How to apply for Co-founder in Residence, Next generation insecticides and pest control

About Deep Science Ventures

Deep Science Ventures creates and spins out science companies in pharmaceuticals, climate, agriculture, and computation. It is partnering with the Grantham Foundation to accelerate non-toxic alternatives to pesticides. The venture you would build focuses on species-targeted pest control without off-target ecological or human health impacts.

About the role

You would co-found a new company with DSV to scale next-generation insecticides and pest control. The role is full-time and remote until incorporation and spin-out, expected around the end of Q1 2027. You would work on eliminating off-target toxicity from agrochemicals.

A typical day

You would spend time talking to scientists, reviewing research on pest control, and planning the venture's path to spin-out. You might also work on fundraising, partnership development, and defining the company's strategy. Since the role is remote initially, most interactions would be virtual until incorporation.

Who Deep Science Ventures is looking for

• Experienced entrepreneur with a track record of founding or scaling ventures, ideally in agriculture, biotech, or chemicals.
• Deep understanding of agrochemicals, pest control, or insecticide development, including regulatory and toxicity issues.
• Able to work remotely and independently, and willing to relocate after spin-out (location TBD).
• Comfortable with a first-principles approach and collaborating with scientists to turn research into a company.

Tips for this application

• Read the Grantham Foundation report 'The Invisible Tsunami' before applying, and reference it in your application.
• Explain your entrepreneurial experience in detail, including specific ventures you founded or scaled and your role.
• Show you understand the difference between broad-spectrum and species-targeted pest control, and why off-target toxicity matters.
• Address your ability to work remotely until spin-out and your flexibility on location after incorporation.
• Connect your background to DSV's venture creation model, where founders work with scientists to spin out companies.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your experience as an entrepreneur, with concrete examples of building or growing a company.', 'Your knowledge of agrochemicals, insecticides, or pest control, and the problem of off-target toxicity.', 'Why you want to build a venture with DSV and the Grantham Foundation specifically, not just any startup.', 'Your understanding of the spin-out timeline (circa end of Q1 2027) and remote work until then.']

Research before applying

• Read DSV's website, especially the sections on agriculture and their venture creation model.
• Find and read the Grantham Foundation report 'The Invisible Tsunami' to understand the problem and the partnership.
• Look up DSV's existing portfolio companies in agriculture or climate to see what they have spun out before.
• Research the current state of next-generation insecticides and pest control, including species-targeted approaches.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you approach species-targeted pest control without off-target ecological or human health impacts?
• Describe a venture you founded or scaled. What was your role and what did you learn?
• What do you know about DSV's venture creation process and how it differs from traditional incubators?
• How would you work with scientists to turn research into a commercial product?
• What are the main regulatory and market barriers for next-generation insecticides, and how would you address them?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying without reading the 'The Invisible Tsunami' report or understanding the Grantham Foundation partnership.
• Focusing only on your scientific knowledge and ignoring your entrepreneurial experience, which is explicitly required.
• Assuming the role is permanent remote; the post says remote initially until spin-out, with location TBD after.