Associate Scientist

Job Title: Associate Scientist - Biology II*

Location: Foster City, CA

Duration: 12+ months

Pay rate: $55/hr.

Job Description:

Onsite Position - Foster City 5 days/week with occasional weekends as needed.

Upstream Bioprocess Associate (Contract)

Cell Culture & Single-Use Bioreactors

I’m looking for a hands-on upstream bioprocess professional to join Client Biologics Pilot Lab in Foster City on a contract basis. This is an opportunity to run pilot-scale cell culture processes, solve real-time operational challenges, and support biologics development programs in a highly collaborative environment.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

Work directly with pilot-scale upstream operations, including seed train shake flasks, WAVE systems, and 100 L and 500 L single-use bioreactors.

Build broad experience across process execution, troubleshooting, technology transfer, and continuous improvement.

Contribute to biologics programs spanning early- and late-stage development, with visibility into how pilot-scale work supports the broader pipeline.

Enjoy a contract of 12 months from start date, with room to take on more independence quickly in a fast-paced, schedule-driven pilot environment.

What You’ll Do

Prepare media, buffers, and reagents; set up equipment; and support post-run teardown and cleaning.

Execute routine upstream activities, including daily bioreactor sampling, feeding, and end-to-end run support.

Maintain accurate, timely documentation in SOPs, Benchling batch records, run summaries, deviations, observations, and change notes.

Troubleshoot issues during pilot runs and help maintain equipment, inventory, analytical support, and overall lab readiness.

Support technology transfers, monitor process performance, and communicate clear data summaries and conclusions.

What You’ll Bring

Hands-on upstream cell culture experience at bench, pilot, or manufacturing scale (e.g., shake flasks, bioreactors, media and buffer preparation).

Clear technical writing and documentation habits (e.g., SOPs, batch records, run summaries), plus confidence presenting data and conclusions.

An organized, collaborative, solutions-focused approach in a schedule-driven environment, with a strong commitment to safety and data integrity.

Strongly Preferred

Pilot lab, pilot plant, or pilot-scale bioprocess experience, including WAVE systems or single-use bioreactors.

Nice to Have

End-to-end upstream process execution across multiple unit operations.

Technology transfer, manufacturing support, or GMP/GMP-adjacent work.

Education

AA/AS with more than four years of relevant industry experience, or

BS/BE in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Biology, or a related field with more than two years of relevant experience.