Submerged Fermentation Scientist
Chicago, IL /
Engineering & Manufacturing /
Full-time
/ On-site
Nature’s Fynd is a groundbreaking food tech company born out of NASA-supported research on extremophiles in the geothermal pools of Yellowstone National Park. Our novel fermentation technology produces a sustainable source of complete protein using only a fraction of the resources required by traditional agriculture. As the challenge to feed the world’s expanding population grows, our mission is to create amazing foods and materials that provide sustainable choices and nurture the planet.
We’re looking for passionate, driven, and ambitious people to join our fast-growing team.
As the Liquid Fermentation Scientist at Nature’s Fynd, you will be a key member of the Pilot
Plant team in the Process and Technology area responsible for process development, scaling
up, and optimizing our fermentation process. You will be responsible for bringing innovation to
our fermentation processes while also increasing productivity, and product quality through
experimentation and design. The position will interface with internal R&D, Engineering, and
Manufacturing teams as well as CMOs.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Design and execute fermentation operating strategies and process control strategies based on strong understanding of biochemical engineering principles
- Plan and execute fermentation experimental design (lab, pilot & industrial scale) ensuring safety, effectiveness and efficiency
- Collect, analyze and interpret experimental (lab, pilot & industrial scale), and actual production data
- Oversee equipment selection, modification, procurement, installation, and start-up in relation to fermentation
- Serve as the technical lead with respect to submerged fermentation manufacturing scale-up and operations
- Work with existing R&D and Engineering team to develop and implement optimized and scalable downstream process technologies
- Communicate with key stakeholders in R&D, engineering, manufacturing, and relevant third parties. Prepare mass balances, process flow diagrams, technical, experimental reports, techno-economic feasibility assessments for communicating work outcomes and future recommendations economic analysis, SOPs
- Identify and implement best practices in fermentation scale-up and technology deployment
- Other duties as determined by business needs
Submerged Fermentation Scientist Requirements
- PhD in bioprocess, chemical, or biological engineering or MS with 10+ years in a fermentation process development or engineering role, supporting piloting, scale-up, and manufacturing, ideally in a food manufacturing environment
- Applied knowledge in microbial physiology, aseptic technique, statistics, fermenter /bioreactor design, process data analytics, control and automation
- Demonstrated hands on experience of pilot and industrial scale fermentation of food ingredients
- Fermentation processes
- Scale-up/scale-down techniques and equipment
- Fermentation and bioreactor modeling
- Statistical analysis and experience leveraging statistical software for experimental design and process optimization
- Downstream processing design and equipment selection preferred
- Technology transfer
In depth technical knowledge and extensive hands-on experience with:
Nice-to-Have
- Experience with fungal fermentations
Liquid Fermentation Scientist Qualifications
- Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Emphasis on personal transparency and accountability
- Comfortable working in a start-up environment
- Sound judgment when faced with uncertainty and ambiguity
- Self-motivated by problem solving and inherent curiosity to understand how things work
Personal Qualifications
- Emphasize personal transparency and accountability
- Comfortable working in a startup environment, embrace entrepreneurship and have enthusiasm for innovation
- Self-motivated with the ability to work independently & with a team
- Ability to manage workflow for multiple projects and tasks
- Detail oriented, organized and capacity to meet deadlines
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, across organizational functions
- Exhibit strong sense of professional and personal integrity
- Inherent curiosity and creativity in solving problems to understand how things work
- Ability to handle and maintain the confidentiality of highly sensitive information
- Versatility, flexibility and willingness to work enthusiastically within changing priorities
Benefits
- Participation in Employee Stock Ownership Program
- 100% paid employee benefits (medical, dental, vision)
- Generous Parental leave policy
- Opportunity to join a company with an aggressive growth trajectory that will revolutionize multiple industries
- Engaging and dynamic work culture full of innovation and collaboration with your fellow Fynders
Commitment To Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, And Belonging
- Nature’s Fynd views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values
EEO Statement
- We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law
