Senior Scientist – Biofermentation & Process Development

Scorpion Therapeutics; Princeton (NJ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Scorpion Therapeutics in Princeton, NJ is seeking a scientist to advance biofermentation and protein production. You will design and execute experiments, optimize expression, and scale up processes from lab to pilot scale, collaborating with Bioengineering, Expression, and Purification teams.

The role emphasizes hands-on fermentation using 5–30 L BioFlo reactors, high-throughput screening, and rigorous documentation.

Qualifications

• MS/PhD in Biological Sciences or related field with relevant fermentation experience.
• Proven protein expression in prokaryotic hosts.
• Experience with fed-batch fermentation on 5–30 L scale.
• Strong documentation and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Support project teams by conducting experiments according to defined objectives and timelines.
• Develop, optimize, and scale up fermentation processes.
• Troubleshoot fermentation performance issues and implement improvements.
• Design experimental routes and risk-mitigation strategies to achieve project goals.
• Prepare reports and present data to internal and external partners.
• Coach and mentor junior colleagues on experimental execution and design.
• Ensure safe laboratory practices and maintain accurate documentation.

Skills

Protein expression

Biofermentation

Bioreactors

Protein purification

Bioinformatics

Team collaboration

Documentation

Fed-batch fermentation

Problem solving

SOP adherence

Education

MS/PhD in Biological Sciences or Biological Engineering

Tools

BioFlo bioreactors

Chromatography

Bioinformatics tools

Job description

What You’ll Do

• Support project teams by conducting experiments according to defined objectives and timelines.
• Develop, optimize, and scale up fermentation processes.
• Troubleshoot fermentation performance issues and implement process improvements and corrective measures.
• Design experimental routes independently; develop risk-mitigation, optimization, and scale-up strategies to achieve project goals.
• Apply scientific knowledge to troubleshoot and resolve challenges; seek input when needed.
• Prepare written reports, present data, and collaborate with internal/external scientific partners.
• Present work at project-level and department-level technical meetings.
• Demonstrate full command of relevant techniques and tools.
• Coach and mentor junior colleagues on experimental execution and design.
• Ensure safe laboratory practices (adhere to COPs and SOPs).
• Stay current with scientific literature relevant to assigned projects.
• Maintain accurate, compliant documentation (Lab Notebook guidelines).

Who You Are

• MS or PhD in Biological Sciences, Biological Engineering, or related field (MS: at least 5 years relevant experience).
• Strong collaboration with Bioengineering, Expression, and Purification teams.
• Self-starter with a flexible, problem-solving mindset; attention to detail and SOP adherence.
• Demonstrated protein expression proficiency in prokaryotic hosts (diverse protein types).
• Experience in biofermentation process design, development, and optimization.
• Hands-on fed-batch fermentations using mid-scale BioFlo bioreactors (5–30 L; strongly preferred).
• High-throughput optimization of expression conditions (solubility/activity screening) to increase yield.
• Protein purification experience using a wide range of methods and affinity tags.
• Familiarity/proficiency with bioinformatics tools for construct design.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary teams.
• Exceptional client orientation and strong documentation/presentation skills.