Fermentation Process Development Specialist II

T E C Industrial Inc; Franklin, Northern (WI, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Microbial Discovery Group (MDG) within United Animal Health seeks a Process Development Specialist II to advance fermentation technologies and translate discoveries into scalable solutions. You will work on microbial fermentation using bench-scale bioreactors, designing and executing experiments to optimize yield and robustness.

You will collaborate cross-functionally to enable technology transfer, maintain strict safety and quality standards, and support occasional off-shift runs as needed in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in microbiology, biotechnology, biochemical/chemical engineering, or related field.
• Hands-on experience operating microbial fermentation and bench-scale bioreactor systems.
• Familiarity with aseptic techniques, microbial cultivation, and standard laboratory practices.
• Understanding of microbial physiology, fermentation kinetics, and core process principles.
• Experience designing and analyzing experiments; exposure to Design of Experiments (DOE) is a plus.
• Proficiency with basic data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, JMP, or similar) and ability to interpret process data.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow written protocols, SOPs, and safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and monitor microbial fermentation processes in 1–10L bioreactors.
• Independently troubleshoot bioreactor systems (pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, agitation, gas flow).
• Prepare media, buffers, and inoculum using aseptic techniques and established SOPs.
• Design and execute experiments to evaluate and optimize process parameters for yield, scalability, robustness, and cost-effective raw material utilization.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret in-process samples to monitor fermentation performance.
• Utilize analytical methods such as spectrophotometry and HPLC to assess process outcomes and product quality attributes.
• Interpret process data to identify trends, deviations, and process limitations and recommend actionable improvements.
• Support scale-up activities by translating lab-scale results into pilot-scale recommendations, including mixing, kLa, and heat transfer considerations.
• Document experimental plans, methods, data, and conclusions to ensure reproducibility and effective technology transfer.
• Collaborate with upstream, downstream, analytical, and operations teams to align on process development strategies and timelines.
• Adhere to all laboratory safety procedures, biosafety and chemical handling guidelines, and applicable internal quality standards.
• Occasional non-routine or off-shift work hours to initiate, monitor, or complete critical fermentation runs.

Skills

Hands-on fermentation

Aseptic techniques

Microbial physiology

Experiment design & DOE exposure

Data analysis tools (Excel, JMP)

Detail-oriented & SOP adherence

Education

Bachelor's degree in microbiology/biotechnology/biochemical engineering or related field

Tools

Sartorius automated bioreactors

Applikon bioreactor systems

Eppendorf control software

HPLC instrumentation

Spectrophotometry

Excel

JMP

Job description

Microbial Discovery Group (MDG) within United Animal Health seeks a Process Development Specialist II to advance fermentation technologies and translate discoveries into scalable solutions. You will work on microbial fermentation using bench-scale bioreactors, designing and executing experiments to optimize yield and robustness.

You will collaborate cross-functionally to enable technology transfer, maintain strict safety and quality standards, and support occasional off-shift runs as needed in a