Scientist I

We are looking for a Fermentation Scientist to join our Bioengineering and Bioprocessing team as we scale production of novel antimicrobials from microbes.

Company

Bactobio is a young London-based BioTech company using AI, genomics, and synthetic biology to culture previously unculturable microbes and screen them for antimicrobials. We regularly discover chemically novel antimicrobials that are effective against some of the biggest infectious diseases in agritech and healthcare, and select diseases to target based on the lack of current, effective solutions and the potential market size.

Our work culture is built around impact, empowerment, and collaboration, and we have managed to attract incredible scientists from world-leading institutions, alongside operational experts. We believe that open and inclusive conversations lead to better solutions. As a result, we have created a unique work environment, where ambitious people enjoy working together to make the world greener and safer.

The company is at an very exciting stage, as we are looking forward to our first product commercialisation in H1 2026, after which we intend to undergo a significant series A raise, and use the funds to expand our current team of 50.

Role

In this lab-based role, you will join our Bioengineering and Bioprocessing team to improve titres of novel antimicrobials produced by Bactobio's diverse microbes through bioprocess optimisations and scale-up. This will support our vision to deliver solutions to global issues, including the discovery of new antibiotics against resistant bacteria and fungicides to support global food security.

Team

The Bioengineering and Bioprocessing team consists of synthetic biologists, chemists, and microbiologists who identify and scale production of natural products from previously unculturable microbes. The team works closely with software engineers, data scientists, and bioinformaticians to conduct data-driven experimentation to continuously accelerate and optimises the discovery process.

Teamwork

All projects are led by individuals but supported by the entire group and discussed on a weekly basis. This model relies on people to take responsibility for their own projects, be open to discussing new ideas, and give fair and unbiased feedback. We are therefore looking for people who enjoy working in a collaborative and adaptive environment, with strong communication skills and a drive to be proactive.

Key responsibilities

• Conducting routine microbial fermentations in scales ranging from 100 mL to 3 L
• Designing and executing R&D experiments to increase product titres through bioprocess optimisation
• Establishing reliable scale-up /scale-down of existing fermentation processes
• Making data-driven decisions to prioritise samples for process optimisation, scale-up and outsourcing
• Identifying opportunities to automate the pipeline and supporting their implementation to accelerate the delivery of novel compounds
• Coordinating with Analytical Chemistry, Sequencing and Product teams and keeping all relevant stakeholders updated

You should have

• PhD in Biotechnology, Biochemical /Chemical Engineering, and/or 4+ years of industrial experience (start-up / biotech preferred)
• Experience working with diverse non-model microbes (multiple phyla)
• In-depth knowledge of bacterial physiology and fermentation principles
• Hands-on experience working with bioreactors and upstream operations (set up, sterilisation, inoculation, control, sampling)
• Demonstrated bioprocess optimisation experience in shake flasks and/or bioreactors
• Data-driven mindset; comfortable retrieving and processing datasets to guide decisions
• Highly organised and detail-oriented, with a focus on delivering high-quality results
• Self-motivated with the ability to drive and expand our technical platform
• Collaborative drive and good team ethic

It would be great if you had

• Knowledge and experience with microbial secondary metabolite production
• Familiarity with generating microbial extracts
• Hands-on experience with QTOF LC-MS data acquisition and analysis
• Track record of working with Actinobacteria and Gram-negative bacteria
• Practical design‑of‑experiments (DoE) experience (e.g., factorial designs, response-surface methodology); familiarity with tools such as JMP, R or Python

Benefits

• The chance to be part of an impact-driven, fun, multicultural, kind, and ambitious crowd
• Daily access to academic leaders, business leaders, and unicorn founders
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Enhanced parental leave (12 weeks maternity / 6 weeks paternity)
• Enhanced Sick Pay
• Paid sabbatical after 5 years employment
• Flexible start and finish times within the company's core hours to fit your preferences
• Weekly team activities including board games, sports activities, and socials on Fridays
• Complimentary snacks, fruits, tea, coffee, soft drinks,...
• Access to 1000s of training courses through Udemy, with an allowance for both personal development and work-related training
• Bike2Work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme offering structured counselling, life and career coaching, legal and financial advice platform