Scientist 2 - Fermentation

CPI helps make great ideas and inventions a reality. We’re a team of intelligent people using advances in science and technology to solve the biggest global challenges in healthcare and sustainability.

Through our incredible people and innovation infrastructure, we collaborate with our partners in industry, academia, government, and the investment community to accelerate the development and commercialisation of innovative products.

From health technologies and pharmaceuticals to sustainable food and materials innovations, we turn the entrepreneurial spirit and radical thinking of our people and partners into incredible impact that makes our world a better place.

CPI has an exciting opportunity for a Scientist 2 to join the established and growing Fermentation team. Based at Wilton Centre, Redcar, the team is focused on the delivery of projects aimed at and in collaboration with clients and partners in the food, feed and agritech sector.

Reporting to the Fermentation Manager, you will contribute to the delivery of a varied range of research projects by carrying out fermentation processes, microbiological work, and testing of in-process and end products including metabolite testing and protein assays. As the fermentation Scientist 2, you will provide support in an array of lab-to-pilot scale projects, involving production of biological agri-products, novel food proteins, generation of microbial biomass and optimisation of recombinant protein expression.

The work is diverse and often interdisciplinary, working closely with the host strain development, downstream processing and analytical teams, enabling you to gain experience and exposure of working with many different industrially relevant microorganisms, as well as real, in-depth, applicable experience in fermentation process development and scale-up (see below examples of the exciting projects carried out by CPI’s Agrifood team). This makes the role a great opportunity for anybody who may of recently graduated and/or are looking to commence a career in an industrial environment. If you are interested in this opportunity, please provide details of relevant skills and experience gained via placement and/or final year project work in your cover letter or application.

Please use the below links to view some projects the team have delivered:

• AgriFood at CPI
• Novel Food
• Case study — Azotic Technologies
• CPI sustainability series – Agritech

The Role

Key tasks in the role will include (but are not limited to the below), please download the job description for full details available on the CPI careers page:

• Delivery of lab-scale projects and supporting fermentation-based projects utilising a wide range of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi and yeasts.
• Running batch, fed-batch and continuous fermentation processes for the production of cell biomass and optimisation of protein expression at laboratory scale.
• Providing clearly documented records of technical data and methodologies; presenting key data and findings to internal stakeholders
• Supporting the technical transfer of laboratory-developed processes to pilot and demonstration-scale.
• Working on internally-funded projects to initiate the creation of new technological innovations/applications within the Biotechnology Team for capability building.
• Gaining knowledge and keeping yourself up to date with new techniques and external developments in areas of specialism.
• Contributing to Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE) management, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Data Integrity (DI), quality and best practice requirements.
• Contributing to general running of a busy research and development laboratory including support of equipment running and general housekeeping.

It is essential you are qualified to a minimum of degree level in a related discipline. Any additional knowledge or demonstrable industrial experience is highly desirable. It is also essential that you:

• Possess knowledge of principles of batch, fed-batch and continuous fermentation processes.
• Have the ability to actively demonstrate knowledge of microbiology and aseptic technique.
• Possess knowledge in basic analytical techniques such as assays for protein and nucleic acids.
• Can actively support diverse or complex technical activities as part of a team.
• Can demonstrate evidence of self motivation, learning and networking with peer groups.

It is desirable that you have:

• Relevant experience in the field of biotechnology, agrifood or microbiology
• Knowledge of bacterial and fungal microorganisms, protein expression and/or molecular technologies.
• Hold an active membership of a professional body, engaging with peers beyond CPI.

At CPI, we offer a wide range of benefits to our employees, this includes:

• Up to 36 days holiday, including bank holidays – Plus a holiday purchasing scheme
• Generous pension scheme
• Life assurance and accident insurance schemes
• Flexible working
• Learning and Development Opportunities
• Free parking

Find out more about our culture and benefits.

CPI is an organisation based in the UK. Commencement of employment is conditional to demonstrating right to work in the UK, sponsorship may be available.