Associate Scientist - Downstream Bioprocess

Zohorecruit; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 74,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Zohorecruit is seeking an Associate Scientist - Downstream Bioprocess in Foster City, CA, for a long-term contract. The role involves hands-on downstream purification, operating AKTA systems and UNICORN software, and supporting process scale-up and tech transfer.

The candidate will plan pilot-scale runs, prepare buffers, document activities, and ensure quality and safety in a fast-paced, schedule-driven environment. Weekend coverage may be required based on process needs.

Qualifications

• AA/AS degree with 4+ years of relevant industry experience in downstream purification or bioprocessing.
• BS/BE degree in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Biology, or related field with 2+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Hands-on pilot-scale downstream bioprocessing experience is required.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute pilot-scale downstream purification runs, including clarification, chromatography, TFF, viral filtration, depth filtration, and centrifugation.
• Prepare buffers and reagents and perform equipment setup, operation, cleaning, and teardown.
• Operate ÄKTA chromatography systems and UNICORN software for process execution and data collection.
• Pack and unpack chromatography columns and support chromatography process activities.
• Operate single-use equipment and filtration systems in a pilot-scale environment.
• Monitor process performance, analyze run data, identify process issues, and troubleshoot deviations in real time.
• Accurately document activities in SOPs, batch records, run sheets, and technical summaries.
• Communicate observations, process results, and troubleshooting findings to cross-functional teams.
• Support process scale-up, comparability studies, technology transfer, and laboratory readiness.
• Follow applicable safety, quality, and controlled-documentation procedures.
• Support occasional weekend or extended-hour coverage based on process schedules.

Skills

Downstream purification

Pilot-scale

AKTA systems

UNICORN

Data documentation

Education

AA/AS degree

BS/BE degree

Tools

ÄKTA systems

UNICORN

Job description

Associate Scientist - Downstream Bioprocess

San Mateo, United States | Posted on 10/01/2026

Our client, a worldleader in life sciences and biotechnology, is looking for an “AssociateScientist - Downstream Bioprocess” based in Foster City, CA.

Job Duration:LongTerm Contract(Possibility of Extension)

Pay Rate : $54.50/hr onW2

Company Benefits: Medical, Paid Sickleave, 401K

The ideal candidate will have practical experience executing downstream purification processes in a pilot, manufacturing, or process development environment and be comfortable operating chromatography and filtration equipment while working within controlled documentation and schedule-driven workflows.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and execute pilot-scale downstream purification runs, including clarification, chromatography, TFF, viral filtration, depth filtration, and centrifugation .
• Prepare buffers and reagents and perform equipment setup, operation, cleaning, and teardown.
• Operate ÄKTA chromatography systems and UNICORN software for process execution and data collection.
• Pack and unpack chromatography columns and support chromatography process activities.
• Operate single-use equipment and filtration systems in a pilot-scale environment.
• Monitor process performance, analyze run data, identify process issues, and troubleshoot deviations in real time.
• Accurately document activities in SOPs, batch records, run sheets, and technical summaries .
• Communicate observations, process results, and troubleshooting findings to cross-functional teams.
• Support process scale-up, comparability studies, technology transfer, and laboratory readiness activities.
• Follow applicable safety, quality, and controlled-documentation procedures.
• Support occasional weekend or extended-hour coverage based on process schedules.

Required Qualifications

• AA/AS degree with 4+ years of relevant industry experience in downstream purification or bioprocessing; OR
• BS/BE degree in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Biology, or a related field with 2+ years of relevant industry experience .
• Hands-on pilot-scale downstream bioprocessing experience is required .

Practical experience with downstream purification operations such as:

• Chromatography
• TFF
• Depth filtration
• Centrifugation
• Clarification
• Buffer preparation
• Hands-on experience operating ÄKTA systems and UNICORN .
• Experience with chromatography column operation, including packing/unpacking, is highly relevant.

Preferred Qualifications

• End-to-end downstream purification experience rather than experience limited to a single unit operation.
• Biologics pilot plant or manufacturing experience.
• Experience supporting process development, scale-up, technology transfer, or comparability activities.
• Experience with single-use technologies and equipment .
• GMP/cGMP or GMP-adjacent experience.
• Experience with controlled documentation, batch records, SOPs, and deviation reporting.