Scientist

Job Description

Job Summary:

• Global Manufacturing Technology (GMT) is seeking a hands-on, postdoctoral-level scientist to improve the potency and yield of a Mycoplasma fermentation process.
• The work will emphasize upstream process optimization and include downstream processing, including depth filtration and chromatography.
• The scientist will design and execute rigorous experiments, interpret process and analytical data, and translate findings into practical process improvements.
• The role will partner closely with subject matter experts (SMEs) at a sister biologics site within global manufacturing and supply network.
• It is an opportunity for an independent, collaborative researcher to apply strong scientific fundamentals to a meaningful process-development challenge and help advance a robust, scalable animal vaccine antigen manufacturing process.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Plan and lead upstream studies to improve Mycoplasma fermentation performance, with emphasis on product potency and process yield.
• Design and execute bench-scale fermentation experiments; evaluate relevant process variables and use structured experimental approaches to identify key drivers of performance.
• Operate and troubleshoot laboratory bioreactors and maintain appropriate aseptic technique and process documentation.
• Characterize fermentation outcomes using appropriate growth, process, yield, and potency measurements; analyze results and communicate clear recommendations.
• Optimize and assess downstream recovery steps, including depth filtration and chromatography, and understand how upstream conditions affect downstream performance and product quality.
• Work with analytical, quality, and manufacturing colleagues to plan studies, interpret results, and support process understanding, scale-up, and manufacturing readiness.
• Collaborate closely with SMEs at the sister biologics site; share data and technical learning, align on process-development priorities, and support knowledge transfer across the global network.
• Prepare protocols, reports, presentations, and other technical documentation in accordance with applicable laboratory, biosafety, and quality requirements.

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in microbiology, biotechnology, biochemistry, biological engineering, chemical engineering, or a related discipline; Candidates with a master’s degree and 5+ years of directly relevant experience may also be considered.
• Hands-on research or process-development experience in microbial cultivation, fermentation, or a closely related biological process.
• Experience planning and executing experiments, interpreting quantitative data, and communicating conclusions in writing and verbally.
• Practical familiarity with aseptic laboratory practices and bioreactor or controlled-culture operations.
• Ability to work independently while building productive relationships across scientific, technical, and manufacturing teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Postdoctoral research experience or equivalent experience leading an independent, experimentally driven project.
• Experience with Mycoplasma cultivation or fermentation; experience with bacterial or other microbial fermentation is also valuable.
• Experience optimizing upstream process conditions to improve potency, yield, consistency, or robustness.
• Hands-on experience or working knowledge of downstream recovery and purification, particularly depth filtration and chromatography.
• Familiarity with design of experiments (DoE), process scale-up, technology transfer, and/or GLP or GMP environments.
• Experience with fermentation scale-up and an understanding of scale-dependent process considerations.
• Strong understanding of bacterial physiology and how growth state and process conditions influence fermentation performance.
• Hands-on experience with process-development instrumentation, including bench-scale bioreactors and fermenters.

Work Environment:

• This is a collaborative laboratory-based role in a dynamic process-development environment.
• The scientist will balance independent experimental work with frequent technical interaction across sites and functions.
• Success will require scientific curiosity, sound judgment, strong analytical skills, and a focus on translating experimental learning into actionable process improvements.