Principal Machine Learning Scientist - Computational Microbiology

Interested in a career that matters?

Principal Machine Learning Scientist, Computational Microbiology

Interested in a career that matters?

Many of the most important properties of dairy fermentation starter cultures arise from complex, interdependent biological processes that are difficult to disentangle. Microbial metabolism, growth dynamics, and interactions with the food matrix jointly shaped key phenotypes yet the underlying biological drivers are often only partially understood.

At Novonesis, we are expanding our efforts to move toward a more mechanistic, biology-first understanding of these phenotypes, enabling us to better develop strains and cultures for dairy fermentations. We are now looking for a Principal Machine Learning Scientist to take a leading role in shaping how advanced analytics, AI, and biological knowledge come together across R&D.

You will join Computational Microbiology, a multidisciplinary department within R&D, working closely with microbiologists, application scientists, and product teams to translate complex biological data into actionable insights with real-world impact.

The Role & Your Impact

As a Principal Machine Learning Scientist in Computational Microbiology, you will play a strategic role in advancing how AI and machine learning are applied to understand and improve dairy fermentation cultures. Your focus will be on causal reasoning, explainability, and mechanistic insight — not just prediction.

In this role, you will:

· Develop and apply advanced AI and machine-learning methods to disentangle cause-effect relationships in omics, fermentation, and rheological data

· Build and curate a knowledge graph integrating heterogeneous data sources such as strain genomics, fermentation process data, biochemical measurements, and prior scientific knowledge

· Translate biological questions into structured, explainable models that generate testable hypotheses and guide experimental prioritization

· Work closely with microbiologists and application scientists to ensure analyses are biologically grounded, interpretable, and practically useful

· Act as a senior scientific authority, helping define standards, methods, and ways of working that strengthen how data and biology are connected across product development

What You’ll Need to Be Successful

To succeed in this role, you must have:

· A PhD in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or a related field, with 7+ years of post-PhD experience applying advanced analytical methods in complex, real-world settings

· Deep, hands-on expertise with advanced statistical and machine-learning methods

· Demonstrated experience working with heterogeneous, noisy, and low-throughput biological or experimental data, where mechanistic understanding and explainability are critical

· Strong programming skills (e.g. Python), with the ability to design, validate, and implement robust analytical frameworks — not just individual analyses

· Proven ability to independently define scientific strategies for applying AI and machine learning to complex biological questions and to drive these strategies through to tangible impact

Additional Skills & Interests We Value

You are likely someone who:

· Is curious about biological systems and motivated by understanding why things happen, not just predicting outcomes

· Enjoys working in cross-disciplinary teams and translating between biology and data science, influencing experimental design rather than working downstream of it

· Communicates complex reasoning clearly and confidently to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, and can explain limitations as well as scientific choices

Relevant information

Application deadline: April 29th, 2026

Contact: Kristian Jensen, Head of Computational Microbiology 📧 krje+computational@novonesis.com

Our purpose guides the way

In Novonesis, we know that solutions rooted in biology can help solve humanity’s biggest challenges. Since we began more than a century ago, this has been our guide. It’s how we've gotten so far. And it’s how we'll impact the future. Now, more than ever, the world needs change. And with biosolutions, the possibilities for transformation are endless. If our purpose resonates with you, we encourage you to apply.

Opportunities for everyone

We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and equal opportunity for all applicants. Therefore we ask you to apply without a cover letter or photo and instead include a few sentences in your CV explaining your motivation for applying.

We make all employment decisions based on business needs and welcome candidates with a wide range of backgrounds, including ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status.

Explore other openings

If this position isn’t the right fit, you may still find other opportunities with us. You’re welcome to explore open roles or create a job agent to stay connected with future opportunities at novonesis.com/Career