Senior Technician - Strain Development & Fermentation

At Corbion, we exist to champion preservation in all its forms, preserving food and food production, health, and our planet. As Senior Technician - Strain Development & Fermentation, you will join the Industrial Fermentation team within our global Innovation Center.

• Research and Development
• Work Location: On-Site
• Office Location: Gorinchem, NL
• Job Type: Full Time

The role

At Corbion, we use our expertise in fermentation to develop sustainable solutions that preserve food and food production, health and our planet.

You will help optimize microbial production strains through molecular biology, genetic modification and classical strain improvement, and translate laboratory results into fermentation experiments. The role is highly hands-on: depending on the project, you will spend approximately 50% to 80% of your time in the laboratory. Your remaining time will focus on experimental design, literature research, data analysis, documentation and reporting.

You will work with techniques and equipment such as PCR, qPCR, liquid-handling robotics, gel electrophoresis, Petri-dish and shake-flask cultivation, and bioreactors. You may also occasionally support scale-up activities in Corbion's pilot facilities. You will work closely with technicians, scientists and senior scientists in an international, multidisciplinary environment, with increasing independence as you grow in the role.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate and independently execute experiments related to molecular biology, strain development and fermentation.
• Contribute to classical strain improvement, genetic modification, synthetic biology, metabolic engineering and genomics or metagenomics activities.
• Translate strain-development results into bioreactor and fermentation experiments, with support from experienced colleagues where needed.
• Use scientific literature to identify relevant genes, pathways and experimental strategies, and help optimize fermentation conditions such as temperature and nutrient sources.
• Analyze and critically evaluate data, monitor results and adjust experiments when necessary.
• Accurately document activities, procedures and results in electronic laboratory journals and prepare clear reports in line with Corbion standards.
• Present results and recommendations to project teams and other departments, and identify potential intellectual-property opportunities.
• Develop and improve protocols and ways of working while maintaining high standards for quality, laboratory safety, equipment and facilities.
• Support innovation and customer-support projects, occasional pilot-scale activities, and technical questions from areas such as product management, operations and procurement.
• Support the onboarding and supervision of students and contribute to an open, collaborative team environment.

You bring

• A BSc or MSc in biotechnology, microbiology, molecular biology or a related discipline.
• At least three years of relevant professional experience in strain development, molecular biology or fermentation for appointment at Senior Technician level.
• Strong hands-on laboratory experience in microbial strain or culture development, preferably involving bacterial or yeast production organisms.
• Experience with relevant molecular biology techniques, including PCR and/or qPCR; experience with genetic modification, synthetic biology or metabolic engineering is an advantage.
• An interest in fermentation and the motivation to further develop in this field; experience with fermentation, pilot-scale work, innovation projects or bioinformatics is preferred.
• The ability to plan experiments, interpret data and produce accurate scientific documentation and reports.
• Fluent written and spoken English, strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate in international, multidisciplinary teams.
• A proactive, practical and safety-first approach, with creativity, resilience and the flexibility to manage changing priorities.

Experience from industrial biotechnology, food ingredients or pharmaceuticals may be relevant when connected to microbial systems or industrial fermentation. Candidates with a PhD will be considered overqualified for this hands-on technician position.

What we offer

• A hands-on role with direct impact on microbial strain and fermentation-process development.
• The opportunity to broaden your expertise across molecular biology, fermentation and occasional pilot-scale activities.
• A varied position combining practical laboratory work with experimental design, literature research, data interpretation and reporting.
• Collaboration with experienced technicians and scientists in an international innovation environment.
• Structured onboarding, followed by increasing independence and ownership as you develop.
• Room to improve methods, develop protocols and contribute ideas for new experimental approaches and products.
• Development opportunities in scientific work, project design and, depending on your interests, project management.
• The opportunity to contribute to solutions that improve product quality, cost efficiency and sustainability.

About Corbion

Corbion is a sustainable ingredients company dedicated to preserving what matters, including food and food production, health, and the planet. We specialize in lactic acid, lactic acid derivatives, food preservation solutions, functional blends, and algae ingredients, using our deep application and product knowledge to propel nature’s ingenuity through science. Leveraging our advanced capabilities in fermentation and preservation technology, we help customers differentiate their products in diverse markets ranging from food and animal nutrition to home & personal care, pharmaceuticals, electronics, medical devices, and bioplastics.