Fermentation Technician

Job Title: Fermentation TechnicianLocation: Indianapolis INDuration: Contract - 12 months, likely to extendSchedule : Day shift. Start as early as 7:30 a.m.; must attend 8:30 a.m. team meeting. Typical end 4:00–5:30 p.m.40 hours per week plus overtime as needed. Required weekend work 1–3 days per month for 2–4 hour sampling and adjustments.80–90% hands-on lab work with supporting documentation.Job DescriptionHands-on laboratory experience, strong science fundamentals, and the ability to learn and execute standard operating procedures while growing into more complex operations.Responsibilities:Oversee fermenter operations, including sterilization, troubleshooting and repair, inoculation, growth and feeding, harvesting, de vitalization, and cleaning.Apply sterile techniques for inoculating and sampling shake flasks and fermenters.Operate autoclaves and handle acid/base mixing safely and efficiently.Perform off-line analyses using viscometers, centrifuges, spectrophotometers, and pH meters.Conduct preventive maintenance and routine repairs on lab equipment and bioreactor components, including valves.Document work accurately, maintain lab records, and support inventory and material management.Required Skills & Qualifications:Associate or Bachelor's degree in a scientific or engineering field (e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology, Organic Chemistry, Physics).Entry-level laboratory experience and familiarity with sterile technique.Ability to follow SOPs, document results, and recognize equipment malfunctions.Mechanical aptitude with hand tools for routine maintenance and basic repairs.Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.Experience level: 0–5 years. Masters-level candidates may be overqualified for this role.Preferred Skills:Experience in pilot-scale fermentation or production lab environments.Exposure to continuous improvement practices, including Six Sigma participation.