Fermentation Scientist

Job Description

At Syngenta, our goal is to build the most collaborative and trustworthy team in agriculture, providing top-quality seeds and innovative crop protection solutions that improve farmers' success. To support this mission, Syngenta’s Research Biologicals Team is seeking a Fermentation Scientist in Durham, NC, USA.
This role will support the execution of bioprocess work for pipeline projects in accordance with assigned targets, timelines, and company procedures. It will provide technical expertise to drive the development of microbial-based products from the lab through pilot scale.

Accountabilities:

• Experimental Execution: Design and conduct fermentation experiments with both glass and stainless-steel bioreactors, from 100 ml to 30 L.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Actively collaborate within the team and create connections with scientists across other research teams in the company.
• Kinetics & Analysis: Perform studies on basic fermentation kinetics and interpret data to drive process improvements.
• Scale-up & Validation: Support the scale-up and validation of microbial processes, ensuring successful transition from lab to pilot environments.
• Innovation: Implement new technologies, such as automation devices and AI tools, to enhance research efficiency.
• Documentation: Draft experimental protocols, technical reports, and contribute to data digitalization.
• External Support: Assist in technical interactions with scientific partners, such as universities, CROs, and CMOs.

Qualifications

Required:

• Education: Master’s degree or PhD in Biotechnology, Microbiology, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific field.
• Technical Experience: Proven hands-on experience in microbial fermentation (bacteria, fungi, or yeast) and downstream processing (e.g., centrifugation, filtration, freeze-drying).
• Professional Experience: 2–3 years of experience in an industrial R&D environment (Biotechnology, Ag-Tech, or Pharma), with a demonstrated ability to work within corporate structures and project management frameworks.
• Equipment Proficiency: Experience operating lab-scale and/or pilot-scale bioreactors and associated analytical tools.
• Methodology: Familiarity with Design of Experiments (DoE) and statistical data analysis.
• Soft Skills: Strong collaborative mindset, detail-oriented documentation skills, and the ability to work in a multi-site, international environment.

Additional Information

What We Offer: 

• A culture that celebrates belonging and collaboration, promotes professional development and strives for a work-life balance that supports the team members. Offers flexible work options to support your work and personal needs. 
• Full Benefit Package (Medical, Dental & Vision) that starts your first day. 
• 401k plan with company match, Profit Sharing & Retirement Savings Contribution. 
• Paid Vacation, Paid Holidays, Maternity and Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs, Corporate Discounts, among other benefits. 

Syngenta has been ranked as a top employer by Science Journal. Learn more about our team and our mission here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVCN_51GbNI 

Syngenta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. 

WL: 4B

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