Fermentation Engineer

BioPhase Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

BioPhase Inc. is seeking an experienced Bioprocess Engineer to independently design, execute and analyze fermentation experiments aimed at improving titer, rate and yield.

You will develop end-to-end processes from media development to feeding strategies and control, and script automated DoE campaigns to optimize production. The role spans scale-up and tech transfer from bench to pilot and commercial scales, collaborating with strain engineering, analytics, and manufacturing teams to ensure

Qualifications

• B.S./M.S. in Bioprocess Eng, Chemical Eng, Biotechnology, Microbiology or related field with 5+ years of industrial fermentation experience.
• Hands-on fermentation across bacteria, yeasts and/or filamentous fungi in batch, fed-batch and continuous modes.
• Experience installing fermentation equipment and building out qualification documentation.
• Experience scripting bioreactor control — recipes, feed schemes and automated events.
• Strong understanding of mass transfer, mixing, and process economics.
• Experience designing and executing laboratory experiments predictive of large-scale processes.

Responsibilities

• Independently design, execute and analyze bioreactor experiments to improve titer, rate and yield.
• Develop fermentation processes end to end including media development, inoculum train, feeding strategy and process control.
• Script and automate bioreactor operation and DoE campaigns.
• Lead scale-up and tech transfer from bench to pilot and commercial scale.
• Collaborate with strain engineering, downstream processing, analytics, manufacturing and product development teams.
• Establish lab operating backbone with SOPs, batch records, calibration and maintenance.

Skills

Fermentation process development

Scale-up to pilot/commerceal scale

Data analysis & modeling

Mass and energy balances

Process control & automation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

B.S./M.S. in Bioprocess Eng/ Chem Eng / Biotechnology / Microbiology

Tools

Sartorius

Eppendorf

Applikon

Infors

TJX

Ambr

Caladan

Python

MATLAB

JMP

SuperPro Designer

Aspen

Job description

Independently design, execute and analyze bioreactor experiments to improve titer, rate and yield of our target molecules — and translate the results into a clear recommendation for the next experiment

Develop fermentation processes end to end: media development, inoculum train, feeding strategy, induction and process control (pH, DO, temperature, gas transfer, off-gas)

Script and automate bioreactor operation — feed schemes, cascades, setpoint profiles, event triggers and DoE campaigns

Close mass, carbon and electron balances to quantify process performance and pinpoint yield losses, byproducts and thermodynamic ceilings

Build out fermentation laboratory infrastructure: define requirements, evaluate and select vendors, and install, commission and qualify bioreactors, feed and gas systems, off-gas analysis, sampling and supporting analytics

Establish the operating backbone of the lab — SOPs, batch records, calibration and preventive maintenance schedules, data capture and archiving, and consumables planning

Troubleshoot process performance issues related to yield, productivity, contamination, foaming, mass transfer limitation, byproduct formation, reproducibility or variability

Lead scale-up and technology transfer of fermentation processes from bench to pilot, demo and commercial scale, including design of scale-down models that are predictive of large-scale performance

Collaborate closely with strain engineering, downstream processing, analytical, manufacturing and product development teams to ensure process compatibility, product performance and process economics

Partner with contract manufacturers, equipment vendors, and external technical partners as needed

Uphold and exemplify excellence in laboratory safety, chemical hygiene, and responsible research practices

B.S. or M.S. in Bioprocess Engineering, Chemical

Engineering, Biotechnology, Microbiology or a

related field, and a minimum of 5 years of industrial

experience in fermentation process development

Hands-on fermentation experience across a variety

of microbes — bacteria, yeasts and/or filamentous

fungi — in batch, fed-batch and continuous modes

Demonstrated experience installing new

fermentation equipment and building out

and qualification

Experience scripting bioreactor control — recipes,

feed schemes, cascades and automated events —

on platforms such as Sartorius, Eppendorf,

Applikon, Infors, TJX, Ambr or Caladan

Experience closing mass, carbon and electron

balances, including use of off-gas analysis (OUR,

CER, RQ) and reconciliation of substrate, product

and byproduct streams

Strong understanding of mass transfer, mixing,

equipment sizing, process controls and

process economics

Experience designing and executing laboratory

experiments that are predictive of largescale

processes

Experience with data analysis, statistical design of

experiments and modeling: JMP, Python, MATLAB,

SuperPro Designer, Aspen or similar tools

Ability to troubleshoot complex process issues

and translate technical findings into actionable

process improvements

Strong documentation, communication, and crossfunctional

NICE TO HAVE

Demonstrated experience scaling fermentation

processes to pilot, demo and commercial scale

Hands-on experience with downstream processing

of fermentation broth (e.g. centrifugation, filtration,

extraction, crystallization, distillation)

Experience supporting technology transfer to

contract manufacturing organizations

Experience with non-conventional yeasts

Familiarity with metabolic modeling or flux

analysis, and with working alongside strain