Senior R&D Scientist – Fungal Systems

We are seeking a Senior R&D Scientist (Fungal Systems Focus) to drive upstream development and manufacturing readiness for a rapidly growing life sciences organization.

This role sits at the intersection of biology and engineering, supporting the development of scalable fermentation platforms used to produce novel bio-based products. The position will play a key role in translating early-stage research into robust, production-ready processes, with a strong emphasis on organism performance, media strategy, and large-scale execution.

Requirements for the Senior R&D Scientist (Fungal Systems Focus):

• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline.
• Extensive experience developing microbial or fungal-based fermentation processes in an industrial setting.
• Strong familiarity with scale-up principles and challenges associated with transitioning processes beyond the lab.
• Hands-on expertise running and troubleshooting bioreactor systems across a range of volumes.
• Experience applying statistical tools to guide process development and improve performance.
• Solid understanding of how growth conditions influence cell behavior, productivity, and process outcomes.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and communicate technical concepts clearly.
• Exposure to manufacturing environments or external production partners is a plus.

Responsibilities of the Senior R&D Scientist (Fungal Systems Focus)

• Own development of upstream processes, including optimization of culture conditions and feeding strategies.
• Design and execute experimental plans to improve yield, consistency, and scalability.
• Operate and oversee fermentation systems, ensuring high-quality data generation and process control.
• Support transfer of processes into larger-scale environments, including pilot or external manufacturing sites.
• Work closely with adjacent teams (e.g., strain development, purification) to align process performance.
• Document process knowledge and contribute to technical reports and operational guidelines.
• Provide technical leadership in troubleshooting and continuous improvement efforts.

Occupational Category: 19-1029 Biological Scientists, All Other