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Senior Fermentation Scientist Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Senior Fermentation Scientist information

See Indiana salary details

$63.3K

$105.2K

$156.5K

How much do senior fermentation scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior fermentation scientist in Indiana is $105,190.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,100.00 and $118,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 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 job categories do people searching Senior Fermentation Scientist jobs in Indiana look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Fermentation Scientist jobs in Indiana are:

What cities in Indiana are hiring for Senior Fermentation Scientist jobs?

Cities in Indiana with the most Senior Fermentation Scientist job openings:

Harvest & Enology Internship

Oliver Winery

Bloomington, IN • On-site

Internship

Posted 3 days ago

New


Oliver Winery rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

16th of 438 rated food and drinks producers


Job description

Description

Oliver Winery is seeking a motivated undergraduate student to join our production team as a Harvest & Enology Intern for the Fall 2026 season. This internship is designed for a senior studying biology and environmental science who is exploring a future career as an enologist (winemaker/wine scientist). The intern will work alongside our winemaking and cellar staff through the critical harvest period and into fermentation and early winemaking, gaining hands-on exposure to the world of commercial wine production.

Internship Details

  • Dates: August 25, 2026 - December 18, 2026
  • Hours: 15-20 hours per week (schedule adjusted around harvest workload and the student's class schedule)
  • Total hours: 150 hours required for academic credit
  • Compensation: Paid, hourly position. Academic credit may be available and can be arranged with the student's university department/advisor to run concurrently with paid hours.
  • Location: Oliver Winery production facility, Bloomington, Indiana

What You'll Do

  • Assist with grape receiving, sorting, and crush operations during harvest
  • Collect samples and perform routine lab analysis (Brix, pH, titratable acidity, malic acid, and related fermentation metrics)
  • Monitor and record fermentation progress across tanks, including temperature, sugar depletion, and sensory observations.
  • Support cellar operations such as pump-overs, pressing, racking, and tank and other winery equipment sanitation
  • Assist with lab maintenance, calibration of instruments, and accurate record-keeping/data entry
  • Help track and interpret quality control data to support winemaking decisions
  • Learn about the environmental and agricultural factors (soil, climate, viticulture practices) that influence grape and wine quality, connecting classroom knowledge in biology and environmental science to real production outcomes
  • Participate in team meetings and shadow winemaking staff to understand the full path from vineyard to bottle
  • Follow all food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety protocols


Requirements

Qualifications

  • Currently enrolled as a senior (rising senior or final-year undergraduate) pursuing a degree in Fermentation Science, Biology, Environmental Science, or a closely related field
  • Genuine interest in pursuing enology, winemaking, or a related career path
  • Coursework or lab experience in chemistry, microbiology, or environmental science preferred
  • Comfortable working outdoors and in a fast-paced production environment during harvest, including some early mornings, evenings, weekends, and physically active tasks (lifting up to 50 lbs, standing for extended periods)
  • Strong attention to detail and comfort with data collection and record-keeping
  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
  • Must be 21 or older (legal drinking age)
  • Reliable transportation to the Bloomington facility

Preferred (Not Required)

  • Prior experience in a lab, food/beverage production, or agricultural setting
  • Familiarity with basic chemistry techniques (titration, spectrophotometry, etc.)
  • Interest in eventually pursuing graduate study or certification in enology/viticulture

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the internship, the student will have direct, hands-on experience with the harvest-to-fermentation process, foundational lab skills used in commercial winemaking, and a clearer understanding of what a career in enology involves - knowledge that can inform graduate school or job decisions after graduation.

Academic Credit

This internship is structured to meet a 150-hour requirement for academic credit. Oliver Winery is happy to work with the student's university (advisor, internship coordinator, or department) on any required paperwork, learning agreements, or supervisor evaluations.

How to Apply

Interested students should submit a resume and a brief statement of interest describing their academic background and why they're interested in enology. Applications should be submitted as soon as possible, as the position begins August 25, 2026.


 
This document is confidential and contains proprietary information and intellectual property of Oliver Winery, Inc. Disclosure, copying, distribution or use of this document and the information contained therein is strictly prohibited. 2025 OLIVER WINERY & VINEYARDS, BLOOMINGTON, IN 47404 | OLIVER IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF OLIVER WINE COMPANY, INC. EOE 


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