Role Overview

The primary responsibility of this role is to prepare, operate, and maintain equipment for manufacturing a range of custom bioproducts. Working alongside senior specialists, scientists, and engineers, the associate scientist will help transition bioproducts from bench-scale laboratory workflows into pilot-scale industrial operations.

Core Responsibilities

• Operate microbial fermenters at the 0.25-liter, 10-liter, and 100-liter scales for research trials and pilot biomanufacturing runs.

• Execute downstream processing unit operations, including cell lysis, biomass recovery, separation, and biomolecular purification.

• Operate and maintain pilot-scale equipment such as steam-in-place fermenters, continuous flow centrifuges, high-pressure homogenizers, tangential flow filtration units, depth filtration stacks, and console lyophilizers.

• Support lab operations through tasks like solution preparation, glassware washing, and sterilization.

• Ensure equipment is ready for use by performing startup, commissioning, routine cleaning, maintenance, and minor facility repairs.

• Collaborate with scientists and engineers on process optimization and bioproduct characterization using analytical tools such as mass spectrometry, HPLC/FPLC, gel electrophoresis, and electron microscopy.

• Draft, revise, and document standard operating procedures (SOPs) and product-specific protocols. Maintain strict adherence to protocols.

• Support facility business functions, including consumable supply ordering, shipping, and inventory tracking.

• Present findings and work progress at internal and external scientific meetings and conferences.

• Document processes using standard batch records.

Required Qualifications

• This position is working within a government facility and requires U.S. Citizenship

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., biomanufacturing, microbiology, chemical engineering, or bioengineering).

• 1+ years of experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting food or bioprocessing equipment.

• Hands-on experience with microbial fermentation and protein purification at the laboratory scale.

• Comfort and capability working with industrial equipment in an industrial setting.

• Strong understanding of research methodology, principles, and data interpretation.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the proven ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.

• Proficiency with standard word processing and spreadsheet software.

Desired Qualifications

• 2+ years of pilot-scale or production facility experience in food or biomanufacturing.

• Direct experience with industrial fermentation, bioproduction, and spray-drying.

• Familiarity with Design of Experiments (DoE), process optimization, and bioproduct characterization tools.

Physical & Environmental Demands

• Ability to comfortably lift up to 50 lbs.

• Ability to stand for extended periods, climb, and interact with equipment at various heights.

• Ability to work safely in hot, cold, or wet environments, and in close proximity to heated equipment.

• Capacity to safely handle, store, and dispose of industrial chemicals and solvents in volumes up to 10 liters.

• Ability to consistently wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for extended durations during processing runs.

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Occasional nights, weekends, or extended hours as operational needs require (very rarely).