Bioprocess Engineer - Fermentation

Placements24; East London; Hybrid; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance incentives

Health benefits

Paid time off

Remote-friendly

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Bioprocess Engineer specializing in fermentation to join our remote-first research and development team. You will design, develop, and scale fermentation processes for microbial hosts, optimize yields, and troubleshoot challenges in a fast-paced bioprocess environment.

The ideal candidate holds an MS or PhD in chemical/biochemical engineering or biotech, with 5+ years in industrial fermentation scale-up, and hands-on bench- and pilot-scale experience.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in chemical/biochemical engineering or related field.
• 5+ years in industrial fermentation development and scale-up.
• Strong understanding of microbial physiology and fermentation principles.
• Hands-on experience with bench-scale and pilot-scale fermentation systems.
• Proficiency in data analysis software; experience with process modeling is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design, optimize, and scale-up fermentation processes for microbial hosts.
• Develop control strategies for temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and nutrient feeding.
• Monitor fermentation runs, analyze data, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Troubleshoot process deviations and implement corrective actions to maintain product quality and yield.
• Collaborate with upstream and downstream teams to ensure seamless process integration.
• Develop and maintain detailed process documentation, SOPs, and batch records.

Skills

Fermentation

Scale-up

Data analysis

Process modeling

Education

MS/PhD in Chemical/Biochemical Eng

Tools

Bench-scale fermenters

Pilot-scale fermenters

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced Bioprocess Engineer specializing in Fermentation to join their innovative, remote-first research and development team. This role is critical for optimizing and scaling up fermentation processes for the production of novel biological products. You will be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing robust fermentation strategies, troubleshooting process challenges, and ensuring efficient, high-yield production. The ideal candidate is a proactive engineer with a strong understanding of microbial physiology and fermentation technology, thriving in a collaborative virtual environment dedicated to advancing biopharmaceutical development.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, optimize, and scale-up fermentation processes for various microbial hosts.
• Develop and implement control strategies for key fermentation parameters (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, nutrient feeding).
• Monitor fermentation runs, analyze process data, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Troubleshoot process deviations and implement corrective actions to maintain product quality and yield.
• Collaborate with upstream and downstream teams to ensure seamless process integration.
• Develop and maintain detailed process documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and batch records.

Requirements

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in industrial fermentation process development and scale-up.
• Strong understanding of microbial physiology, metabolic engineering, and fermentation principles.
• Hands-on experience with bench-scale and pilot-scale fermentation systems.
• Proficiency in data analysis software and experience with process modeling is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work effectively in a remote, collaborative team setting.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge bioprocess development projects.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Generous paid time off and professional development opportunities.
• A fully remote work environment that promotes work-life balance and flexibility.