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Microbial Fermentation Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Oath

Fermentation Scientist

Vacaville, CA · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

About Oath: Oath is a leading microbial sciences company that utilizes natural soil biology to ... The Fermentation Scientist will develop, optimize, and scale microbial fermentation processes ...

Oath

Fermentation Scientist

Vacaville, CA · Hybrid

$100K - $130K/yr

About Oath: Oath is a leading microbial sciences company that utilizes natural soil biology to ... The Fermentation Scientist will develop, optimize, and scale microbial fermentation processes ...

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Microbial Fermentation information

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How much do microbial fermentation jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for microbial fermentation in California is $19.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.03 and $20.87 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is microbial fermentation?

Microbial fermentation is a biological process in which microorganisms like bacteria, yeast, or fungi convert organic compounds—such as sugars—into products like alcohol, acids, gases, or bioactive molecules. This process is widely used in food production (like yogurt, cheese, and beer), pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology industries to produce enzymes, antibiotics, and other valuable products. Microbial fermentation can occur under aerobic or anaerobic conditions, depending on the microorganism and the desired end product. It is a key technology for sustainable manufacturing and plays a crucial role in both traditional and modern industries.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a microbial fermentation specialist?

To excel as a Microbial Fermentation Specialist, you need a solid background in microbiology, biochemistry, and fermentation science, usually supported by a degree in a related field. Familiarity with bioreactors, aseptic techniques, analytical instrumentation, and relevant certifications such as GMP or GLP are typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving, and strong teamwork and communication skills help individuals stand out in this role. These skills ensure the safe, efficient, and reproducible production of microbial products in industrial and research settings.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in microbial fermentation, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in microbial fermentation often face challenges such as contamination control, maintaining optimal growth conditions, and scaling up processes from laboratory to industrial production. Addressing these issues requires rigorous aseptic techniques, constant monitoring of environmental parameters (like pH, temperature, and oxygen levels), and ongoing collaboration with quality assurance and process engineering teams. Regular training, standardized protocols, and clear communication with cross-functional teams help ensure smooth operation and minimize the risk of batch failures.

What is the difference between Microbial Fermentation vs Microbiologist?

AspectMicrobial FermentationMicrobiologist
Required CredentialsLaboratory training, certifications in fermentation techniquesDegree in microbiology or related field, certifications may vary
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, production facilities, biotech companiesResearch labs, healthcare, environmental agencies
Industry UsageBiotech, food & beverage, pharmaceuticalsHealthcare, research, environmental science

Microbial Fermentation specialists focus on applying fermentation processes to produce products, while microbiologists study microorganisms broadly. Both roles often require similar educational backgrounds and work in laboratory settings, but their primary goals differ: one is process-oriented, the other research-oriented.

What are popular job titles related to Microbial Fermentation jobs in California?

For Microbial Fermentation jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Microbial Fermentation jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Microbial Fermentation jobs in California are:

Microbial Fermentation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Microbial Fermentation job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 5% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 81% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,990 per year, or $19.7 per hour.

Fermentation Scientist

Vacaville, CA • On-site

Oath
Non-Profits • 1 - 10 employees
Learn more about Oathexternal

$100K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

About Oath:
Oath is a leading microbial sciences company that utilizes natural soil biology to offer innovative solutions to some of the most critical challenges facing our planet - the climate crisis and the shift to sustainable agriculture. We imagine a world where these crises are not just alleviated, but reversed, replenishing Earth's microbiomes.
Our solution has moved beyond the lab and into real-world deployment, focused on improving farmer livelihoods with teams in Rwanda, Europe, the United States, and expanding. When you join Oath, you become part of a collaborative network that prioritizes high quality scientific work. You will be working alongside trained scientists, talented commercial teams, and a broad network of partners-an ecosystem designed to help you do your best work and grow your capabilities.
Position Summary:
The Fermentation Scientist will develop, optimize, and scale microbial fermentation processes across submerged liquid fermentation (SmF), solid-state fermentation (SSF), and downstream processing (DSP). This role will have a particular focus on Streptomyces and will help translate laboratory processes into robust, scalable manufacturing processes.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Develop and optimize submerged liquid fermentation and solid-state fermentation processes.
  • Design and execute fermentation experiments from bench scale through scale-up.
  • Develop robust cultivation processes for Streptomyces and other microbial strains.
  • Optimize media, inoculum strategies, growth conditions, productivity, yield, and process consistency.
  • Develop and improve downstream processing (DSP) approaches for microbial biomass and product recovery.
  • Troubleshoot fermentation and DSP performance and identify key drivers of process variability.
  • Support process scale-up and technology transfer to internal manufacturing teams and external CDMOs.
  • Develop process documentation, protocols, batch records, and technical reports.
  • Analyze experimental and manufacturing data and translate findings into actionable process improvements.
  • Collaborate closely with microbiology, formulation, manufacturing, quality, and external partners.

Qualifications:
  • PhD with 1-5 years of relevant industry experience in microbiology, biotechnology, biochemical engineering, fermentation science, or a related field.
  • Hands-on experience with submerged liquid fermentation and solid-state fermentation.
  • Experience cultivating Streptomyces or closely related filamentous microorganisms.
  • Experience with downstream processing (DSP) and microbial biomass or product recovery.
  • Experience with fermentation scale-up and technology transfer is a plus.
  • Experience managing R&D vendors, CROs, CDMOs, or other external technical partners is a plus.
  • Ability to travel up to 10% of the time domestically and internationally (Europe & Africa).
  • Familiarity with GoogleSuite, Excel, Slack and similar tools is a plus

Location: Hybrid, Regular laboratory presence at Oath's Vacaville, California site (at least 3 days per week).
Job Type: Full-time, exempt position in the United States. At this time, Oath, Inc. is not able to provide visa sponsorship or work authorization support.
Compensation: $100,000 - $130,000/year + equity
Benefits:
  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Stock options

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