Senior Microbiologist for Fermentation Process Development

Placements24; Paarl; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement contributions

Annual bonus

Paid time off

Training opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Microbiologist in Paarl, Western Cape, to lead fermentation process development and optimization for industrial biotechnology applications. The role focuses on improving microbial strains, yields, and product quality with a cross-functional team of biochemists, engineers, and strain developers.

You will design and execute experiments, scale processes from lab to pilot, and contribute to IP and reporting.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in industrial microbiology and fermentation process development.
• Expertise in microbial physiology, genetics, and metabolic engineering.
• Experience with bioreactor operation, scale-up, and aseptic techniques.
• Experience with analytical techniques for characterizing fermentation products.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and optimization of microbial fermentation processes.
• Design experiments to improve strain performance, yield and productivity.
• Optimize media, temperature, pH and aeration parameters.
• Develop analytical methods to monitor fermentation progress and product quality.
• Scale-up processes from lab bench to pilot-scale bioreactors.
• Collaborate with strain engineering to evaluate genetic modifications.
• Troubleshoot fermentation issues and ensure process robustness.
• Prepare reports and contribute to intellectual property generation.

Skills

Team leadership

Problem solving

Communication skills

DoE (Design of Experiments)

Education

M.Sc. in Microbiology/Biotechnology/Biochemical Engineering

Ph.D. in Microbiology/Biotechnology/Biochemical Engineering

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading biotechnology firm specializing in sustainable chemical production, is actively recruiting a Senior Microbiologist to lead their fermentation process development team in Paarl, Western Cape. This role is pivotal in optimizing microbial strains and fermentation processes to enhance the production of bio-based chemicals and materials. You will be responsible for designing and executing experiments to improve microbial performance, yield, and product quality. The Senior Microbiologist will work closely with a multidisciplinary team of biochemists, engineers, and strain developers to drive innovation from lab-scale feasibility to pilot-scale validation. This position requires a profound understanding of microbial physiology, genetics, and fermentation technology within the context of industrial biotechnology. Situated in the beautiful Paarl, Western Cape, this is an exceptional opportunity for a dedicated scientist to contribute to cutting edge bioprocess development and sustainable manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and optimization of microbial fermentation processes for industrial applications.
• Design and conduct experiments to improve microbial strain performance, including yield, titer, and productivity.
• Optimize fermentation parameters such as media composition, temperature, pH, and aeration.
• Develop and implement analytical methods for monitoring fermentation progress and product quality.
• Scale-up fermentation processes from laboratory bench to pilot-scale bioreactors.
• Collaborate with strain engineering teams to introduce genetic modifications and evaluate their impact on fermentation.
• Troubleshoot fermentation issues and implement solutions to ensure process robustness.
• Prepare detailed reports, present findings, and contribute to intellectual property generation.

Requirements

• M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Microbiology, Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering, or a related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in industrial microbiology and fermentation process development.
• Proven expertise in microbial physiology, genetics, and metabolic engineering.
• Strong understanding of bioreactor operation, scale-up principles, and aseptic techniques.
• Experience with analytical techniques for characterizing fermentation products and byproducts.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis and experimental design (DoE).
• Excellent problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for effective team collaboration.
• Experience working in a bioprocess development setting in Paarl, Western Cape.

Benefits

The Paarl, Western Cape location provides a stimulating work environment within the heart of a growing biotech hub.

We foster a collaborative and innovative culture, prioritizing safety and sustainability.

• Our client offers a competitive salary, commensurate with experience, and a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement contributions, and annual bonuses.
• We are committed to the professional growth of our employees, providing access to training, conferences, and development opportunities.
• Benefits include generous paid time off and a supportive work-life balance.