Bluestem Biosciences, Inc. · 4 months ago
Vice President, Upstream Process Development
Omaha, NE
Full-time
Onsite
Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
5+ years expBluestem Biosciences, Inc. is focused on producing critical chemicals using American corn and existing bioethanol infrastructure. The Vice President of Upstream Process Development will lead the fermentation process from bench to commercial scale, collaborating with teams and partners to optimize biomanufacturing methods.
AgTechBiotechnologyChemicalLife ScienceRenewable Energy
Responsibilities
Drive the strategic plan for commercializing our upstream process, building and executing the roadmap to get us to demonstration and commercial scales
Improve and develop scale-down processes that are directly informed by our commercial-scale goals ('end in mind' thinking)
Direct the development of robust analytical and process monitoring methods for repeatable, high-quality fermentations
Independently but collaboratively design and manage critical fermentation experiments with our external partners to maximize our understanding of strain physiology
Lead process characterization (CPPs), optimization, and control (QbD) to enable seamless scale-up and technology transfer
Leverage your knowledge of bioprocess design to enhance and inform our techno-economic models
Provide knowledge and insights to inform utility, system, or equipment upgrades or expansions
Evaluate and audit external partners for their fermentation capabilities at bench, pilot, and demonstration scales
Lead the design requirements and ultimately manage on-site implementation of the upstream process at Bluestem’s demonstration facility
Qualification
Required
Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Fermentation Science, Microbiology Physiology, or a related field plus 5+ years in a fermentation R&D role. (Differing combinations of experience and education will be considered)
Demonstrated hands-on experience and deep knowledge of fermentation science, biochemical engineering, and cellular physiology
Hands-on experience with media optimization, process design, and dynamic control strategies at laboratory and pilot/demo scales
Strong communication skills and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced startup environment
A self-starter mindset with the ability to lead projects, build relationships, and own the mission
Possess a Growth Mindset and open mind that seeks continuous learning from feedback, setbacks and failure on the journey to achieving results
Preferred
Commercial-scale fermentation experience (making money at scale) is a major plus!
Experience with yeast
Expertise with statistical software for analyzing large datasets (e.g., JMP, R, Minitab, etc.)
Experience 'promoting' strains from small-scale screening (flasks, microtiter plates) to bioreactors
Company
Bluestem Biosciences, Inc.
Bluestem Biosciences, Inc., is designing biology with the end in mind, to enable existing infrastructure in the Midwest for industrial biology.
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageTotal Funding
$10.2MKey Investors
US Department of EnergyZero Infinity Partners
2023-05-15Grant· $0.2M
2022-08-09Pre Seed· $5M
2022-07-22Convertible Note· $5M
Leadership Team
Billy Hagstrom
Chief Executive Officer / Co-Founder
Jared Wenger
CSO & Co-Founder
Recent News
Silicon Prairie News
2025-11-08
Google Patent
2025-02-10
Nebraska Examiner
2023-12-22
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