Operate, monitor, and maintain lab-scale fermentation systems (shake flasks, bench bioreactors), Run controlled fermentation experiments to improve yield, productivity, or robustness and collect samples and measure key process parameters (growth, pH, dissolved oxygen, etc.), Prepare and sterilize media, reagents, and inoculum for fermentation runs, Troubleshoot fermentation issues and suggest process improvements, Participate in data collection, analysis, and interpretation to inform next steps, Maintain accurate records, digital lab notebooks, and experimental logs, Prepare basic summaries and reports of fermentation runs and outcomes and present to the team, Follow safety, quality, and documentation standards (SOPs, SHE, GMP where applicable), Collaborate with colleagues from R&D, QA/QC, and manufacturing teams and support technology transfer for scale-up activities