DSP Chemical Engineer

Optify Search are currently partnered with an innovative biotechnology company developing next-generation sustainable ingredients through precision fermentation for the food and cosmetics industries. We are searching for a DSP Chemical Engineer to lead the development, optimisation and scale-up of downstream processing technologies for microbial oil production, supporting the transition from laboratory development through pilot and commercial manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimise extraction, purification and recovery processes for microbial oils and lipids.
• Design and validate refining operations including degumming, neutralisation, bleaching and other downstream processing steps tailored to end-product requirements.
• Lead MVP generation and process development activities at laboratory and pilot scale.
• Drive the transfer of downstream processes from R&D into pilot and industrial manufacturing environments.
• Evaluate, select and implement suitable process equipment, separation technologies and refining aids for varying scale and purity requirements.
• Troubleshoot process performance issues and identify opportunities to improve robustness, sustainability and overall manufacturing efficiency.
• Design and execute DoE studies to optimise process performance and support data-driven decision making.
• Maintain detailed experimental documentation and collaborate closely with fermentation, analytical and cross-functional teams to support commercialisation objectives.

Qualifications

• Educational Background: PhD in Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Bioprocess Engineering or a related discipline with relevant industrial experience, or MSc with several years of downstream processing experience.
• Downstream Processing Expertise: Proven experience developing and scaling DSP processes for microbial, fermentation-derived or biotechnological products.
• Separation Technologies: Strong knowledge of extraction, filtration, centrifugation, drying and purification technologies.
• Refining Knowledge: Experience with oil and lipid refining processes such as degumming, neutralisation, bleaching and deodorisation is highly desirable.
• Process Development & Scale-Up: Demonstrated ability to transfer laboratory processes into pilot and commercial manufacturing environments.
• Statistical Optimisation: Hands‑on experience with Design of Experiments (DoE), process characterisation and statistical process optimisation.
• Collaboration & Communication: Strong organisational, documentation and stakeholder management skills with the ability to work effectively in cross‑functional teams.

Preferred Experience

• Development of microbial lipids, fermentation-derived oils or other bio-based ingredients.
• Hands‑on downstream process scale‑up experience within biotechnology, food technology, specialty ingredients or related industries.
• Knowledge of sustainable downstream processing approaches and process intensification technologies.

This role offers the opportunity to play a key role in scaling a ground‑breaking precision fermentation platform and bringing sustainable ingredients to market. The successful candidate will have significant technical ownership and the chance to shape downstream processing strategy within a high‑growth biotechnology company.