Expert Pharma Fermentation Biochemist

Cogent Scientific; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision insurance

401(k)

Parental leave

PTO and paid holidays

Relocation benefits

Job summary

Cogent Scientific is hiring an Expert Pharma Fermentation Biochemist to design and optimize E. coli fermentation processes from shake flask to pilot‑scale bioreactors.

You will drive yield improvements, define process parameters, and ensure scale‑up readiness while collaborating with cross‑functional teams. The ideal candidate holds a PhD in a related field and has hands‑on fermentation experience in instrumented bioreactors, plus strong communication skills and attention to detail.

Qualifications

• PhD in chemical engineering, biochemical engineering, biotechnology, microbiology, molecular biology, or a related field.
• 1+ years of hands‑on experience developing and operating bacterial fermentation processes in instrumented, controlled bioreactors.
• Demonstrated experience independently designing, executing, and analyzing fermentation experiments at ≥2 L scale.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Leadership and communication skills for fast-paced multidisciplinary environments.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and optimize E. coli fermentation processes from shake flask through bench-scale and pilot-scale bioreactors, hands-on.
• Drive improvements in yield and consistency via optimization of host strain, media, feed, and process controls.
• Use design of experiments to define design space and critical parameters.
• Establish scale-independent criteria to ensure bench-scale performance translates to pilot scale.
• Develop pre-specified plans, analyze data, and present conclusions to cross-functional teams.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Attention to detail

Problem-solving

Learning agility

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in chemical engineering or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Cogent Scientific, an insourced contract research organization, is looking for the right people to accomplish our Mission: to support the life sciences industry by cultivating and empowering exceptional scientists to deliver specialized laboratory services that advance research, foster collaboration, and accelerate innovation through quality and a shared commitment to excellence. We can offer you the chance to build on your skills and knowledge while working among experts in their fields and with cutting‑edge instrumentation.

Cogent Scientific offers competitive pay, attractive benefits (such as medical/dental/vision insurance; 401(k); parental leave; PTO and paid holidays; etc.) and an exciting work environment. This position may include relocation benefits as well. We aim to recruit the best people who stand out among their peers and embody our Core Values:

• Client Focused: We only succeed when our clients succeed.
• Outstanding: We deliver meticulous results through outstanding performance.
• Good: We act ethically and morally.
• Employee-Centric: We honor and support our employees.
• Nimble: We are prepared to adapt in an ever-changing industry.
• Team-Oriented: We collaborate with each other and with our clients.

We currently have a role available for an Expert Pharma Fermentation Biochemist.

Job duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Design, execute, and optimize E. coli fermentation processes from shake flask through bench-scale and pilot-scale bioreactors, owning the experimental work hands‑on.
• Drive measurable improvements in yield and batch‑to‑batch consistency through systematic optimization of host strain performance, media composition, feed strategy, induction conditions, and control setpoints for pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and agitation.
• Using design of experiments, define the process design space and identify the critical process parameters that govern product quality and quantity, rather than relying on one‑factor‑at‑a‑time work.
• Establish scale‑independent criteria (volumetric power input, oxygen transfer capacity, mixing time, and gas‑phase mass balance) so that performance demonstrated at bench scale is reproducible at pilot scale and beyond.
• Develop clear, pre‑specified experimental plans, analyze and interpret the resulting data with appropriate statistical rigor, and present conclusions and recommendations to cross‑functional teams and leadership.

Job requirements include, but are not limited to, the following:

• PhD in chemical engineering, biochemical engineering, biotechnology, microbiology, molecular biology, or a related field.
• 1+ years of hands‑on experience developing and operating bacterial fermentation processes in instrumented, controlled bioreactors.
• Demonstrated experience independently designing, executing, and analyzing fermentation experiments at ≥ 2 L working volume.
• Impeccable verbal and written communication skills.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to work well both independently and within a team.
• Very strong problem‑solving skills, a high level of learning agility, and the ability to work across functions.
• The ideal candidate should be enthusiastic and self‑motivated, with the leadership and communication skills necessary to operate effectively in a fast‑paced multidisciplinary environment with flexibility and an adaptable approach to goal delivery.

This is an onsite, day shift position (approx. 8a‑5p local time).

Cogent Scientific provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate based on any legally protected characteristic.

Additionally, if you require a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please let us know.

This job posting will close by 12/31/2026 or when a candidate is identified, whichever comes first.