Senior Fermentation Scientist & Process Development Lead

Berkner Group; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

401(k) plan

Job summary

Berkner Group is recruiting a Senior Fermentation Scientist / Process Development Engineer for a Raleigh-Durham, NC on-site role. You will design and execute yeast fermentation and protein production processes to enable sustainable animal agriculture and biotech applications.

The role emphasizes hands-on process development, collaboration with scientists, and rapid prototyping in a fast-paced startup lab environment. Competitive salary, equity, and benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• 6+ years hands-on fermentation and process development; or 4+ years with a PhD.
• Experience from lab to industrial-scale fermentation; agricultural/food/pharma context preferred.
• Deep knowledge of fermentation principles, processes, and equipment.
• Comfort with bioreactor controls and instrumentation for maintenance and operation.
• Proven track record of developing new processes; strong problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to learn molecular analysis of proteins; able to work independently and in teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead process development for high-yield protein and enzyme production; highly hands-on.
• Characterize yeast fermentation performance across wells to pilot scale fermenters.
• Optimize fermentation media and processes to maximize protein titer (feed, mixing, gas, pH).
• Set up, maintain, and operate bench and pilot bioreactors and sensors.
• Ensure safety and regulatory compliance; maintain detailed documentation for QC/regulatory purposes.
• Collaborate with scientists/technicians to improve protein quality and activity.
• Facilitate technology transfer to CMOs.

Skills

Hands-on fermentation

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Independent work

Rapid prototyping

Education

B.S. or M.S. with 6+ years fermentation experience

PhD in chemical/biochemical/bioengineering or microbiology

Tools

3D printing

Fabrication tools

Job description

Berkner Group is recruiting a Senior Fermentation Scientist / Process Development Engineer for a Raleigh-Durham, NC on-site role. You will design and execute yeast fermentation and protein production processes to enable sustainable animal agriculture and biotech applications.

The role emphasizes hands-on process development, collaboration with scientists, and rapid prototyping in a fast-paced startup lab environment. Competitive salary, equity, and benefits are offered.