Application Guide

How to Apply for Chief of Staff to the CTO

at Genomines

🏢 About Genomines

Genomines pioneers sustainable agromining, using plants to extract nickel from soil while decontaminating land for agriculture. This innovative approach combines biotechnology, environmental science, and industrial scaling to address metal scarcity and soil pollution. Working here means contributing to a circular economy solution that transforms contaminated lands into productive agricultural sites.

About This Role

As Chief of Staff to the CTO, you'll serve as the operational right hand, ensuring the CTO's strategic vision for nickel extraction technology, pilot operations, and regulatory approvals is executed efficiently. You'll track complex interdependencies between technical development, regulatory workstreams (especially GMO/microbiology authorizations), and intellectual property strategy. This role directly impacts Genomines' ability to scale its sustainable agromining technology from pilot to commercial operations.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might begin reviewing regulatory submission timelines for microbiology authorizations, then meeting with the technical team to update project dashboards tracking nickel extraction efficiency metrics. In the afternoon, you'd prepare briefing materials for the CTO's investor meetings, synthesizing technical progress with budget forecasts, before coordinating with IP counsel on patent strategy inputs for new plant varieties.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Genomines Is Looking For

  • Holds a Master's or PhD in biotechnology, environmental engineering, or related field with demonstrated ability to bridge technical depth and business strategy
  • Has 5-8 years in deeptech/biotech environments with experience managing regulatory processes (especially GMO approvals in EU/France)
  • Demonstrates exceptional project management skills with experience structuring techno-economic models for industrial scaling
  • Possesses startup/venture-backed experience where they've supported C-suite executives in fast-paced, resource-constrained environments

📝 Tips for Applying to Genomines

1

Quantify your experience with regulatory workstreams—specifically mention any GMO, microbiology, or environmental authorization processes you've managed in EU contexts

2

Highlight specific examples where you've structured techno-economic drivers for industrial technology scale-up, preferably in biotech or sustainable tech

3

Demonstrate your ability to create executive-level dashboards and reports by including a brief portfolio sample or describing specific metrics you've tracked for technical leaders

4

Connect your scientific/engineering background directly to Genomines' agromining technology—show you understand plant-metal interactions or soil remediation science

5

Emphasize experience in venture-backed startups where you've managed competing priorities with limited resources, as Genomines is scaling its operations

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience managing regulatory approvals in biotechnology/environmental sectors, particularly within French/EU frameworks', "Examples of how you've structured and tracked techno-economic drivers for technology scale-up in industrial or biotech contexts", "Your ability to act as a 'structured extension' of a technical leader—provide concrete examples of initiatives you executed on behalf of a CTO or similar executive", 'Why sustainable agromining specifically appeals to you, demonstrating knowledge of nickel extraction challenges or soil decontamination technologies']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Genomines' specific agromining technology—research hyperaccumulator plants and their nickel extraction mechanisms
  • → EU and French regulatory frameworks for GMO organisms and environmental authorizations for biotechnology operations
  • → The nickel market and its sustainability challenges—understand why plant-based extraction is innovative
  • → Genomines' leadership team background and any published research or patents related to their technology

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through how you would structure the tracking of GMO authorization workstreams across multiple European jurisdictions
2 Describe a time you had to prioritize competing technical initiatives for a CTO—how did you assess dependencies and risks?
3 How would you design a dashboard to track both technical milestones and economic drivers for a pilot-to-scale transition?
4 What experience do you have with intellectual property strategy in biotechnology, particularly regarding plant-based technologies?
5 How would you support the CTO in balancing immediate pilot operation needs with longer-term R&D for nickel extraction optimization?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with purely corporate or non-technical project management experience without demonstrating understanding of biotech/deeptech environments
  • Generic cover letters that don't address the specific regulatory (GMO/microbiology) or techno-economic tracking aspects of this role
  • Failing to connect your scientific/engineering background to the practical challenges of scaling sustainable agromining technology

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

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Good luck with your application to Genomines!

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