Head of Formulation

 

Description:

Head of Formulation – Microbial Biocontrol & Biological Inputs

Location: Swansea, UK

Contract: Full-time, permanent, on-site

Level: Senior leadership, hands-on technical role

Start date: January 2026

Eligibility: Must have the right to work in the UK

 

ABOUT BIONEMA

Bionema Group is a UK-based innovator in biological crop protection and plant health. We develop and commercialise microbial biopesticides, biostimulants, biofertilisers, biosurfactants, nematode-based products, and patented microencapsulation technologies that reduce reliance on synthetic pesticides and fertilisers.

 

Our work focuses on turning credible biology into products that perform reliably under real farming conditions. We collaborate with academic, commercial, and international partners and have been recognised with the King’s Award for Innovation.

We are now seeking an experienced formulation leader to take full ownership of Bionema’s formulation capability and shape the next generation of biological products.

THE ROLE

This is a senior, hands-on leadership role for an expert in microbial and biological formulation. You will lead Bionema’s Formulation Department, operate the formulation laboratory with a high degree of autonomy, and drive formulation strategy across our R&D and commercial pipelines.

You will be responsible for developing robust, stable, and scalable formulations for biological products derived from fungi, bacteria, natural products, and microbial consortia, to support regulatory readiness, manufacturing scale-up, and field performance.

This role suits someone who wants absolute ownership, technical authority, and long-term influence over a growing portfolio of biological products.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Formulation Leadership

• Lead Bionema’s Formulation Department and manage the formulation laboratory independently.
• Design, optimise, and stabilise formulations for microbial and natural-product biologicals.
• Develop and refine formulations including SC, WP, WDG, OD, GR, prills, and microencapsulation systems.

 

Technical Development and Testing

• Improve shelf life, stability, UV tolerance, and field persistence of biological products.
• Conduct viability, dispersibility, flowability, tank-mix compatibility, and rainfastness testing.
• Carry out analytical testing, including HPLC and LC-MS, where required.
• Support laboratory, greenhouse, and field trials with fit-for-purpose formulations.

 

Scale-up and Manufacturing

• Translate laboratory formulations into pilot and commercial-scale processes.
• Prepare batch records, SOPs, and process optimisation documentation.
• Support technology transfer and troubleshooting with external manufacturing partners.

 

Regulatory and Documentation

• Prepare formulation-related technical sections for UK and EU regulatory dossiers.
• Ensure full compliance with quality, traceability, and documentation requirements.

 

Team and Project Leadership

• Lead formulation strategy across multiple funded and commercial projects.
• Work closely with microbiology, agronomy, regulatory, and commercial teams.
• Mentor and develop junior scientists and technicians as the team grows.

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ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• PhD in formulation science, chemistry, microbiology, biochemistry, agricultural science, or a closely related discipline.
• 5–10 years of industrial experience in biopesticide, biological, or agrochemical formulation.
• Demonstrated expertise in SC, WP, WDG, OD, granules, prills, and encapsulated systems.
• Strong experience stabilising microbial actives, including fungi, bacteria, spores, and consortia.
• Proven ability to work independently and take full ownership of technical outcomes.
• Excellent documentation, data interpretation, and analytical method development skills.
• Strong communication and leadership capability. This is a leadership role, not a support position.