Precision Fermentation Process Scientist

Also called: Fermentation Process Scientist, Bioprocess Scientist (Food)

Scales up microbes that make animal-free proteins, like dairy proteins without cows.

A day in the life

Runs small bioreactors to find the temperature and feeding schedule that gets yeast to make the most whey protein, then helps move the process to giant tanks.

Pay over a career

Starting
$70k
Typical
$95k
High
$130k

Estimate.

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

Master's degree, about 6 years after high school. Bachelor's or master's in bioengineering, microbiology, or food science.

Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.

Majors to look at: Bioengineering, Microbiology, Food Science.

Outlook

Growing faster than average. Young, fast-changing industry.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Medium risk for 10 years. AI models suggest feed and temperature recipes; scale-up surprises, contamination and plant trials keep people central.

Start now, in high school

Classes: Chemistry, Biology, AP Calculus, Food science or culinary class.

Official data: O*NET occupation 19-1029.

More Synthetic Biology & Bioengineering careers

Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.