Hartmann Young is partnered with a fast-growing European biotech / functional nutrition R&D organisation to appoint a Head of Fermentation / Technical Leader – Microbial Fermentation. This role offers the opportunity to lead laboratory-scale fermentation programs and play a critical role in advancing scalable, high-quality microbial fermentation processes across the R&D pipeline.Key Responsibilities Lead and oversee lab-scale fermentation programs across multiple microorganisms, including bacteria, yeast, and fungi Own end-to-end fermentation workflows, from inoculation through to harvest, ensuring reproducibility, robustness, and scalability Optimise fermentation parameters to improve yield, productivity, and data quality Supervise lab-scale bioreactors and associated control and monitoring systems Own and maintain SOPs, batch records, and digital data-capture tools to ensure high data integrity Act as the technical reference point for fermentation within the R&D organisation Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing fermentation team Foster close collaboration with downstream processing, analytical, and wider R&D teams Ensure compliance with internal quality standards, documentation requirements, and applicable regulatory guidelines Communicate clearly with internal stakeholders, sharing results, challenges, and process improvement opportunitiesQualifications & Experience Degree in Chemical Engineering, Microbiology, Biotechnology, or a related scientific discipline 6–10 years' experience in microbial fermentation process development Minimum 5 years' experience in a leadership or supervisory capacity Proven track record in lab-scale fermentation and lab-to-pilot scale-up Strong hands-on knowledge of bioreactor systems, process control software, and troubleshooting Demonstrated ability to lead teams, drive process excellence, and ensure data reliability Confident communicator across technical and non-technical stakeholders Fluent English required Spanish is an advantageWhy Join? You will join a growing, innovation-led R&D organisation operating at the intersection of biotechnology, fermentation, and functional nutrition. This is a high-impact leadership role with real technical ownership, team responsibility, and influence over scalable fermentation platforms that underpin future commercial growth.The role offers strong autonomy, exposure to advanced microbial systems, and the opportunity to shape fermentation strategy within a developing European biotech environment.