Senior Fermentation / Bioprocess Engineer

Our Research Division has developed an engineered microbial strain producing enzyme with approximately 3x the performance of the parent strain. Currently validated at flask and 5 L scale, the project now moves toward scale-up to 10,000 L+ and mass production at contract manufacturing sites, with the goal of applying it to application. We are seeking a fermentation and bioprocess expert to lead this transition.

Work content and job description
[Key Responsibilities]

• Scale up microbial fermentation processes from flask/5 L to 50 L, 500 L, and 10,000 L+, and optimize process conditions at each scale
• Design fed-batch cultivation strategies, including control of pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, and feed, and analyze fermentation data
• Design agitation, aeration, back-pressure, and oxygen enrichment strategies; oversee CIP, SIP, and aseptic operations
• Prepare technology transfer packages for contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs), such as SYNMAX, and lead the transfer process
• Identify critical process parameters (CPPs) during scale-up and ensure batch-to-batch reproducibility

[What You Will Deliver in Your First 12 Months]

• A standard 5 L cultivation protocol and 50 L scale-up conditions
• A technology transfer package for CMO sites
• A defined set of critical process parameters (CPPs)
• Reproducible results across three consecutive batches, meeting targets for protein titer (g/L), productivity (g/L/h), and enzyme activity (FPU/mL)
• An initial cultivation cost model

[What to Expect]
This role bridges R&D, manufacturing, and our CMO partners. You will spend time on-site for scale-up verification and work closely with partner facilities. Achieving consistent reproducibility requires meticulous, hands-on work.

Work experience
[Required]

• Experience in scaling up microbial fermentation, including fed-batch cultivation and control of pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, and feed
• Solid understanding of kLa, OTR, OUR, and CER; experience designing agitation, aeration, back-pressure, and oxygen enrichment strategies
• Experience in fermentation data analysis, CIP, SIP, and aseptic operations
• Candidate profile: Master's degree or higher preferred; 7+ years of hands-on bioprocess experience; at least one successful technology transfer to manufacturing at 500 L scale or above

[Preferred]

• Experience with filamentous fungi such as Trichoderma and Aspergillus, and with high-viscosity, non-Newtonian fermentation broths
• Experience in controlling mycelial and pellet morphology, evaluating agitator torque and motor load, and selecting antifoam agents
• Experience in enzyme or recombinant protein production, technology transfer to contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs), and scale-up transfer from 5 L to 3,000 L or larger

Job content supplemental explanation
This position is responsible for maintaining the performance of our 3x-improved strain while scaling it up from flask and 5 L cultures to 50 L, 500 L, and 10,000 L+, and transferring the process to commercial manufacturing.

Selection
After document screening, shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview.