We are a venture-backed food-tech company with 12 employees based primarily in Switzerland.
planetary is powering the bioeconomy through building industrial scale infrastructure for biomass and precision fermentation. Our Swiss facility for mycoprotein production is producing commercial volumes today.
The role
To support the further development of our scientific expertise, planetary is searching for an experienced Fermentation Production Engineer to support us at our 50 - 100 kL production site in Aarberg (nearby Bern)
In this position you will carry out the production of biomass fermentation (Mycoprotein) in 50kL aerobic fermentation vessels.
Key responsibilities
Further optimize our mycelium biomass fermentation process at 50,000L scale
Design and execute experiments on mycelial biomass production processes to maximize key metrics such as yield, productivity, product quality and scalability
Search, identify, demonstrate, and implement new processes/ technologies/instruments to optimize and automate fermentation workflows
Document all trials & conducted analyses in a well-organized electronic lab notebook following GDP concepts
Design suitable control systems (PAT) for monitoring and control of the process
Communicate with internal and external stakeholders through PM platform, meetings and written email, reports and presentations
Mentor and train process operators
Qualifications and Experience:
Motivated to join an impact-focused industrial firm, seeking to do well by doing good and scaling up the alternative protein industry.
BSc with 5+ years, MSc with 2+ years or PhD with practical experience in biochemical engineering, biochemistry, microbiology, or a related field, or a comparable combination of experience and training
Prior experience in the development and implementation of robust microbial scale-up processes
Hands-on experience in the development and implementation of submerged microbial fermentations in bioreactors.
Strong analytical skills and a positive & entrepreneurial attitude to design, perform and analyse fermentations independently.
Fluency in English and German is required
Preferred: Prior yeast or mycelium fermentation experience for scale-up
