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Senior Fermentation Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Work with a team of fermentation scientists, downstream process engineers, formulations scientists, microbial engineers and analytical chemists to develop sustainable biorational solutions within the ...

We are seeking a Fermentation Engineer II or Senior Fermentation Engineer to be a part of our process development team. This role focuses on fermentation science and development to bring new ...

We are seeking a Fermentation Engineer II or Senior Fermentation Engineer to be a part of our process development team. This role focuses on fermentation science and development to bring new ...

We are seeking a Fermentation Engineer II or Senior Fermentation Engineer to be a part of our process development team. This role focuses on fermentation science and development to bring new ...

Senior Scientist

Lincoln, NE · On-site

$79K - $123K/yr

Senior Scientist, Research & Development Location: Lincoln, Nebraska (Onsite) Schedule: Monday ... Experience with fermentation, bioreactors, upstream processing, downstream processing, and ...

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Senior Fermentation Scientist information

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$66.5K

$110.5K

$164.5K

How much do senior fermentation scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior fermentation scientist in the United States is $110,545.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $91,500.00 and $125,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a senior fermentation scientist do?

A Senior Fermentation Scientist is responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing fermentation processes used in industries such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and food production. They lead research projects, supervise junior staff, and analyze experimental data to improve yield, efficiency, and quality of fermented products. Additionally, they collaborate with cross-functional teams to scale up laboratory processes to industrial production. Their expertise is crucial in troubleshooting issues and implementing new technologies in fermentation.

What opportunities for cross-functional collaboration can a senior fermentation scientist expect in their daily work?

As a Senior Fermentation Scientist, you will frequently collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams including microbiologists, process engineers, quality assurance specialists, and product development teams. This collaboration is crucial for scaling up fermentation processes, troubleshooting production challenges, and ensuring product consistency. You may also work closely with R&D and manufacturing departments to transfer lab-scale findings to pilot or full-scale operations, providing technical expertise and guidance throughout the process. Such teamwork not only enhances project outcomes but also offers valuable opportunities for professional growth and learning from diverse experts within the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior fermentation scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Fermentation Scientist, you need a strong background in microbiology, biochemistry, and fermentation process development, typically supported by a relevant advanced degree (e.g., MSc or PhD). Experience with bioreactor systems, analytical instrumentation (such as HPLC or GC), and familiarity with industry-standard software and regulatory practices are important. Leadership, problem-solving, and effective communication skills help in managing projects, guiding teams, and collaborating across departments. These skills are crucial for optimizing fermentation processes, ensuring product quality, and driving innovation in competitive industrial and research environments.

What is the difference between Senior Fermentation Scientist vs Fermentation Technician?

AspectSenior Fermentation Scientist
QualificationsBachelor's or Master's in Microbiology, Biochemistry, or related field; extensive experience in fermentation research
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, R&D departments, biotech companies
ResponsibilitiesDesigning experiments, analyzing data, developing fermentation processes, overseeing projects
FocusInnovation, process optimization, scientific research

The Senior Fermentation Scientist typically holds advanced degrees and leads research projects, focusing on process development and innovation. In contrast, a Fermentation Technician performs routine fermentation operations, monitoring processes, and maintaining equipment. The roles differ mainly in scope, expertise, and responsibilities, with the Senior Fermentation Scientist playing a strategic research role and the technician executing day-to-day tasks.

More about Senior Fermentation Scientist jobs

What cities are hiring for Senior Fermentation Scientist jobs?

Cities with the most Senior Fermentation Scientist job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Fermentation Scientist jobs?

The most popular types of Fermentation Scientist jobs are:

What states have the most Senior Fermentation Scientist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Senior Fermentation Scientist jobs include:

Infographic showing various Senior Fermentation Scientist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,545 per year, or $53.1 per hour.

Senior Fermentation Scientist

Libertyville, IL • On-site

$120 - $180/hr

Other

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

  • Lead internal upstream process development efforts at the Sumitomo Biorational Company Biorational Research Center by conducting fermentation experiments in laboratory- and pilot-scale bioreactors.
  • Evaluate the performance of microbial strain candidates by analysis and interpretation of fermentation data.
  • Work with a team of fermentation scientists, downstream process engineers, formulations scientists, microbial engineers and analytical chemists to develop sustainable biorational solutions within the expanding field of BioAgriculture.
  • Design and implement upstream processes to optimize strain performance of bacterial and fungal microorganisms to produce microbial products, metabolites and proteins.
  • Mentor junior team members by training safe and proper use of fermentation and analytical equipment required to execute process development and improvement experiments.
  • Provide guidance to research associates and support their professional development.
  • Take primary responsibility for the operation and troubleshooting of pilot scale fermentation equipment.
  • Design scale up and scale down experiments to execute seamless technology transfer between Research and Manufacturing operations.
  • Build strong relationships with supporting research departments and deliver fermentations on time or ahead of schedule to biology, downstream processing, formulations, and product development teams.
  • Travel to manufacturing site to launch new fermentation processes and troubleshoot current commercial processes.
  • Maintain and further develop collaborative relationship with the pilot and production fermentation team at the manufacturing site.
  • Execute sophisticated process development experiments utilizing statistical tools to ensure process robustness.
  • Work alongside data scientists, IT, and engineering to build and maintain a digital system to organize and archive run data and electronic batch records.
  • Maintain and update laboratory data and documents including electronic lab notebook and SOPs.
  • Conduct all work in strict compliance with all applicable safety requirements, containment requirements, standards operating procedures and/or guidelines while maintaining a clean and orderly workspace.
  • Work both independently and with interdisciplinary research teams while maintaining a positive and collaborative environment.
Requirements
  • Expertise in culturing microorganisms, including filamentous fungi, to increase metabolite productivity using aseptic techniques
  • Hands‑on experience using lab‑scale or pilot‑scale SIP bioreactor systems for microbial cultivations and metabolite production, particularly with non‑model bacterial and fungal organisms
  • Experience training junior scientists in the use of fermentation equipment and execution of process development experiments
  • High degree of competency in the Microsoft Office 365 suite and statistical analysis software
  • Strong communication, presentation, and listening skills in cross‑functional teams
  • Willingness to foster a culture of diversity and inclusion
  • Able to lift up to 25 lbs
  • Degree in Fermentation Science, Chemical/Biochemical/Biosystems Engineering, or closely related field with industrial fermentation experience (5 years with PhD, 8 years with MS, 12+ years with BS).
Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in upstream process development and fermentation science, with a strong focus on optimizing microbial strain performance and mentoring junior scientists. Proficient in utilizing statistical tools for process robustness and maintaining compliance with safety and operational standards.

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