Scientist I Fermentation - Decatur, IL

Archer Daniels Midland; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 49,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer Daniels Midland is seeking a Scientist I to join their fermentation team in Decatur, IL. The role focuses on optimizing fermentation processes, requiring hands-on laboratory work and real-time decision-making. Ideal candidates will have a relevant degree or experience in fermentation science, alongside excellent communication skills and a strong commitment to safety.

Benefits

Medical/Rx, dental, vision coverage

401(k) with matching contributions

Paid time off including holidays

Tuition assistance

Company-sponsored training resources

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Microbiology, Fermentation Science, or 2-3 years of related experience.
• Familiar with fermentation equipment and microbiological techniques.
• Effective communicator across various teams.

Responsibilities

• Initiate, monitor, and sample fermentations in lab and pilot settings.
• Collaborate on fermentations at various scales and troubleshoot issues.
• Maintain safety protocols and document processes accurately.

Skills

Microbiological procedures

Aseptic techniques

Collaboration

Communication skills

Self-motivation

Education

Bachelor of Science in Microbiology or Fermentation Science

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Scientist I – Decatur, IL
Benchtop and Pilot Scale Fermentation
ADM Research & Development
This is an exempt-level position.

Position Summary:
This position is part of the Fermentation Team within the Biotechnology Research group at ADM. The team’s focus includes validating new production strains and optimizing fermentation processes across multiple scales. This includes scale-up and scale-down efforts, as well as troubleshooting current fermentation methods. The team works with bacterial, yeast, and fungal fermentations and performs microbial identification, sample analysis, and data interpretation.

The candidate in this Scientist I role will be responsible for initiating, monitoring and sampling fermentations, maintaining detailed records, performing hands-on work in both laboratory and pilot plant settings, and making real-time decisions on process adjustments to ensure successful outcomes while adhering to enhanced safety protocols. This role also includes overlapping with night shift personnel to ensure continuous safety oversight and compliance with advanced safety systems.

Work Schedule: 2 options, 8-hour days vs 10-hour days
Sunday-Thursday, 3:30 pm-12:00 am (8 hours)
Monday-Thursday, 3:30 pm-2:00 am (10 hours)

Job Responsibilities:

• Record, sample, and monitor fermentations in our bench scales laboratories and pilot plant areas.
• Collaborate within a team to ensure successful fermentations at scales of 7.5 L, 100 L, and 1000 L.
• Make decisions on real time process adjustments, troubleshoot issues as they arise and document data and observations.
• Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Communicate effectively and relay information to other team members.
• Read and comprehend fermentation protocols.
• Perform basic maintenance on fermentation and analytical equipment.
• Contribute to ongoing efforts for continuous improvement in fermentation execution and laboratory safety.
• Work in an aseptic manner and maintain a clean workspace.
• Be self-motivated and ambitious.

Job Description

Scientist I – Decatur, IL
Benchtop and Pilot Scale Fermentation
ADM Research & Development
This is an exempt-level position.

Position Summary:
This position is part of the Fermentation Team within the Biotechnology Research group at ADM. The team’s focus includes validating new production strains and optimizing fermentation processes across multiple scales. This includes scale-up and scale-down efforts, as well as troubleshooting current fermentation methods. The team works with bacterial, yeast, and fungal fermentations and performs microbial identification, sample analysis, and data interpretation.

The candidate in this Scientist I role will be responsible for initiating, monitoring and sampling fermentations, maintaining detailed records, performing hands-on work in both laboratory and pilot plant settings, and making real-time decisions on process adjustments to ensure successful outcomes while adhering to enhanced safety protocols. This role also includes overlapping with night shift personnel to ensure continuous safety oversight and compliance with advanced safety systems.

Work Schedule: 2 options, 8-hour days vs 10-hour days
Sunday-Thursday, 3:30 pm-12:00 am (8 hours)
Monday-Thursday, 3:30 pm-2:00 am (10 hours)

Job Responsibilities:

• Record, sample, and monitor fermentations in our bench scales laboratories and pilot plant areas.
• Collaborate within a team to ensure successful fermentations at scales of 7.5 L, 100 L, and 1000 L.
• Make decisions on real time process adjustments, troubleshoot issues as they arise and document data and observations.
• Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Communicate effectively and relay information to other team members.
• Read and comprehend fermentation protocols.
• Perform basic maintenance on fermentation and analytical equipment.
• Contribute to ongoing efforts for continuous improvement in fermentation execution and laboratory safety.
• Work in an aseptic manner and maintain a clean workspace.
• Be self-motivated and ambitious.

Job Requirements:
Required or Useful Skills and Experiences for the Candidate:

• A Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology, Fermentation Science, or a related field; or 2-3 years of experience in fermentation.
• Familiarity with fermentation equipment, including troubleshooting and maintenance.
• Understanding of general microbiological procedures and aseptic techniques.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of engaging with both technical and non-technical personnel.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with diverse, multidisciplinary teams.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Must be able to lift to 50 lbs.

Excited about this role but don’t think you meet every requirement listed? We encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings.

ADM requires the successful completion ofabackground check.

REF:98432BR

Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours.

If hired, employees will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

The pay range for this position is expected to be between:

$49,000.00 - $91,000.00

Benefits and Perks

Enriching the quality of life for the world begins by taking care of our colleagues. In addition to competitive pay, we support your diverse needs with a comprehensive total rewards package to enhance your well-being, including:

• Physical wellness – medical/Rx, dental, vision and on-site wellness center access or gym reimbursement (as applicable).
• Financial wellness – flexible spending accounts, health savings account, 401(k) with matching contributions and cash balance plan, discounted employee stock purchasing program, life insurance, disability, workers’ compensation, legal assistance, identity theft protection.
• Mental and social wellness – Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Colleague Giving Programs (ADM Cares).

Benefits and Perks

Enriching the quality of life for the world begins by taking care of our colleagues. In addition to competitive pay, we support your diverse needs with a comprehensive total rewards package to enhance your well-being, including:

• Physical wellness – medical/Rx, dental, vision and on-site wellness center access or gym reimbursement (as applicable).
• Financial wellness – flexible spending accounts, health savings account, 401(k) with matching contributions and cash balance plan, discounted employee stock purchasing program, life insurance, disability, workers’ compensation, legal assistance, identity theft protection.
• Mental and social wellness – Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Colleague Giving Programs (ADM Cares).

Additional benefits include:

• Paid time off including paid holidays.
• Adoption assistance and paid maternity and parental leave.
• Tuition assistance.
• Company-sponsored training and development resources, such as LinkedIn Learning, language training and mentoring programs.

*Benefits may vary for bargained locations, confirm benefit eligibility with your recruiter.

#IncludingYou

Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are cornerstones of ADM’s efforts to continue innovating, driving growth, and delivering outstanding performance. We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce and create welcoming, truly inclusive work environments — environments that enable every ADM colleague to feel comfortable on the job, make meaningful contributions to our success, and grow their career. We respect and value the unique backgrounds and experiences that each person can bring to ADM because we know that diversity of perspectives makes us better, together.

We are committed to ensuring all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We welcome everyone to apply, especially those individuals who are underrepresented in our industry, as we strive to ensure our workforce represents the world that we help to feed: people of color, women, gender non-conforming, LGBTQIA+, veterans and persons with disabilities. For more information regarding our efforts to advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, please visit our website here: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | ADM.

About ADM

At ADM, we unlock the power of nature to provide access to nutrition worldwide. With industry-advancing innovations, a complete portfolio of ingredients and solutions to meet any taste, and a commitment to sustainability, we give customers an edge in solving the nutritional challenges of today and tomorrow. We’re a global leader in human and animal nutrition and the world’s premier agricultural origination and processing company. Our breadth, depth, insights, facilities and logistical expertise give us unparalleled capabilities to meet needs for food, beverages, health and wellness, and more. From the seed of the idea to the outcome of the solution, we enrich the quality of life the world over. Learn more at www.adm.com.