Senior Fermentation Scientist – Process Innovation Lead

Placements24; Bloemfontein; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Professional development

Advanced lab facilities

Job summary

Placements24 in Bloemfontein, Free State, SA, seeks an experienced Senior Microbiologist to lead the fermentation technology division. The role focuses on optimizing and scaling up microbial fermentation for high-value biochemicals, with hands-on lab work and cross-functional collaboration.

The ideal candidate has a PhD or Master’s in Microbiology/Biochemical Engineering, 5+ years in industrial microbiology, and strong skills in strain improvement, process development, and analytical methods.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Microbiology, Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in industrial microbiology and fermentation technology.
• Proven expertise in microbial strain selection, improvement, and fermentation process development.
• Hands‑on experience with various fermentation equipment and bioreactor systems.
• Strong understanding of microbial physiology, genetics, and metabolic engineering principles.
• Experience with analytical techniques used for monitoring fermentation processes (e.g., HPLC, GC, spectroscopy).
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Previous experience working in Bloemfontein or a strong willingness to relocate is required.

Responsibilities

• Design, optimize, and scale‑up microbial fermentation processes for various applications.
• Conduct fundamental research to improve microbial strains and fermentation yields.
• Develop and implement robust fermentation protocols, including media optimization and process control strategies.
• Monitor and analyze fermentation parameters to ensure optimal process performance and product quality.
• Troubleshoot fermentation issues and implement corrective actions to maintain process efficiency.
• Collaborate with engineering and production teams to ensure seamless technology transfer from lab to pilot and production scales.
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in industrial microbiology, fermentation technology, and synthetic biology.
• Contribute to the development of new products and processes.
• Maintain comprehensive records and prepare technical reports and presentations.

Skills

Microbiology

Fermentation tech

Industrial biotech

Process optimization

Analytical techniques

Education

Ph.D. in Microbiology

M.S. in Biotechnology/biochemical engineering

Tools

HPLC

GC

Spectroscopy

Job description

Placements24 in Bloemfontein, Free State, SA, seeks an experienced Senior Microbiologist to lead the fermentation technology division. The role focuses on optimizing and scaling up microbial fermentation for high-value biochemicals, with hands-on lab work and cross-functional collaboration.

The ideal candidate has a PhD or Master’s in Microbiology/Biochemical Engineering, 5+ years in industrial microbiology, and strong skills in strain improvement, process development, and analytical methods.