Fermentation Scientist or Senior Fermentation Scientist

Engineer a new paradigm in food production

The Good Food Institute is a nonprofit think tank working to make the global food system better for the planet, people, and animals. Alongside scientists, businesses, and policymakers, GFI’s teams focus on making plant-based and cultivated meat delicious, affordable, and accessible. Powered by philanthropy, GFI is an international network of organizations advancing alternative proteins as an essential solution needed to meet the world’s climate, global health, food security, and biodiversity goals.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to analyze the technical landscape for proteins and ingredients derived from microbial fermentation, identify key challenges, and articulate solutions to accelerate the industry. Your analyses will help create a roadmap for improving the quality of alternative protein products and growing their market share. You will ensure that efforts and funding are allocated toward the highest-impact research areas to accelerate the adoption of fermentation-derived proteins and transform agriculture toward more sustainable systems. Working with key academic, nonprofit, and industry stakeholders, you will help fermentation-derived alternative protein products dominate the marketplace as quickly as possible. The Fermentation Scientist or Senior Fermentation Scientist will be responsible for:

• Conducting technical analyses of the role of fermentation in alternative protein applications that culminate in white papers, conference presentations, and peer-reviewed articles.
• Building out explanatory materials for the fermentation sector to familiarize non-technical and early-stage technical stakeholders with the opportunities and needs within this alternative protein production pillar, such as curriculum materials, webpage explainers, and literature libraries.
• Supporting the SciTech research funding team by engaging high-priority funders and government agencies to direct capital toward the highest-impact areas of alternative protein R&D, including serving as a grant proposal reviewer for internal and external funding opportunities.
• Providing subject matter expertise as a trusted consultant for researchers, companies, investors, foundations, and government agencies to guide external strategic decision-making surrounding fermentation technology and advance the alternative protein industry.
• Serving as a trusted public-facing fermentation expert for the industry by speaking at conferences, seminars, and workshops.
• Building GFI’s capacity to serve as a knowledge hub for the industry and as a connector and force multiplier.

In addition, the Fermentation Scientist or Senior Fermentation Scientist may be responsible for:

• Providing technical support for externally contracted analyses of the fermentation sector.
• Collaborating with team members to forecast future bottlenecks that may inhibit the long-term growth of the alternative protein industry and propose solutions to proactively alleviate these bottlenecks.
• Building connections to motivate academic research that addresses key knowledge gaps.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

The Fermentation Scientist or Senior Fermentation Scientist must have:

• Scientist: an M.S. or B.S. in a relevant scientific field and at least 2 years of industry experience.
• Senior Scientist: A Ph.D. in a relevant scientific field and 1-2 years of postgraduate experience or an M.S. and 5 years of industry experience.
• Exceptional writing skills for technical and general audiences.
• Adept public speaking skills.
• Experience translating scientific information into formats for non-scientific professionals.
• A functional understanding of the principles, methods, equipment, and techniques used in fermentation for alternative protein applications, with preferred familiarity with scale-up and commercial translation.
• Preferred: working exposure or formal training in techno-economic analyses, life cycle assessments, supply chain management, and science policy.
• Comfort working remotely and in a rapidly growing and evolving organization.
• Strong support for GFI’s philosophy and mission; demonstrated interest in plant based & other alt proteins, public health, environmentalism, climate change, animal protection, or hunger relief.
• A commitment to GFI’s values: believe change is possible, do the most good we can, share knowledge freely, act on evidence, and invite everyone to the table.

We want the best people and we don’t want biases holding us back. We strongly encourage people of every race, color, orientation, age, gender, origin, and ability to apply. Because we value a diverse workplace, we prioritize an inclusive climate absent of discrimination and harassment during the application process and after you join the team.

Research indicates that men tend to apply for jobs when they meet just 60% of the criteria, while women and people from other marginalized groups only apply if they are a 100% match. If you are passionate about GFI’s mission and think you have what it takes to be successful in this role even if you don’t check all the boxes, please apply. We’d appreciate the opportunity to consider your application. 

• Terms of employment: Full-time, exempt
• Reports to: Simone Costa, Associate Director of Strategy & Innovation (until Lead Scientist, Fermentation position is filled)
• Location: Remote; United States
• Travel: Up to two weeks per year for company retreats; up to one additional trip per quarter for conferences or stakeholder meetings.
• Benefits: Working from home, full medical coverage, optional dental and vision packages, a 401(k) plan with employer match, flexible holiday and vacation plans, opportunity for advancement, respectful managers, and supportive colleagues.
• This is a U.S.-based position: In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
• COVID vaccination policy: GFI requires all US employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination will be requested before the start of employment. GFI will consider requests for accommodations or exemptions from this policy on a case by case basis, in accordance with applicable laws.
• Salary: $80,000-$100,000 (depending on experience and qualifications)

Application Deadline: June 24, 2022

Decided not to apply? If after reviewing this job description, you have decided not to apply, please let us know why by completing this short survey: https://tinyurl.com/GFIJobSurvey. 

Interested in working at the Good Food Institute? Join us for the Career Opportunities Webinar to learn more about our work and ask questions about specific job opportunities! See upcoming webinar dates and more information at https://tinyurl.com/GFICareers.