Contract Fermentation Scientist

Planet Pharma; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Planet Pharma seeks an experienced Fermentation Scientist to support development and scale-up of a proprietary DNA manufacturing platform, focusing on E. coli fermentation and bioreactor operations to improve yield and transferability.

You will design and execute bench-to-pilot processes, analyze data, and generate clear documentation. Collaborate across biology, analytics, and process development to enable GLP studies and potential technology transfer with external partners.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field.
• Significant hands-on experience with bacterial fermentation and bioreactors.
• Strong experimental design and data analysis skills.
• Excellent communication and technical writing skills.
• Comfortable working in a cross-functional environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and optimize E. coli fermentation processes at bench and pilot scales.
• Drive process improvements to increase yield, consistency, and scalability.
• Develop clear experimental plans; analyze and interpret data; generate thorough technical documentation and reports.
• Generate documentation to support downstream GLP studies and potential technology transfer to external partners.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams across biology, analytics, and process development.

Skills

Bacterial fermentation

Bioreactor operations

Experimental design

Data analysis

Technical writing

Education

PhD in a relevant field

Job description

We're seeking an experienced Fermentation Scientist to support development and scale-up of a novel, proprietary DNA manufacturing platform. The role centers on E. coli fermentation and bioreactor operations, with an emphasis on yield improvement and process transferability.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and optimize E. coli fermentation processes at bench and pilot scales.
• Drive process improvements to increase yield, consistency, and scalability.
• Develop clear experimental plans; analyze and interpret data; generate thorough technical documentation and reports.
• Generate documentation to support downstream GLP studies and potential technology transfer to external partners.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams across biology, analytics, and process development.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field.
• Significant hands‑on experience with bacterial fermentation and bioreactors
• Strong experimental design and data analysis skills.
• Excellent communication and technical writing skills.
• Comfortable working in a cross‑functional environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience scaling processes from bench to pilot or manufacturing scale.
• Molecular cloning and construct design experience is a plus.
• Optional Qualifications Experience generating documentation for GLP studies or related activities.
• Experience with technology transfer to CDMOs.