Scientist – Microbial Fermentation & Process Development

Pay Rate: Up to $52.00/hour
Assignment Length: 1–2 year contract
Work Arrangement: Onsite, Charles City, IA
Relocation: Candidates requiring relocation may be considered

Position Overview

An established global animal-health organization is seeking a hands-on Scientist to support the development and optimization of a microbial fermentation process used in the production of animal vaccine antigens.

This is an experimentally driven process-development opportunity focused on improving fermentation performance, product potency, and overall process yield. The scientist will lead laboratory-scale studies, operate and troubleshoot bench-scale bioreactors, evaluate process variables, and translate experimental findings into practical manufacturing improvements.

The work will primarily focus on upstream process development, with additional involvement in downstream recovery and purification activities, including depth filtration and chromatography.

You will work independently while collaborating closely with experienced subject matter experts (SMEs), analytical scientists, and manufacturing partners at another biologics manufacturing site within the organization's global network. This is an opportunity to apply advanced scientific knowledge to a meaningful process-development challenge and help establish a more consistent, robust, and scalable vaccine antigen manufacturing process.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, design, and lead upstream process-development experiments to improve microbial fermentation performance, product potency, yield, and consistency.

• Conduct bench-scale fermentation studies and systematically evaluate process parameters that influence microbial growth and product performance.

• Operate, monitor, and troubleshoot laboratory-scale bioreactors and fermenters.

• Apply appropriate aseptic laboratory techniques and maintain accurate experimental records and process documentation.

• Evaluate fermentation outcomes using relevant microbial growth, process-performance, yield, and potency measurements.

• Analyze experimental data, identify process limitations, and develop scientifically supported recommendations for improvement.

• Support downstream process optimization, including depth filtration, chromatography, and other applicable antigen recovery and purification steps.

• Evaluate how upstream fermentation conditions influence downstream recovery, process efficiency, and product quality.

• Collaborate with analytical, quality, and manufacturing teams to strengthen process understanding and support scale-up and manufacturing readiness.

• Partner with technical SMEs at a sister biologics manufacturing site to exchange findings, align experimental priorities, and support knowledge transfer.

• Prepare experimental protocols, technical reports, presentations, and other documentation in accordance with applicable laboratory, biosafety, and quality requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Microbiology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Biological Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.

• Candidates with a master's degree and at least five years of directly relevant industry or research experience will also be considered.

• Hands-on experience with microbial cultivation, fermentation, or a closely related biological process.

• Practical experience operating or working with bioreactors, fermenters, or controlled microbial cultivation systems.

• Experience designing and executing laboratory experiments, analyzing quantitative results, and communicating scientific conclusions.

• Working knowledge of aseptic laboratory practices and appropriate experimental documentation.

• Ability to independently manage experimental projects, troubleshoot technical challenges, and communicate findings effectively.

• Strong collaboration and communication skills, particularly when working across scientific and manufacturing teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Postdoctoral research experience or comparable experience independently leading an advanced experimental research or process-development project.

• Direct experience cultivating or fermenting Mycoplasma species.

• Additional experience with bacterial or other microbial fermentation systems.

• Demonstrated success optimizing upstream process parameters to improve product potency, yield, consistency, or process robustness.

• Hands-on experience with bench-scale bioreactors, fermenters, and fermentation process monitoring.

• Experience with downstream processing, particularly depth filtration, chromatography, and biological antigen recovery or purification.

• Familiarity with Design of Experiments (DoE), statistical analysis, and structured process optimization.

• Understanding of microbial physiology and how growth characteristics and cultivation conditions influence product performance.

• Experience with process scale-up, technology transfer, or transitioning laboratory-developed processes toward manufacturing.

• Exposure to GLP, GMP, or other regulated laboratory and manufacturing environments.

Work Environment & Collaboration

This is an onsite, laboratory-based position within a collaborative bioprocess-development environment. The scientist will balance independent experimental work with regular technical collaboration across scientific, analytical, and manufacturing functions.

A successful candidate will bring strong scientific fundamentals, hands-on fermentation experience, experimental curiosity, and the ability to turn complex data into actionable process improvements.

Additional Assignment Details:

• Initial contract duration of 1–2 years.

• Compensation up to $52.00/hour.

• Onsite work arrangement.

• Relocation candidates may be considered.

Pay Details: $45.00 to $52.00 per hour

Benefit offerings available for our associates include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, EAP program, commuter benefits and a 401K plan. Our benefit offerings provide employees the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their individual needs. In addition, our associates may be eligible for paid leave including Paid Sick Leave or any other paid leave required by Federal, State, or local law, as well as Holiday pay where applicable.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Military connected talent encouraged to apply

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The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Massachusetts Candidates Only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.