Associate Scientist – Biology II

Planet Pharma; Foster City (CA); Hybrid; USD 62,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

Planet Pharma is seeking a hands-on upstream bioprocess professional to join the Biologics Pilot Lab in Foster City on a 12-month contract. The role involves running pilot-scale cell culture processes, solving real-time operational challenges, and supporting biologics development programs in a collaborative environment.

You’ll prepare media and reagents, execute daily bioreactor activities, document via SOPs and bench records, and assist with tech transfers and data summaries to drive process

Qualifications

• Hands-on upstream cell culture experience at bench, pilot, or manufacturing scale.
• Clear technical writing and documentation habits (SOPs, batch records, run summaries).
• Organized, collaborative, solutions-focused approach with safety and data integrity in tight schedules.

Responsibilities

• Prepare media, buffers, and reagents; set up equipment; support teardown and cleaning.
• Execute routine upstream activities: daily bioreactor sampling, feeding, end-to-end run support.
• Maintain accurate documentation in SOPs, batch records, run summaries, deviations, observations, and change notes.
• Troubleshoot issues during pilot runs; maintain equipment, inventory, analytical support, and lab readiness.
• Support technology transfers, monitor process performance, and summarize data.

Skills

Hands-on upstream cell culture

Technical writing

Data integrity & documentation

Education

AA/AS with 4+ years experience

BS/BE in related field with 2+ years experience

Tools

WAVE system

Single-use bioreactors

Benchling

Job description

I’m looking for a hands-on upstream bioprocess professional to join the 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.

Pay ranges between 45-53/hr based on experience