Nature’s Fynd is a Chicago-based food company creating versatile alternative proteins to nourish the world’s growing population while nurturing the planet. Born out of research conducted for NASA on microbes in Yellowstone National Park, the company’s breakthrough technology produces Fy™. Fy is a new-to-the-world, nutritional fungi protein that only uses a fraction of the resources required by traditional agriculture. We use Fy to make delicious, nutritious, and sustainable meat and dairy alternatives.
Nature’s Fynd is a groundbreaking food tech company born out of NASA-supported research on extremophiles in the geothermal pools of Yellowstone National Park. Our novel fermentation technology produces a sustainable source of complete protein using only a fraction of the resources required by traditional agriculture. As the challenge to feed the world’s expanding population grows, our mission is to create amazing foods and materials that provide sustainable choices and nurture the planet.
We’re looking for passionate, driven, and ambitious people to join our fast-growing team.
As the Liquid Fermentation Scientist at Nature’s Fynd, you will be a key member of the Pilot
Plant team in the Process and Technology area responsible for process development, scaling
up, and optimizing our fermentation process. You will be responsible for bringing innovation to
our fermentation processes while also increasing productivity, and product quality through
experimentation and design. The position will interface with internal R&D, Engineering, and
Manufacturing teams as well as CMOs.
Duties and Responsibilities
Design and execute fermentation operating strategies and process control strategies based on strong understanding of biochemical engineering principlesPlan and execute fermentation experimental design (lab, pilot & industrial scale) ensuring safety, effectiveness and efficiencyCollect, analyze and interpret experimental (lab, pilot & industrial scale), and actual production dataOversee equipment selection, modification, procurement, installation, and start-up in relation to fermentationServe as the technical lead with respect to submerged fermentation manufacturing scale-up and operationsWork with existing R&D and Engineering team to develop and implement optimized and scalable downstream process technologiesCommunicate with key stakeholders in R&D, engineering, manufacturing, and relevant third parties. Prepare mass balances, process flow diagrams, technical, experimental reports, techno-economic feasibility assessments for communicating work outcomes and future recommendations economic analysis, SOPsIdentify and implement best practices in fermentation scale-up and technology deploymentOther duties as determined by business needsSubmerged Fermentation Scientist Requirements
PhD in bioprocess, chemical, or biological engineering or MS with 10+ years in a fermentation process development or engineering role, supporting piloting, scale-up, and manufacturing, ideally in a food manufacturing environmentApplied knowledge in microbial physiology, aseptic technique, statistics, fermenter /bioreactor design, process data analytics, control and automationDemonstrated hands on experience of pilot and industrial scale fermentation of food ingredients
In depth technical knowledge and extensive hands-on experience with:
Fermentation processesScale-up/scale-down techniques and equipmentFermentation and bioreactor modelingStatistical analysis and experience leveraging statistical software for experimental design and process optimizationDownstream processing design and equipment selection preferredTechnology transfer
Nice-to-Have
Experience with fungal fermentationsLiquid Fermentation Scientist Qualifications
Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skillsEmphasis on personal transparency and accountabilityComfortable working in a start-up environmentSound judgment when faced with uncertainty and ambiguitySelf-motivated by problem solving and inherent curiosity to understand how things workPersonal Qualifications
Emphasize personal transparency and accountabilityComfortable working in a startup environment, embrace entrepreneurship and have enthusiasm for innovationSelf-motivated with the ability to work independently & with a teamAbility to manage workflow for multiple projects and tasksDetail oriented, organized and capacity to meet deadlinesAbility to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, across organizational functionsExhibit strong sense of professional and personal integrityInherent curiosity and creativity in solving problems to understand how things workAbility to handle and maintain the confidentiality of highly sensitive informationVersatility, flexibility and willingness to work enthusiastically within changing prioritiesBenefits
Participation in Employee Stock Ownership Program100% paid employee benefitsAbility to join a company with aggressive growth trajectory