Senior Scientist - Fermentation

Mycofeast; Leżajsk; On-site; PLN 211,000 - 297,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering biotechnology firm in Poland is seeking an ambitious fermentation scientist to develop and scale fermentation processes for microorganisms. The role involves collaboration with R&D and production teams, focusing on safety and cost-effectiveness, and requires a PhD and relevant experience. Competitive salary and career development opportunities are offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible working conditions

Access to modern laboratories

Career development opportunities

Collaboration with international scientists

Qualifications

• 3–7 years of postdoctoral experience in biotechnology or biofermentation.
• Experience with wild strains and GMOs.
• Ability to manage a small research team.

Responsibilities

• Develop scalable, safe, and cost-effective fermentation processes.
• Demonstrate fermentation processes' performance at pilot scale.
• Collaborate with production team to meet performance targets.

Skills

Microbial cultivation expertise

Process optimization

Leadership skills

Hands-on approach

Fluent English

Good command of Polish

Education

PhD in chemical engineering, biochemistry, or related fields

Job description

Mycofeast is transforming a former brewery in southern Poland into the largest biofermentation facility (16,000 m3 total capacity) in Europe – to produce high-quality alternative proteins, lipids, and functional fermented beverages, to shape the future of sustainable food production.

We are looking for an ambitious fermentation scientist to join our R&D team and develop, document and scale fermentation processes for a variety of microorganisms, particularly yeast, algae, and fungi. You will collaborate with cutting-edge strain development teams to create new strains and the fermentation operations team to ensure safe, cost-effective production of food products.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop scalable, safe, cost-effective fermentation processes at lab scale with both wild type and GMO organisms.
• Demonstrate the performance of fermentation processes at pilot scale (60-600L) and provide a tech transfer package to the commercial fermentation team.
• Collaborate with production team to ensure fermentation process meets performance targets.
• Lead and manage a small research team (1–3 people) and laboratory in a hands-on environment.
• Collaborate with internal strain development teams in the US and external partners worldwide.
• Our expectations: PhD in chemical engineering, biochemistry, or related fields. 3–7 years of postdoctoral experience in an industrial environment (e.g., biotechnology, biofermentation, protein production, functional foods).

Experience in

• Demonstrated expertise in microbial cultivation (wild strains and GMOs), strain and process optimization, working with fermenters, and scaling up processes from laboratory to pilot scale.
• Expertise in microbial physiology a plus.
• Ability to manage a small research team and work in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Practical approach, independence, and willingness to work experimentally (hands‑on scientist).
• Very good command of English.
• Good command of Polish is an advantage.
• Experience working in a start‑up or scale‑up company in the food‑tech/biotech sector is welcome.

What we offer

• The opportunity to co‑create breakthrough technology in a company at the forefront of European food biotechnology.
• Access to modern laboratories and fermentation infrastructure (the largest production capacity for fermented non‑alcoholic beverages in Europe – 2 million hl).
• Work in a multidisciplinary, international team of renowned scientists from the UK, Poland, and the USA.
• A real impact on the direction of research, product development, and the company’s scientific strategy.
• Competitive salary and flexible working conditions.
• The chance to participate in building a modern R&D center and career development in a rapidly growing scale‑up.
• We collaborate with scientists from leading universities and corporate partners worldwide, developing strains of fungi, yeast, and algae, as well as optimizing fermentation processes.

📩 Please send applications to: [e-mail]