Group Lead Scientist

Group Lead Scientist

We are a team of passionate individuals from 15 countries developing the world's first biosecurity platform built to combat critical pest threats to human health, food security and the environment. Flyttr has become the trusted partner of governments, industries, philanthropies and communities seeking to make bold advancements on the biggest pest threats of our time. We work with urgency because lives and livelihoods depend on it. Successful candidates will find Flyttr to be an exhilarating place to do their best work and will find that every person at Flyttr plays a critical role in a dynamic, exciting, team-oriented culture.

Role Overview

We're seeking a Group Lead Scientist to join our team developing biological technologies that sustainably and safely control disease-transmitting and crop/livestock-damaging insects.

Based in San Antonio, US, you'll act as key technical expert and scientific lead, working closely with the UK team to align project goals and deliverables across sites. You'll apply deep molecular and entomological expertise to design and execute experimental strategies; establishing insect colonies, generating transgenic strains, and developing robust protocols that drive measurable progress. You'll own experimental outcomes end-to-end: managing multiple workstreams, interpreting data, and communicating findings to US and UK stakeholders.

As line manager, you'll be responsible for the performance, development, and wellbeing of your direct reports; setting clear objectives, providing regular feedback and coaching, and building technical capability within the team. You'll balance this people leadership with hands-on scientific work, modelling good laboratory practice and fostering a culture of rigour, accountability, and collaboration. You'll also oversee day-to-day lab operations, including supporting health and safety/biosafety compliance, ensuring the team has the resources, training, and support needed to operate safely and effectively.

You will combine a hands-on approach with scientific leadership, contributing to method development and continuous improvement while supporting and managing team members. The ability to work independently while fostering a strong team ethos, adhering to SOPs, and promoting good laboratory practices is essential. Excellent communication skills, particularly in a transatlantic team environment, and enthusiasm for the Flyttr mission are critical for success in this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage molecular and entomology trained teams to generate genetically engineered strains and assess them against target product profile metrics;
• Collaborate with the insect rearing team to establish scalable rearing methods;
• Design and run experiments independently, but in full alignment with program goals and with the endorsement of the US and UK Scientific team;
• Ensure the accurate recording of data, activities and processes within laboratory books or other applicable records;
• Contribute to data analysis and interpretation, report data in meetings throughout the organisation, to audiences with various technical knowledge, and write clear and concise reports for internal review;
• Provide clear communication regarding outcomes of processes, experiments, and planning with the UK Group Lead;
• Interact clearly and persuasively with a very high standard of English to contribute to grant/regulatory report writing and to work closely with project leads, providing support with resourcing, planning and budgeting exercises.
• Contribute to building a cohesive team by fostering strong relationships across the US and UK and maintaining a positive, collaborative team culture;
• Manage a team including senior and junior scientists and technicians;
• Ensure the smooth running of the laboratory, maintaining tidiness, improving processes and supporting the team's compliance to established procedures, regulations and health and safety;
• Follow and maintain up to date health and safety records and write and update SOPs, COSHH and risk assessments;
• Manage and train any direct report in line with SOPs and training records;
• Provide occasional weekend support as part of a rota within the team.

Qualifications & Experience

• A bachelor's (Bachelor of Science) or master's degree (Master of Science) in a relevant field (e.g., entomology, biology, biochemistry) is required;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential;
• Experience of managing direct reports is essential;
• Demonstrate technical abilities appropriate for the role;
• Competency in MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint required;
• Track record of scientific diligence including valuing careful generation and recording of data, demonstrating good laboratory practices, including following SOPs;
• Based in the US and must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Experience in animal husbandry and/or maintaining insect colonies is desirable;
• Expertise in insect or arthropod transformation is highly desirable;
• Proficiency in R/R Studio and experience in using statistics is highly desirable.

Behavioral Requirements

• Commitment to, and passion for, the Flyttr mission and values.
• Responsive to the needs of an international business working across different time zones, adapting working patterns in-line with business requirements.
• Positive, humble, cooperative and professional, always.
• Works with urgency and solves things promptly.
• Resilient and persistent in an innovative and constantly changing environment.
• Proactive, resourceful, and comfortable building processes from scratch.
• Values collaboration and works effectively with global colleagues.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to age, disability, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, medical condition, gender reassignment, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.