Description:
Upstream Bioprocess Associate (Contract)
Cell Culture & Single-Use Bioreactors | Foster City, CA | 100% onsite |
Contract: 12 months from start date
Onsite Position - Foster City 5 days/week with occational weekends as needed.
We are looking for a hands-on upstream bioprocess professional to join Clients 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.
About the Team
You'll join a ten-person team of scientists producing pilot-scale biologics material for early and late development programs. The team also troubleshoots and improves processes and introduces new technologies that expand site capability, capacity, and efficiency.