Director of Spirulina Cultivation & Extraction

Rylaq is an early-stage startup specializing in premium mushroom and micro-algae nutraceuticals. We’re launching a closed-system Spirulina platform—from photobioreactor cultivation through downstream extraction—to deliver high-purity powders, phycocyanin pigments, functional blends, and finished formats for human and pet wellness.

• Technical Leadership:

• Design, commission, and optimize Spirulina photobioreactors (500 L–5 m³) for sterile, high-density growth.
• Develop scale-up protocols: inoculum preparation, medium formulation, light/temperature control, pH/CO₂ management, mixing strategies.

• Downstream Process Development:

• Architect and validate harvesting (flocculation, filtration, centrifugation), drying (spray/tray/freeze), and extraction (aqueous, solvent, membrane) workflows.
• Establish SOPs for phycocyanin purification, concentration, stabilization, and GMP-grade quality release.

• Equipment Sourcing & Vendor Management:

• Identify and qualify domestic/international suppliers of PBRs, dryers, centrifuges, filters, and control systems.
• Lead procurement, installation (FAT/SAT), commissioning, and vendor negotiations to meet project timelines and budgets.

• Regulatory & Quality Compliance:

• Ensure facility and processes comply with FSSAI, GMP/ISO 22000, and (where applicable) FDA/EU Novel Foods standards.
• Implement HACCP, microbial testing, and batch-release quality controls.

• Team Building & Stakeholder Collaboration:

• Recruit, mentor, and manage a cross-functional team of process engineers, lab technicians, and operators.
• Partner with R&D, formulation, and commercial teams to translate bench-scale innovation into scalable, market-ready products.

• Education:

  M.Tech/Ph.D. in Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering, Microbiology, or related field.

• Experience:

• ≥ 10 years in micro-algae or fermentation biotech, with ≥ 5 years leading Spirulina photobioreactor operations.
• Proven track record in downstream processing (flocculation, centrifugation, filtration, drying, pigment extraction).

• Technical Skills:

• Photobioreactor design & automation (pH/DO/Temp).
• Upstream scale-up strategies and mass/energy balance modeling.
• Downstream unit operations and PAT tools.

• Vendor & Project Management:

• Experience sourcing and qualifying OEM equipment, managing CAPEX budgets, and leading cross-functional vendor relationships.

• Regulatory Knowledge:

• Hands-on familiarity with FSSAI/GMP/ISO dietary-supplement regulations; export standards a plus.

• Soft Skills:

• Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and communication skills.
• Results-driven, with exceptional problem-solving ability.

• Compensation:

  Equity stake in Rylaq (based on milestones)

• Perks:

• Lead design of Rylaq’s first commercial Spirulina platform
• Flexible work model and direct influence on product direction
• Opportunity to build and mentor a high-impact technical team