Application Instructions: 

Send a copy of your CV and a cover letter to talent@essentialimpact.org. Include your name, the title of the job in the subject line, and identify whether you are interested in coming on as consultant, full-time employee, or both.

‍

Fermentation Scientist  

‍

Essential is a new bioscience organization creating breakthrough solutions to tackle malnutrition  and transform food systems. We are leveraging advances in fermentation to convert agricultural  byproducts into affordable, accessible, and climate-resilient proteins that can be integrated into  products to tackle malnutrition. Our goal is to catalyze a new model of climate-resilient protein  

production in Sub-Saharan Africa and build a bioscience R&D engine in East Africa. We are  currently building a pilot plant in Nairobi with an R&D lab.  

Essential was founded on the belief that advances in the sciences hold potential to transform the  most important global problems. We are a passionate and fast-paced team focused on generating  breakthrough solutions for the world’s poor. We are audacious in our vision, ambitious in our  thinking, and rigorous and humble in our approach. We have a presence in San Francisco, Nairobi,  and Addis Ababa. 

Essential is recruiting a Fermentation Scientist who will be responsible for research, development  and optimization of our protein production processes, fungi physiology, fermentation media  formulation, process conditions. The Fermentation Scientist will collaborate closely with Essential’s  Chief Technology Officer, current Fermentation Scientist, and operations team to improve our  fermentation processes, biomass growth, and protein expression. This is an exciting opportunity to  apply your expertise in fungal fermentation to the most important global health problems of our  time. 

We are recruiting for consultants as well as full time employees for this role. Key Roles & Responsibilities 

● Fermentation process development: 

        ○ Design, develop, and optimize fungal fermentation processes, including media  formulation, fermentation conditions (temperature, pH, DO), and bioreactor               operations to achieve desired product yields and quality. 

         ○ Review current processes and data and provide feedback on areas for  

             improvements. 

         ○ Optimize fungal fermentation feedstock and media composition to improve  productivity, biomass growth, and product yield. 

         ○ Compile the growth conditions for the selected fungi microbes and identify any risks  or safety concerns for these microbes. 

● Improve our product yield and quality through continuous monitoring and analysis of our  fermentation processes.  

● Design and implement quality control measures to meet regulatory and industry standards.

● Develop workflows for lab operations and work closely with our research and  manufacturing partners and consultants. 

● Develop our tech transfer and pilot-scale protocols and review data to ensure that the  operations team implements the process according to the protocol.

● Scale up our fermentation process by analyzing data, documenting results, developing SOPs  and drafting tech-transfer documents. 

● Perform and oversee analytical testing of fermentation samples to assess protein  concentration, quality, purity, and functionality. 

● Collaborate with cross functional teams to make sure that the fermentation process is  aligned with Essential’s goals and objectives. 

● Conduct additional literature reviews as relevant to identify the most promising fungi for  protein production. 

● Provide technical support for new product development. 

● Communicate and share scientific findings with the other team members. 

Experience & Skills 

● PhD in Microbiology, Bioprocess/Chemical Engineering a focus in fungal biology, molecular  biology, bioengineering or a related field, or a master’s with commensurate experience in  industry. 

● Work experience in industry in fungal fermentation technology, bioengineering, or protein  production is required. 

● Strong technical knowledge in microbial/fungal metabolism and fermentation development.

● Knowledge of safety and environment regulations for fungal proteins. 

● Strong analytic, research and problem-solving skills. 

● Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. 

● Passion for building high-impact, scalable organizations in East Africa. 

● Comfort in making fast-paced strategic pivots and navigating teams through uncertainty and  ambiguity. 

Application Instructions: 

Send a copy of your CV and a cover letter to talent@essentialimpact.org. Include your name, the title of the job in the subject line, and identify whether you are interested in coming on as consultant, full-time employee, or both.

‍

‍