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Director Fermentation Science Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Archer Daniels Midland

We are seeking an experienced fermentation scientist/engineer to lead the design, optimization, and ... The position will report to the Technical Director - Ethanol Research Support. Job Responsibilities:

ADM

Ethanol Support Engineer - Decatur, IL

Decatur, IL · On-site

We are seeking an experienced fermentation scientist/engineer to lead the design, optimization, and ... The position will report to the Technical Director - Ethanol Research Support. Job Responsibilities:

ADM

Ethanol Support Engineer - Decatur, IL

Decatur, IL

$90K - $144K/yr

We are seeking an experienced fermentation scientist/engineer to lead the design, optimization, and ... The position will report to the Technical Director - Ethanol Research Support.Job Responsibilities:

Archer Daniels Midland

The Director will work with multiple support functions to develop new products, external ... scientific, engineering or business discipline, MBA preferred. * Understanding of the fermentation ...

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Director Fermentation Science information

What does a director of fermentation science do?

A Director of Fermentation Science leads and oversees the research, development, and optimization of fermentation processes within an organization, often in industries such as food, beverage, pharmaceuticals, or biotechnology. They manage teams of scientists and technicians, design experiments, and ensure that fermentation operations are efficient, safe, and compliant with regulations. Additionally, they collaborate with other departments to scale up production and implement innovative fermentation technologies. Their goal is to improve product quality, yield, and sustainability.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of fermentation science?

To thrive as a Director of Fermentation Science, you need advanced knowledge in microbiology, biochemistry, and fermentation processes, usually supported by a master's or PhD in a related field. Familiarity with bioreactor operation, laboratory information management systems (LIMS), and regulatory compliance is essential. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and cross-functional communication skills help drive innovation and manage diverse teams. These skills are crucial to ensure efficient production, maintain product quality, and lead scientific advancements within the organization.

What are some common challenges faced by a director of fermentation science, and how can they be managed effectively?

A Director of Fermentation Science often faces challenges such as optimizing fermentation processes for yield and consistency, troubleshooting microbial contamination, and scaling up new formulations from lab to production. Managing these issues requires strong cross-functional collaboration with quality assurance, production, and R&D teams, as well as staying current with technological advancements in fermentation. Effective Directors foster a culture of continuous improvement and clear communication to ensure regulatory compliance and product quality while supporting team development.

What is the difference between Director Fermentation Science vs Fermentation Scientist?

AspectDirector Fermentation ScienceFermentation Scientist
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in Fermentation Science, Microbiology, or related fields; extensive experienceBachelor's or Master's in Microbiology, Biochemistry, or related fields; specialized training
Work EnvironmentLeadership role overseeing teams, projects, and strategy in manufacturing or R&D facilitiesLaboratory or production settings focused on experimental research and process development
Employer & IndustryBrewing, biotech, food production companies

The main difference is that the Director Fermentation Science leads and manages fermentation projects and teams, focusing on strategy and oversight, while the Fermentation Scientist conducts research and experiments to develop or improve fermentation processes. Both roles require relevant credentials, but the director holds a broader leadership responsibility.

What can I do with a director fermentation science degree?

A director of fermentation science typically oversees fermentation processes in industries such as brewing, brewing, biofuel production, or food manufacturing. They apply knowledge of microbiology, biochemistry, and process engineering, often utilizing lab skills and quality control methods to optimize product quality and efficiency.

What are the most commonly searched types of Fermentation Science jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Fermentation Science jobs in Illinois are:

What are popular job titles related to Director Fermentation Science jobs in Illinois?

For Director Fermentation Science jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Director Fermentation Science jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Fermentation Science jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Director Fermentation Science jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Director Fermentation Science job openings:

Director Fermentation Science jobs near you

Ethanol Support Engineer - Decatur, IL

Archer Daniels Midland

On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago

ADM rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 186 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

76th of 366 rated logistics

Job description

Ethanol Support Engineer - Decatur, IL
ADM Research & Development
This is an exempt level position.
Position Summary:
We are seeking an experienced fermentation scientist/engineer to lead the design, optimization, and scale-up of commercial ethanol fermentation processes. The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical expert with deep industry experience and a proven ability to translate bench-scale innovation into full-scale production success. This role will drive process improvements, troubleshoot complex challenges, and guide cross-functional teams in delivering high-impact results. The successful candidate will combine strong scientific and analytical skills with strategic project management and clear communication, ensuring research initiatives align with business objectives and deliver measurable value.  The position will report to the Technical Director - Ethanol Research Support.
Job Responsibilities:
  • Provide value to ADM business units through research support of ethanol operations.
  • Collaborate with commercial and operational stakeholders to identify opportunities that add value through development and deployment of new technologies and process optimizations.
  • Create, evaluate and support deployment of new technologies and process optimizations at ethanol facilities.
  • Deliver technical leadership in the areas of plant operations and ethanol fermentation processes.
  • Assist with ethanol plant support requests, including plant visits, troubleshooting plant problems, and developing recommendations for solving fermentation issues.
  • Manage ethanol process optimization projects, and communicate outcomes and recommendations to plant operations and research team members.
Job Requirements:
These skills and experience will be required or useful for the candidate.
  • Education & Experience: PhD with 3+ years, MS with 10+ years, or BS with 15+ years of experience in fermentation science (microbiology, biochemistry, biotechnology, chemical engineering, or related disciplines).
  • Industry Expertise: 10+ years of hands-on experience in commercial or pilot-scale fermentation operations, or in a collaborative role supporting active fermentation facilities. Specific experience in industrial ethanol fermentations is highly preferred.
  • Technical Excellence: Proven ability to troubleshoot, optimize, and scale fermentation processes. Skill in working with industrial isolates of yeast is essential; additional fermentation experience with bacteria and fungi is a plus.
  • Leadership & Innovation: Recognized subject matter expert in commercial-scale ethanol fermentation design and optimization; capable of leading research initiatives from concept through implementation.
  • Project Management: Strong track record of managing complex projects-defining timelines, aligning objectives, and developing financial models to support recommendations.
  • Results Delivery: Demonstrated success in achieving project goals and clearly communicating outcomes to stakeholders across all levels of the organization.
  • Analytical Skills: Experienced in interpreting experimental data and developing protocols to support scale-up or scale-down of new technologies.
  • Collaboration & Communication: Excellent communicator with the ability to bridge technical and non-technical teams; thrives in multidisciplinary, cross-functional environments.
  • Technical Tools: Proficient in Microsoft Excel; experience with statistical software (e.g., JMP, Minitab) and OSI PI preferred.
  • Additional Expertise: Knowledge of enzyme technology and development is a plus.
Excited about this role but don't think you meet every requirement listed? We encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings.
ADM requires the successful completion of a background check. 
REF:105754BR

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