Senior Chemical Engineer - Fermentation & Bioprocessing

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

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Provident fund

Paid vacation

Training & conferences

Job summary

Placements24 in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, seeks a Senior Chemical Engineer to lead scale-up and optimization of bioprocesses for novel bio-based chemicals and pharmaceuticals. You will work on bioreactor design, fermentation kinetics, downstream processing, and sterile operations in a cutting-edge biotech setting.

The role emphasizes GMP compliance, process modeling, and collaboration with R&D teams to advance bioproducts.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or Biochemical Engineering.
• Minimum of 5 years in fermentation or bioprocessing, with scale-up focus.
• Knowledge of fermentation kinetics, downstream processing, and sterile operations.
• Experience with GMP environments and regulatory compliance.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Project management experience and ability to collaborate across teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead scale-up and optimization of fermentation processes and bioreactors.
• Develop downstream processing strategies for bioproduct recovery.
• Design experiments to improve yield, productivity, and quality.
• Create process models and simulations for fermentation and downstream units.
• Ensure GMP compliance and participate in regulatory activities.
• Troubleshoot technical challenges and support tech transfer to manufacturing.
• Prepare technical reports, process descriptions, and validation protocols.
• Oversee pilot plant operations and support technology transfer.

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent biotechnology firm specializing in industrial fermentation and bioprocessing, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Chemical Engineer to join their expanding operations in Stellenbosch, Western Cape . This role is central to the scale-up, optimization, and validation of bioprocesses for the production of novel bio-based chemicals and pharmaceuticals. You will work with cutting-edge technologies, applying chemical engineering principles to biological systems. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of fermentation kinetics, downstream processing, and sterile operations. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the rapidly growing bio-economy within a dynamic research and development environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the scale-up and optimization of industrial fermentation processes, including bioreactor design and operation.
• Develop and implement efficient downstream processing strategies (e.g., filtration, chromatography, extraction) for bioproduct recovery.
• Design and execute experiments to improve process yield, productivity, and product quality.
• Develop process models and simulations for fermentation and downstream operations.
• Ensure adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and other relevant regulatory standards.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges in fermentation and downstream processing units.
• Collaborate with microbiologists, biochemists, and R&D scientists to integrate biological and engineering aspects.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, process descriptions, and validation protocols.
• Manage pilot plant operations and support technology transfer to commercial manufacturing.
• Contribute to process safety assessments for bioprocessing facilities in Stellenbosch, Western Cape .

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or Biochemical Engineering.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in fermentation or bioprocessing, with a focus on scale-up and optimization.
• Strong knowledge of microbial physiology, enzyme kinetics, and bioseparations.
• Proficiency in process simulation software and statistical analysis tools.
• Experience with GMP environments and regulatory compliance in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong project management and communication skills.
• Experience with sterile techniques and aseptic processing is essential.
• Must hold valid work authorization for South Africa.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including private medical insurance, a provident fund, and ample paid vacation. Employees benefit from a stimulating work environment with opportunities for professional growth and learning, including access to advanced training and conferences. The company provides a collaborative atmosphere and invests in its employees' development. Located in the picturesque academic and wine region of Stellenbosch, Western Cape , this role offers a unique lifestyle opportunity combined with a challenging and rewarding career in a high-growth industry.