Description
Define, plan, and execute biofuels fermentation programs that optimize feedstocks, microbes, and bioprocesses for near-term, scalable commercial production.
- • Develop lab and pilot-scale fermentation models and scale-up strategies.
- • Build computational and data tools to optimize fermentation design and real-time control.
- • Provide technical guidance and training to fermentation scientists, engineers, and operators.
- • Oversee experimental designs, SOPs, and safety for fermentation R&D and operations.
- • Prepare fermentation performance, scale-up, and cost reports for leadership and partners.
- • Lead strain and enzyme optimization to increase titer, rate, and yield.
- • Partner with downstream processing to develop recovery and purification of fermented products.
- • Develop methods to recover ethanol or other volatiles from fermenter off-gas and broth.
- • Evaluate feedstock pretreatment effectiveness and inhibitor mitigation on fermentability.
- • Design and execute product recovery experiments linked to fermentation outputs.
- • Lead applied research on fermentation kinetics, mixing/aeration, oxygen transfer, and contamination control.
- • Collaborate on integration of fermentation with downstream upgrading or chemical conversion where required.
- • Conduct bench and pilot tests on biomass hydrolysates and nutrient strategies.
- • Test new feedstocks, microbes, and fermentation modes (batch, fed-batch, continuous).
- • Analyze fermentation data and mass balances to drive process improvements and troubleshoot deviations.
- • Oversee fermentation pilots, tech transfer to manufacturing, and commercialization trials.
- • Establish fermentation hygiene, CIP/SIP, biosafety, and process safety practices.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
