Senior Microbiologist as Starter Culture Program Lead
An opportunity is now available for an experienced Senior Microbiologist – Starter Culture Program Lead to oversee and advance enterprise-level starter culture strategies within a dynamic dairy innovation environment at Sartoris. This position focuses on starter culture development, molecular characterization, fermentation science, and proprietary culture management, supporting innovation and ensuring the long-term reliability of fermentation processes.
The role will be based on-site at Joe’s Lab in Plymouth, Wisconsin, where the successful candidate will work closely with cross-functional teams across operations, quality assurance, procurement, and research & development.
The Senior Microbiologist – Starter Culture Program Lead will take ownership of the organization’s starter culture program, ensuring robust culture development, strain continuity, and fermentation performance. The role involves designing strategies that reduce bacteriophage risk, maintaining protected propagation systems, and supporting new product innovation through advanced fermentation science. This position requires deep expertise in food microbiology, molecular characterization, and fermentation technologies.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the enterprise starter culture program, including mapping, risk assessments, and contingency planning.
- Oversee clean-room culture propagation and sterile handling procedures.
- Develop rotation strategies to minimize bacteriophage risks and ensure consistent fermentation performance.
- Establish backup strain strategies and continuity plans for critical cheese products.
- Conduct molecular characterization and strain verification using genotyping and phenotyping methods. and develop verification systems for confirming strain identity and performance.
- Implement analytical tools to monitor strain purity, genetic stability, and culture integrity.
- Design starter culture activity assays and fermentation performance evaluation methods.
- Develop innovative starter culture blends and rotation strategies.
- Ensure compliance with GMP, HACCP, and clean-room operational standards.
Qualifications & Skills Required
- Master’s or Ph.D. in Microbiology, Food Microbiology, Molecular Biology,
- 7–12+ years of experience in dairy microbiology or industrial microbiology.
- Hands-on expertise with fermentation systems, starter cultures, and aseptic propagation.
- Strong background in molecular methods and microbial strain characterization.
Requisition Number:SENIO002635
For more phage-based industry openings, check here
This job post was originally curated by www.thephage.xyz/jobs
