Sr Research Associate, Fermentation

The Fynder Group•Chicago, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Research Associate will design and conduct experiments for the Pilot Plant Organization in close collaboration with Fermentation Scientists and Engineers. The role involves owning experiments, tracking their progress, documenting process details and results, maintaining an organized workspace, and operating pilot-scale equipment across upstream and downstream activities as needed. The position also includes analyzing results, comparing them with controls, compiling and presenting data, authoring technical documents, and writing or editing standard operating procedures. The Associate may help set up new laboratory and pilot-scale equipment and perform basic troubleshooting of existing equipment. Because the work involves microbiology, the schedule may be flexible. Most work is on site at The Fynder Group Pilot Plant facilities. Minimal travel is required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering, Microbiology, Chemical Engineering, or a related life sciences discipline, with relevant industry experience.
2–4 years of relevant experience in fermentation development, microbial cell culture, or bioprocess engineering, depending on educational background and organizational requirements.
Experience in data analysis, process troubleshooting, experimental design, and interpretation of fermentation performance data.
Excellent technical writing skills, including preparation of accurate experimental records and presentation of process development findings.
Effective communication, teamwork, and collaboration skills for working with cross-functional teams, including upstream and downstream process development, analytical development, and operations.
Receptiveness to direction and constructive feedback, with the ability to apply learning and support team priorities.
Ability to lift 25 lb.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience with aseptic technique, sampling procedures, laboratory safety, and good documentation practices.
Exposure to downstream processing operations, including mechanical separation, filtration, and drying.
Experience supporting integrated upstream–downstream process development, scale-up, and technology transfer activities.
Familiarity with statistical tools, process characterization, and data-driven process optimization.
Ability to manage multiple experiments and contribute to project timelines through independent work.

Responsibilities

Independently plan, execute, and oversee complex fermentation operations across shake-flask, laboratory, and pilot scales with minimal supervision.
Monitor and record experiments, process conditions, and deviations.
Collect experiment samples using aseptic technique and conduct routine biological assays while maintaining data integrity.
Analyze experimental data, compile technical reports, and present findings to cross-functional teams.
Prepare equipment and media for experiments and assist with maintaining consumables, equipment parts, and supplies.
Support downstream process development, including harvest material transfer, provision of fermentation process data, and evaluation of downstream process performance.
Participate in end-to-end process development, including integrated upstream–downstream runs, process characterization, and troubleshooting to support process consistency, product quality, and scalability.
Plan and organize weekly and daily tasks according to the experimental schedule.
Maintain clean, safe, and functional equipment and work areas; participate in safety inspections and reviews.
Provide support to other scientists as needed based on time and testing requirements.
Apply critical thinking and problem-solving to address experimental issues.
Work independently and train additional personnel as needed.
Author technical documents and write or edit standard operating procedures.
Assist with setup of new laboratory and pilot-scale equipment and basic troubleshooting of existing equipment.