Microbial fermentation engineers support API and natural products projects through all phases of late-stage development, commercialization, and product life cycle. This position is responsible for ensuring that processes can be run safely, addressing scale-up issues and developing and implementing robust API process steps from the lab to a manufacturing environment. The microbiologist or engineer is responsible for late-stage process development, assessing key unit operations (e.g., microbial fermentations, tangential flow filtration, chromatography) for process robustness, scientific understanding, and potential scale-up risks. Effective cross-functional interactions with other functions (e.g., technical, quality, regulatory) and on-site manufacturing personnel are key for successful job performance.

Purpose:

Develop scalable and robust engineering processes for key modalities (e.g., small molecule APIs, antibody drug conjugates, and natural products). Demonstrate technical expertise and strong communication skills in a multidisciplinary environment. Investigate, identify, develop, and optimize new methods and techniques. Develop productive collaborations and communications with other groups across science disciplines.

Responsibilities:

• Leverage core microbiological and chemical engineering principles (plasmid design, fermentation process development, transport phenomena, thermodynamics, mathematical modeling) in experimental design, thought process in problem-solving, and data analysis.
• Routinely demonstrate scientific initiative and creativity in research or development activities.
• Maintain autonomous and productive performance in laboratory experimentation, pilot plant, and/or manufacturing support space, requiring only minimal direction from or interaction with supervisor.
• Formulate conclusions and design follow-on experiments based on multidisciplinary data.
• Pursue areas of investigation that are scientifically impactful to development and pipeline programs or current commercial programs.  Effective investigation and troubleshooting of product failures and recommendations for remediation.
• Author publications, presentations, technical reports, regulatory documents, and/or patents.
• Demonstrate high proficiency across a wide range of relevant technologies.
• Understand and adhere to corporate standards regarding code of conduct, safety, appropriate handling of materials, controlled drug and radioactive compounds, and GxP compliance.
• Be a subject matter expert to other functions within the project team. Anticipate, recognize, and resolve problems while functioning as the technical expert on cross functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• BS, MS, or PhD in microbiology, fermentation development, chemical engineering or a related field and 8+ (BS), 4+ (MS), or 0+ (PhD) years of relevant industrial experience.
• Possesses excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Possess thorough theoretical and practical understanding of own scientific discipline.

Key Leadership Competencies:

• Builds strong relationships with peers and cross-functionally with partners outside of team to enable higher performance.
• Learns fast, understands key objectives, and can change course quickly where indicated.
• Raises the bar and is never satisfied with the status quo.
• Creates a learning environment, open to suggestions and experimentation for improvement, while establishing and maintaining project operation criteria and technical standards of excellence.
• Embraces the ideas of others, nurtures innovation, and manages the transition from innovation to implementation.
• Demonstrates excellent technical and personal mentorship of others
• Job level will be commensurate with academic experience and work experience