--- title: 'Fermentation Technician at Phase Biolabs' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/fermentation-technician-phase-biolabs-nottingham-vmdhw2je0726' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-10-29' --- # Fermentation Technician at Phase Biolabs - **Company:** Phase Biolabs - **Location:** Nottingham, United Kingdom - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** onsite - **Posted:** 2026-10-23 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-29 - **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/phasebiolabs/51659e08-7e30-40a0-a837-38a5e1ee2c47 ## Job description ## THE COMPANY Phase Biolabs is a deep tech company building biomanufacturing platforms. We use engineered biocatalysts to convert waste and low-value feedstocks like CO2 into sustainable chemicals and fuels, starting with ethanol. Phase develops and scales these industrial bioprocesses from lab to pilot and commercialises them with industrial partners through retrofit models. ## ABOUT THE ROLE We are looking for a hands-on Technician to work with our team and support day-to-day laboratory fermentation operations. Working closely with the team, you will carry out routine checks, prepare solutions and clean, set up and maintain equipment so experiments run without interruption. This is a practical, physically active role. It suits someone who is organised and reliable, has high standards of cleanliness, and takes pride in keeping a lab tidy, stocked and running well. Full training will be given on our reactors, systems and safety procedures. The role is Monday to Friday, with no weekend work consisting of 20 hours per week with the possibility of increasing to 30 hours per week. ## KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Some of the responsibilities include but are not limited to: - Carry out routine checks and upkeep of fermentation and analytics equipment - Follow SOPs and Carry out routine system checks, such as dilution checks - Monitor consumables and stock levels, and raise orders before supplies run low - Prepare stock solutions and reagents for experiments - Clean, sterilise and maintain labware and equipment ## ABOUT YOU ## Qualifications - A PhD in a life sciences, chemistry or engineering subject (e.g. biochemistry, bioprocess or chemical engineering) or a related field, OR - An MSc in a related field, plus 1 year of relevant industry experience, OR - A BSc in a related field, plus 3 years of relevant industry experience, OR - A-levels or an equivalent Level 3 qualification (e.g. BTEC, Scottish Highers), plus 5 years of relevant industry experience Essential - Must be able to demonstrate relevant experience in a laboratory setting - Able to lift up to 20 kg using safe manual handling techniques - Comfortable being on your feet for most of the day in a hands-on role: building, moving, connecting and cleaning equipment - Careful, accurate record keeping - Reliable and well organised, and comfortable with routine work - Stays calm and keeps standards high when things are busy - Works well as part of a team, takes direction, and raises problems early - Clear communicator Desirable - Experience preparing solutions, including dilution and molarity calculations - Confident using pH meters and preparing buffers - Safe handling of hazardous chemicals and compressed gases - Experience with bioreactors or fermentation - Experience working with HPLC and/or GC instruments - Aseptic technique ## COMPENSATION Compensation depends on the experience and qualifications of the applicant. Phase aims to fairly compensate all employees in line with their experience and qualifications. ## THE HIRING PROCESS We will review your cover letter and CV and invite you to an initial screening interview if we think you might be a good fit. Our process includes two additional interviews (30-45 minutes each). If successful, we will carry out referencing will prior to making an offer. All interviews are remote. We endeavour to provide feedback to all interviewees. Applications are being considered on an rolling basis. ## COVER LETTER Include a brief cover letter explaining why you are interested in the job. ## HOW TO APPLY Only applications received through our website will be reviewed. Please submit your application here: https://phasebiolabs.com/career Phase Biolabs is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from everyone and will consider reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process and in the role. If you have any questions, please email the Phase Hiring Team at hr@phasebiolabs.com. ## About Phase Biolabs ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Phase Biolabs converts CO₂ from industrial emissions into carbon-neutral ethanol and e-fuels using gas fermentation, retrofitting onto existing plants. - **Entity Type**: Private (startup, Y Combinator Winter 2022 batch) - **Headquarters**: Nottingham, United Kingdom - **Founded**: 2020 - **Founders**: David Ortega (Founder & CEO) ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Industrial biotechnology, carbon capture and utilisation (CCU), e-fuels / renewable chemicals - **Target customers**: Industrial emitters (e.g., steel, cement, chemical plants), fuel blenders, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) producers, marine shipping companies, chemical manufacturers - **Mission statement**: “Upcycle 1 gigaton of CO₂ by 2050” by turning industrial emissions into valuable chemicals and fuels. ## Products & Services - **E‑ethanol (Phase’s core product)**: A drop-in, low-carbon ethanol produced from CO₂ via fermentation. Can be blended into road fuel, converted to sustainable aviation fuel (alcohol-to-jet pathway), used as marine fuel, or sold as a chemical feedstock for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, packaging, etc. [phasebiolabs.com](https://phasebiolabs.com/) - **Retrofit bolt‑on technology**: Phase’s fermentation unit attaches to existing industrial plants, directly consuming their CO₂ emissions without requiring separate carbon capture equipment. [phasebiolabs.com](https://phasebiolabs.com/) ## Market Standing - **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not publicly available - **Key Metric**: Supported by Y Combinator (Winter 2022) and Breakthrough Energy Foundation (Bill Gates’ Innovator Fellowship). Team size of 10 (as of YC listing). [ycombinator.com](https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/phase-biolabs) - **Notable Investors / Partners**: Y Combinator, Breakthrough Energy Foundation - **Growth Signals**: Targeting a $70B global ethanol market; expanding into SAF, marine fuel, and chemical feedstock applications; proprietary biocatalyst and AI-driven strain engineering. ## Competitive Advantages - **Proven technology**: Gas fermentation is already commercialised; Phase uses a novel biocatalyst to directly convert CO₂ to ethanol without expensive carbon capture steps. [phasebiolabs.com/about-us](https://phasebiolabs.com/about-us) - **Cost‑effective**: Claims their process makes carbon recycling profitable, unlike many costly CCU approaches. - **Drop‑in compatibility**: E‑ethanol works with existing infrastructure (engines, pipelines, chemical processes). - **Low competition in e‑ethanol**: Most competitors focus on other e‑fuels, giving Phase a niche advantage. ## Strategic Focus - **Scale up**: Retrofitting more industrial emitters to increase production capacity. - **Market expansion**: Penetrate road fuel blending (growing globally), SAF (alcohol‑to‑jet), marine fuel, and chemical feedstock markets. - **Technology development**: Continue improving biocatalyst efficiency using AI and genetic engineering to lower costs and increase yield. [ycombinator.com](https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/phase-biolabs) ## Why Work Here - **Mission‑driven**: “Work on the problem that matters most” – directly combatting climate change by turning CO₂ into useful products. [phasebiolabs.com/career](https://phasebiolabs.com/career) - **Small, agile team**: 10 people as of YC listing; opportunity to wear multiple hats and have high impact. - **Cutting‑edge science**: Combines synthetic biology, AI, and process engineering to develop novel metabolic pathways. - **Backed by top accelerators**: Y Combinator and Breakthrough Energy support provide credibility and network. - **Location**: Nottingham, UK (office at Unit 2 Alcester St, Harrimans Ln). Remote/hybrid policy not explicitly stated, but small startup likely offers flexibility. ## Sources 1. [phasebiolabs.com](https://phasebiolabs.com/) 2. [phasebiolabs.com/about-us](https://phasebiolabs.com/about-us) 3. [phasebiolabs.com/career](https://phasebiolabs.com/career) 4. [jobs.ashbyhq.com/phasebiolabs](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/phasebiolabs) 5. [ycombinator.com/companies/phase-biolabs](https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/phase-biolabs) ## Other roles at Phase Biolabs - [General Pool (Engineering Talent)](https://feeny.ai/job/general-pool-engineering-talent-phase-biolabs-nottingham-rsy28v1naeqj) — Nottingham, United Kingdom