Seeking Organic Synthesis Specialists with a strong track record in Industry

OVERVIEW

CJ BIO, a global biotechnology company and the Seeker for this Wazoku Crowd Challenge, is seeking applications from organic synthesis specialists with a strong track record in industry.

We invite candidates from industry with expertise in synthetic organic chemistry, who have transitioned from academia to industry, now with a track record gained as an industrial chemist, working in areas such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and materials, producing organic compounds and optimizing the manufacturing processes for new needs and markets.

This is a Scouting Challenge for Market Expertise seeking a Solver to provide expertise to help and advise in solving CJ BIO’s business challenge; the Solver is invited to submit a written proposal to be evaluated by CJ BIO with the goal of establishing a collaborative partnership.

Up to 3 Solvers will be selected and each paid a $1,000 Fee to attend a private 90-minute Teams Call with CJ BIO during June 2025, to further explore your experience and credentials for further collaboration.

If selected for the Teams Call, Solvers need to be prepared and ready during the meeting to discuss the initial solution pathway(s) they would plan to explore with CJ BIO, and their reasoning why these could be more cost effective than existing routes.

WIN Scouts are very much invited to participate, this being any Solver who can scout a suitable specialist from your network. As a WIN Scout, by referring someone with relevant  expertise, the referred party will need to apply, and you will be recognized with $500 if your referral is selected for the top 3 engagement. To refer, follow the submission process described below.

Please review the Participation Guidance section below before submitting your application proposal.

Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 28th April, 2025.

- Login or register to begin your application!

ABOUT THE SEEKER & ELIGIBILITY

CJ BIO is a global biotechnology company, at the forefront of microbial fermentation.

We leverage our expertise to develop high-value materials across diverse fields, including biopharmaceuticals, food, bioplastics, and chemicals.

We continue to pioneer a future where we make groundbreaking progress in health, sustainability, and technology based on biotechnology.

For this Challenge, Wazoku welcomes WIN Scouts to take part and for their referred specialists to become active members of the Wazoku Innovation Networks(WIN).

Find out more about participation in Wazoku Crowd Challenges.

THE CHALLENGE

In December 2024, the Wazoku Crowd Challenge Exploring new applications derived from Homoserine Lactone reaction compounds, was launched by Wazoku on behalf of CJ BIO. The Challenge sought innovative pathways to broaden the current product offerings of CJ BIO derived from L-Homoserine-lactone (HSL) or L-Homoserine(HS); an exploration of new, efficient synthesis routes within 1 to 6 steps, for creating substances with viable applications across new markets for CJ BIO.

Naturally the business feasibility is of key importance for CJ BIO in relation to these potential applications, this being dependent on the costs or efficiency of deriving the proposed solution from HSL (or HS). In the event the proposed applications can already be met more cost effectively without the need for them to be derived from HSL (or HS), thereby negating the cost benefit of a pathway derived from HSL (or HS), the proposition would not be viable for CJ BIO. 

Hence CJ BIO is looking to the Wazoku Crowd for specialists with deep expertise in synthetic organic chemistry, who have transitioned from academia to industry, now with a strong track record gained in industrial chemistry, working in areas such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and materials, producing organic compounds and optimizing the manufacturing processes.

CJ BIO is seeking specialists who can collaborate with them to identify and propose efficient and/or optimized synthesis routes derived from HSL that have the scope to be feasible for the business.  This also includes estimating synthetic pathways for HS/HSL-derived substances that CJ BIO is already aware of; specific compound information will be provided after Solver selection.

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

The ideal applicant will be:

1. Qualified – with expertise displayed through detailed descriptions of your previous and recent application of the relevant specialist skills in industrial settings and processes.
2. Interested – confirm your ability and desire to collaborate with CJ BIO during 2025.

It is required that the ideal applicants describe and reference their in-depth skills as an industrial chemist in relation to:

• Identifying and directing the production of synthetic organic compounds and optimizing their manufacturing processes
• Being extremely competent at determining their cost and benefit viability for potential applications vs. this proposed application already be met more cost effectively derived from other substances

Please Note Solvers selected for the Teams Call will need to be prepared and ready during the call to discuss the initial solution pathway(s) they would plan to explore with CJ BIO, and their reasoning why these could be more cost effective than existing routes.

YOUR SUBMISSION

Please login and register your interest, to complete the submission form.

Your submitted proposals must be written in English and should include:

1. General Information
   1. First and Last Name
   2. Email – your preferred point of email contact for follow-up
   3. Organization/Company/University Name (if applicable)
2. Collaboration Proposal
   1. Detailed Description – Please describe your specialist skills in relation to the stated Applicant Requirements above.
   2. Highlight in detail your relevant industry track record - where and for how long you have applied these skills in industry or commercial applications.
   3. Confirm your ability to collaborate with CJ BIO during 2025.
3. Attachments – Please submit your CV/resume and/or other references, to present your background, specialist skills, and accomplishments in relation to this subject matter.

PARTICIPATION GUIDANCE

1. Submission Close Date: Applications to the Challenge must be received by 28^th April, 2025.
2. Late submissions: Late submissions will not be considered.
3. Submission form and attachments: Your submission will be evaluated with a review of your information in the submission form and attachments of CV/resume.
4. Evaluation notification steps: After the Challenge submission close date, Wazoku and CJ BIO will complete the review process and inform all participants about the intention or otherwise to invite you to a Teams Call, according to the timeline in the Challenge header.
5. Use of AI: While Wazoku encourages the use by Solvers of AI approaches to help develop their submissions to Challenges, this specific opportunity is about you, your skills, and your experience. Any submissions to this Challenge produced with generative AI are not of interest.
6. Learn more: Find out more about participation in Wazoku Crowd Challenges.