Fermentation Scientist II/III
Location: Chicago, IL and Argonne National Lab
Start date: ASAP
Hours: Full time in person, with flexibility for occasional remote work
About Hyfé:
At Hyfé, we envision a world with less waste and more abundant clean water. To get there, we are building a fermentation-powered platform to produce climate positive, essential goods. Our technology repurposes nutrient-rich side streams from food manufacturing to power fermentation at a lower cost and lower water and carbon footprint. Our first product is a mycelium protein powder which we are using to help companies make healthier food products.
We’re growing quickly, building a high-performing team that is driven by our mission and eager to take Hyfé to the next level. If this sounds like you, we’d love to talk.
The Role:
As fermentation scientist II/III, you will be playing a vital role in the development and scale up of our core process and the development of our broader fermentation platform. An ideal candidate has at least 5 years of experience in industrial fermentation and has worked with aerobic bioprocesses at bench and pilot scale. This role will design and execute the R&D plan for 2023-25 in collaboration with the fermentation team and will be responsible for using project management to achieve aggressive timelines. This position reports to our CTO and works primarily out of our Chicago headquarters, and as needed, Argonne National lab.
You are:
Ambitious, talented, and incredibly passionate about our mission. You think strategically, move swiftly, and take ownership over results. You are a great teammate who works hard and is comfortable encouraging others to think bigger about the impact we want to have on the world. You are excited to roll your sleeves up and help build a company from its early stages. You are ready to leave a legacy.
Qualifications:
At least a BS, and preferably a MS or PhD, in bioengineering, biology, biochemistry, chemical engineering, fermentation science or equivalent
At least 5 years of technical experience in the fermentation industry (R&D, operations, engineering)
Fermentation experience at lab, pilot, and ideally commercial scale
Strong project management skills; results-focused with impactful execution and follow-through; highly detail-oriented
Excellent communications skills and ability to work effectively with personnel at all levels including presenting to executive team and external audiences
Strong interpersonal skills
Comfortable executing in a fast paced, startup environment
Sound judgement when faced with uncertainty and ambiguity
Self-motivated by problem solving and inherent curiosity to understand how things work
Nice-to-haves (but not required):
Fermentation experience working with filamentous fungi
Food industry experience
Experience working in startups
Duties and responsibilities:
Design, execute, and analyze fermentation experiments and bioproduction runs in shake flasks, benchtop, and pilot bioreactors
Prepare, operate, troubleshoot, and maintain benchtop bioreactors
Understand, monitor, and manipulate key fermentation parameters
Thoroughly document fermentation information and learnings
Understand key options and challenges associated with bioprocess scale up, contributing bioprocess information necessary to develop PFD and TEA projections for both pilot and commercial stage
Author SOPs for all standard procedures related to fermentation
Contribute to development of safety systems and practices, taking ownership of safety for equipment, supplies, and reagents used in fermentation
Prioritize business goals in experimental design
Mentor/manage research assistants in execution of experimental plans
Work with feedstock, downstream, product, and business development teams advance technology commercialization
Benefits:
Competitive salary and equity
401k plan
15 days of vacation, in addition to paid holidays and sick leave
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Short-term & long-term disability coverage
Parental leave
At Hyfé, we’re looking for people with passion, ambition, and resilience. You’re encouraged to apply even if your experience doesn’t precisely match the job description. We’re expecting your skills and passion to stand out—and set you apart—especially if your career has taken some extraordinary twists and turns.
Equal Employment Opportunity: Hyfé is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Successful applicants for this position must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Vaccine verification will be required prior to the start of employment.