Contract Fermentation Scientist

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

Job summary

Planet Pharma is seeking a PhD-level fermentation scientist to design, execute, and optimize E. coli fermentation processes from benchtop to pilot scale. You will drive improvements to yield and scalability, and prepare clear experimental plans and reports for potential technology transfer to external partners.

The role requires strong data analysis and writing skills, with demonstrated ability to work across biology, analytics, and process development teams in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 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

Hands-on fermentation

Experimental design

Data analysis

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

PhD in a relevant field

Job description

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.