Fermentation scientist

The Protein Brewery; Breda; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Protein Brewery, a Dutch food technology company based in Breda, seeks a Fermentation Scientist to help scale up fermentation capacity. You will execute projects to improve yield, robustness and quality, conducting lab and pilot plant experiments and analyzing data to propose improvements for the full-scale process.

Join a small, hands-on team and contribute to implementing factory-scale changes while collaborating with operations and engineering.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in biotechnology or related field.
• R&D fermentation experience required.
• Experience implementing process improvements in a factory.
• Hands-on lab, pilot plant and office work experience.
• Fluent in Dutch and English, both written and spoken.

Responsibilities

• Execute research projects to improve fermentation yield, process robustness and output of our fermentation process.
• Set-up and conduct lab and pilot plant experiments to investigate and determine routes to improve productivity and quality.
• Deliver factory scale implementation of improvements in close collaboration with Operations team
• Manage experimental data and conduct data analysis on current and previous experiments to drive conclusions and create new hypotheses for new research.
• Work closely with other R&D team members, operations and engineering
• Provide design input into specifications and requirements for new fermentation equipment
• Ensure compliance with safety requirements.

Skills

R&D experience in fermentation

Hands-on mentality

Data analysis

Proactive attitude

Dutch & English fluency

Education

Master's degree in biotechnology, Life Science & Technology or Chemical Engineering

Tools

Lab & pilot plant experience

Job description

In July 2026, FERMOTEIN® became the first whole-food mycelium ingredient authorised under the EU Novel Food Regulation. Proving the science took six years. Producing it reliably, efficiently and at industrial scale is the part still being figured out, and it is the part you would work on.

Who we are

The Protein Brewery is a Dutch food technology company based in Breda. We produce FERMOTEIN®, a whole-food mycelium ingredient made through biomass fermentation, delivering complete protein, fibre and a range of micronutrients from a single, minimally processed source. It goes into active nutrition, better-for-you bakery, snacks and dairy alternatives. Founded in 2020, we operate an FSSC 22000 certified production facility with two 85,000L fermenters and have raised more than €70 million to scale it. Our team of around 45 people is growing. We are a mission-driven organisation, which for us means the purpose of the company, the teams and the individuals in them point the same way. Four values describe how we work.

SHARING the same purpose. Working as one team towards a lasting positive impact, while having fun doing it.
DARING to do what no one did before and encouraging whoever dares to do the same. We keep the environment pragmatic enough that people can actually innovate in it, which is what keeps us fast.
TRUSTING each other’s capacities, intentions and sense of responsibility. That trust is what makes real ownership possible.
CARING for each other and for the place we work. Supporting each other professionally and personally, and valuing every team member as the person they are, regardless of background, capability or status.

Who are we looking for?

The Protein Brewery develops completely new, highly nutritious food ingredients based on fermentation. We are scaling up our fermentation capacity in the coming years, and continue to improve our process based on deeper understanding.

We are looking for a Fermentation Scientist who wants to play an active role in this growth. A background in fermentation is required.

In this role, you will execute various projects to improve overall yield and efficiency of our process and quality of the final product resulting from our process. You will conduct experiments in our lab and pilot plant, analyze data and formulate proposed improvements for our full scale plant. You will also be involved in the successful implementation of the changes in the full scale process.

What are your responsibilities and scope in this role?

Execute research projects to improve fermentation yield, process robustness and output of our fermentation process.

Set-up and conduct lab and pilot plant experiments to investigate and determine various routes to improve productivity and quality of the fermentation process.

Deliver factory scale implementation of improvements in close collaboration with Operations team

Manage experimental data and conduct data analysis on current and previous experiments to drive conclusions and create new hypotheses for new research.

Work closely with other R&D team members, operations and engineering

Provide design input into specifications and requirements for new fermentation equipment.

Ensure compliance with safety requirements.

You are a good match with us if you have:

Master's degree in biotechnology, Life Science & Technology or Chemical Engineering

R&D experience in fermentation (aerobic / fungal or continuous fermentation experience is a plus)

Preferably experience with implementing process improvements in the factory

Hands on mentality, working in the lab, pilot plant and behind the desk

Pragmatic approach, able to translate R&D findings fast into implementable solutions

Experience with data management and using large datasets to find direction for improvements and new R&D projects

A proactive attitude and able to initiate and implement improvements independently.

Relevant language skills, being fluent, written and spoken, in Dutch and English

What we offer

A dynamic, enthusiastic and rapidly growing work environment, as we scale our fermentation capacity and further improve the output of our process.

Autonomy and flexibility in your work and work hours.

Being part of a small team of professionals with a strong can do mentality.

At The Protein Brewery we are committed to equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. We truly believe in the strength that comes with diversity in teams.