SR Research Scientist - Yeast Genetics

We’re a family‑owned company with a 90+ year legacy, that’s consistently recognized as a Glassdoor “Best Places to Work.” We have 130+ brands in our total alcohol beverage portfolio including wine, malt, spirits, and ready‑to‑drink beverages. We’re home to the #1 wine and spirits brands in the U.S.

- Barefoot Wine & High Noon and are the official sponsors of the NFL, NHL, UFC, and PGA of America.

View our Corporate Values and Mission Statement here.

In this role, you’ll develop and improve yeast strains and fermentation methodologies that directly impact wine, spirits, malt, and other beverage production. You’ll lead research exploring yeast genetics, fermentation optimization, and precision fermentation practices, moving discoveries from the lab to production scale. You’ll collaborate with cross‑functional partners, oversee research trials, and present findings to stakeholders across the business. Your work will drive innovation, improve commercial processes, and influence future fermentation strategies.

• Investigate the genetic and physiological linkages that drive yeast and microbial fermentation.
• Develop and apply molecular biology and functional genomics tools to advance yeast strain performance.
• Lead scale‑up fermentation activities and support technology transfer from research to production.

• Ph.D. in Life Science, Engineering, or Brewing plus 4 years of fermentation, beverage‑making, or microbiology research experience OR Master’s degree in Life Science, Engineering, or Brewing plus 6 years of fermentation, beverage‑making, or microbiology research experience.
• Valid driver’s license, safe driving record, and reliable vehicle; ability to drive to facilities within California.
• Ability to travel up to 5% for onboarding, meetings, training, and business needs.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.

• Ph.D. in Life Science, Engineering, or Brewing with 6+ years of fermentation, beverage‑making, or microbiology research experience.
• Knowledge of commercial fermentation practices, yeast propagation, and experimental or industrial‑scale fermentation systems.
• Experience in project management, experimental design, statistics, R/Python, and modern molecular biology, genetics, or “omics” tools.
• Strong presentation skills and the ability to communicate complex scientific topics to diverse audiences.

We are committed to providing competitive compensation, perks, and a culture that supports your well‑being. Benefits depend on your work category and may include medical and dental coverage, 401k plans, profit sharing, pet insurance, company holidays, access to an employee wine shop, and more! Additional information will be provided before your first interview.

• The Company does not sponsor for employment‑based visas for this position now or in the future.
• Actual compensation paid within the range will be determined by factors such as the education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data. In addition to the salary, this position may be eligible for bonuses, incentive plans, or participate in tasting room tip pools, as applicable.
• This position will be based in the location(s) specified in the job posting and requires working on‑site with no telecommuting option. You will be expected to live within a commutable distance.
• It is the Company’s policy for job postings to be open to internal candidates for a minimum of 5 days and to external candidates, if applicable, for a minimum of 3 days.

Gallo’s policy is to afford equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and not to discriminate on the basis of race, traits associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles (such as braids, locks, and twists), color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition as defined by applicable state law (including cancer and predisposing genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, familial status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation (actual or…