Job Description

Senior Fermentation Scientist / Process Development Engineer

Location: Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina (Full-time; on-site)

About the Company:

Our client is a venture-backed start-up that is leveraging biotechnology to avert the climate crisis. They’re engineering enzymes and probiotics to eliminate methane emissions from cattle. This team believes that cattle are a key pillar of sustainable agriculture and human nutrition, and eliminating their methane emissions will enable transformative progress in the fight against climate change.

We’re looking for a fermentation scientist who is passionate about animal, human, and planetary health. You must be motivated, comfortable with a fast-paced work environment, team-oriented, and committed to building exceptional products. Your role will be to design and execute processes for yeast fermentation and protein production. You will play a critical role in developing products for more sustainable animal agriculture and a healthier planet.

New and vibrant lab space

Based in vibrant downtown Durham, North Carolina, the company is working out of a brand-new lab space at the center of a fast-growing biotech and startup ecosystem. This role offers the chance to pursue ambitious science in a modern lab while enjoying great food, dynamic culture, and comfortable living in the heart of North Carolina.

Responsibilities

• Lead process development for high yield protein and enzyme production, highly hands-on
• Characterize yeast fermentation performance across well plates, shake flasks, benchtop fermenters, and pilot scale fermenters
• Optimize fermentation media and processes to maximize protein titer, including feed composition, feed profiles, mixing and gas management, and pH control.
• Own setup, maintenance, and operation of bench and pilot bioreactors and associated sensors/instrumentation
• Ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards throughout all stages of the fermentation process, maintaining detailed documentation and records for quality control and regulatory purposes
• Work with scientists and technicians to track and improve protein quality and activity
• Facilitate technology transfer to CMOs

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. with 6+ years of hands-on fermentation and process development experience or 4+ years of relevant experience with a PhD in chemical engineering, biochemical engineering, bioengineering, microbiology, or a relevant field
• Experience in microbial fermentation processes from lab to industrial scale, ideally within the agricultural, food, or pharmaceutical industries
• Deep knowledge of fermentation principles, processes, and equipment
• Comfortable with basic controls and instrumentation necessary for bioreactor maintenance and operation
• Practical knowledge of microbial physiology, with a track record of developing new processes
• A creative, roll up your sleeves, problem solver
• Experience with rapid prototyping, fabrication, and 3D printing is a major plus
• Willingness to learn and contribute to molecular analysis of proteins is a plus
• Comfortable working independently and with a team
• Curiosity, intention, tenacity, team mindset, and accountability to the mission
• Must love cow

Statement from the Company: We offer competitive salary and equity options, and benefits include health, vision, dental, life insurance, and a 401(k) plan. We value diversity in thought from people with all types of experiences, ethnicities, talents, ages, and ideas, and we encourage candidates from minority and disadvantaged groups to apply.

Berkner Group has been retained to execute this search. If you were contacted by Berkner Group, please reply to the person who contacted you. If you are applying to a job posting, please email your resume and a brief introduction to careers@berknergroup.com. Please include your name and the title for this position (“[Your Name] - Senior Fermentation Scientist / Process Development Engineer - 63RY48RW”) in the subject line of your email. We look forward to hearing from you!

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