Fermentation Process Engineer - Bioprocess Scale-Up

Placements24; Soweto; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Pension fund

Generous annual leave

Bioprocessing training

Collaborative work environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Chemical Engineer with fermentation expertise to join a pioneering bioprocessing team in Soweto, Gauteng. The role focuses on development, optimization, and scale-up of microbial fermentation and bioprocesses for bio-based products.

The ideal candidate will have a strong grasp of bioreactor design, microbial physiology, and process control, with collaboration across biology and engineering disciplines to advance sustainable manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Chemical Engineering with biochemical/bioprocess emphasis
• Minimum of 3 years in fermentation process development or scale-up
• Solid understanding of microbial physiology and bioreactor operation

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize fermentation processes for microbial strains to maximize yield
• Design and operate lab and pilot bioreactors
• Develop downstream processing strategies including separation and purification
• Perform mass and energy balance calculations for bioprocesses
• Monitor critical process parameters to ensure optimal fermentation performance
• Conduct process validation studies and technology transfer to manufacturing
• Troubleshoot process issues and implement corrective actions
• Analyze experimental data to guide process improvements
• Collaborate with microbiologists, biochemists, and engineers

Skills

Biochemical engineering

Fermentation processes

Process control

Mass transfer

Education

Bachelors/Masters in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Centrifugation

Filtration

Chromatography

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Chemical Engineer with fermentation expertise to join a pioneering bioprocessing team in Soweto, Gauteng. The role focuses on development, optimization, and scale-up of microbial fermentation and bioprocesses for bio-based products.

The ideal candidate will have a strong grasp of bioreactor design, microbial physiology, and process control, with collaboration across biology and engineering disciplines to advance sustainable manufacturing.