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Senior Fermentation Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Again

Sr. Production Process Engineer

Texas City, TX · On-site

$89K - $115K/yr

We are a growing team of experienced scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs from the DTU, Stanford ... Oversee production engineering for TXS-1, Again's first commercial gas fermentation plant * Manage ...

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Senior Fermentation Scientist information

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How much do senior fermentation scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 19, 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 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.
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What cities are hiring for Senior Fermentation Scientist jobs? Cities with the most Senior Fermentation Scientist job openings:
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Senior Fermentation Scientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Fermentation Scientist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 2% Contract, 1% Nights, and 9% Summer. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,545 per year, or $53.1 per hour.
Scientist II, Upstream Development for Protein Development and Manufacturing

Scientist II, Upstream Development for Protein Development and Manufacturing

Vaxcyte

San Carlos, CA • On-site

$146K - $171K/yr

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

Join our Mission to Protect Humankind!
Vaxcyte is a clinical-stage vaccine innovation company engineering high-fidelity vaccines to protect humankind from the consequences of bacterial diseases, which have serious and costly health consequences when left unchecked. Working to eradicate or treat bacterial infections such as invasive pneumococcal disease, Group A Strep, and Shigella is just the beginning. Our path to success is clear and well-defined, and Vaxcyte is set up to go the distance.
WHAT we do is every bit as important as HOW we do it! Our work together is guided by four enduring core values:
*RETHINK CONVENTION: We bring creative and intellectual diversity to every facet of the work we do in order to innovate and re-innovate the way vaccines are delivered.
*AIM HIGH: We embody our collectively audacious goal to courageously make the most complex biologics ever attempted to protect humankind.
*LEAD WITH HEART: Everyone leads at Vaxcyte with a kindness-first, inclusive approach to collaboration and vigorous debate that advances our business objectives.
*MODEL EXCELLENCE: The magnitude of our challenge requires our shared commitment to demonstrating integrity, accountability, equality and clarity across communications and decision making.
Summary:
Vaxcyte is seeking a talented and experienced Scientist II, to join the Upstream Process Development group within the Protein Development and CMC team. This is an exciting opportunity to join an outstanding team pursuing bacterial fermentation development at Vaxcyte.
The successful candidate will have the following skills and qualities:
  • A skilled upstream scientist with expertise in developing and characterizing bacterial fermentation processes for protein production.
  • Hands-on experience operating and maintaining bioreactors, including Ambr® 250, at laboratory scale.
  • Experience with pilot scale fermentation and recovery equipment is a plus.
  • Skillful in analyzing and presenting data for process improvements, troubleshooting, and optimization.
  • An exceptional team player who works seamlessly with others, speaks up, and remains focused on achieving the best results to achieve company goals.
  • An experienced scientist who works with growing independence, collaborates across functional teams, and mentors junior colleagues.
  • Strong organizational and planning skills.
Essential Functions:
  • Contribute significantly to the development and characterization of upstream fermentation processes.
  • Serve as a primary technical contributor to operational activities related to bioreactor set-up, monitoring, harvest, and maintenance.
  • Develop, test, and implement recipe scripting for fed-batch fermentation feeding controls.
  • Provide engineering support for design, implementation, and qualification of scale-down models.
  • Author SOPs (standard operating procedure), process flow diagrams and batch records.
  • Analyze and present fermentation data at internal project meetings. Participate in upstream database management and documentation in electronic notebooks.
  • Collaborate with Downstream Process Development, Pilot Plant, MSAT, or Analytical Development as needed.
  • Provide guidance or mentorship to junior team members.
Requirements:
  • PhD with 2-5 years, MS with 7 years, or BA/BS with a minimum of 10 years of relevant Pharma/Biotech industry experience. Other combinations of education and/or experience may be considered.
  • Strong scientific background and hands-on experience with fermentation and/or primary recovery unit operations.
  • Good understanding in fundamentals of bioreactor design, operation and controls.
  • Strong knowledge of aseptic techniques
  • Mechanical and technical knowledge of primary recovery unit operations such as homogenization, centrifugation, and depth filtration, is a plus
  • Understanding of fermentation scale up and development of scale down models
  • Familiarity with DoE (Design of Experiments) principles and software.
  • Familiarity with regulatory requirements of biotherapeutics. Late-stage process characterization experience is a plus.

Reports to: Senior Scientist, Upstream Development and Manufacturing
Location: San Carlos, CA
Work Arrangement (may be adjusted based on business needs, job responsibilities, or changes to company policy):
Onsite (5 days per week onsite)
Compensation:
The compensation package will be competitive and includes comprehensive benefits and an equity component.
Salary Range: $146,000 - $171,000
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.
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About Vaxcyte

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Biotechnology research and development

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

San Carlos, CA, US

Year founded

2013

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