Vice President, Upstream Process Development

Responsibilities

• Drive the strategic plan for commercializing the upstream process and execute the roadmap to demonstration and commercial scales
• Develop scale-down processes informed by commercial-scale goals
• Direct the development of robust analytical and process monitoring methods
• Design and manage critical fermentation experiments with external partners
• Lead process characterization, optimization, and control to enable scale-up and technology transfer
• Leverage bioprocess design knowledge to inform techno-economic models
• Evaluate and audit external partners for fermentation capabilities
• Lead design requirements and manage on-site implementation of the upstream process at the demonstration facility

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Fermentation Science, Microbiology Physiology, or related field
• 5+ years in a fermentation R&D role
• Deep knowledge of fermentation science, biochemical engineering, and cellular physiology
• Hands-on experience with media optimization, process design, and dynamic control strategies
• Strong communication skills and ability to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment
• Self-starter mindset with a growth mindset

Preferred Qualifications

• Commercial-scale fermentation experience
• Experience with yeast
• Expertise with statistical software (JMP, R, Minitab, etc.)
• Experience promoting strains from small-scale screening to bioreactors

About the Company

Bluestem Biosciences uses American corn and existing bioethanol infrastructure to produce critical chemicals domestically through a proprietary biomanufacturing process.