.
- Will generate technical data and reports to support the commercialization of new applications, documenting the process, findings, and potential benefits for different industries.
- Will formulate effective and stable products incorporating our biosurfactants, by optimizing the concentration, combining them with other ingredients, and ensuring their long-term stability.
- You can identify patentable findings and collaborate with (external) teams when data has been generated.
- Will interact with AmphiStar’ customers and business partners as scientific and technical support advisor
- Will represent AmphiStar at international scientific conference and Trade Shows
- Will report to the Chief Operations Officer.
What we offer
We offer you the opportunity to join one of the world’s most innovative biosurfactant providers at its headquarters in Ghent, Belgium. With your talent, passion and expertise, you’ll become part of a team that wants to make biosurfactants mainstream and disrupt the surfactant market. Together, we shape the circular bio-economy and biobased industry of tomorrow.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and proud of our open, multicultural, and informal working environment with ample possibilities to take initiative and show responsibility. We commit to supporting and guiding you in this process, not only with words but also with tangible actions.
We are aware that your valuable contribution makes AmphiStar a top player in its field. Your energy and commitment are therefore appreciated by means of a market-compliant remuneration.
How to apply
Excited by what you just read? Apply now via the VIB application tool.
