Associate Scientist I, Process Development Downstream

Forge Biologics; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Parental leave

401(k) with company match

Employee discounts

Onsite fitness facility

Mentorship and professional growth

Job summary

Forge Biologics, based in Columbus, OH, is seeking an Associate Scientist I to join our team at The Hearth. The role focuses on process development and purification for AAV-based therapies, with close supervision and cross-functional collaboration to optimize purification processes and generate timely data analyses and reports.

Ideal candidates have 0–1 year of relevant laboratory experience and foundational skills in purification, data analysis, and documentation.

Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Biology, Molecular Biology, Virology, Biochemistry or related discipline, or relevant coursework; 0–1 year of experience or equivalent practical experience.
• Internships, job shadowing, or on-the-job learning are acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Learn and contribute to downstream process development activities under supervision.
• Build foundational purification skills (buffer prep, filtration, chromatography, buffer exchange, clarification).
• Abide by safety protocols and assist with lab maintenance.
• Collaborate with peers to support experiments and contribute to data discussions.
• Learn to write simple study plans, PowerPoint presentations and internal reports with guidance.
• Document work clearly in lab notebooks and electronic systems with same-day data entry.
• Develop understanding of downstream process development principles aligned with cGMP requirements.

Skills

Data analysis

PowerPoint

Excel

Education

ChemE / Biology / Virology / Biochemistry degree or coursework

Tools

FPLC chromatography systems

TFF

Job description

Forge Your Future with Us: At Forge Biologics, we believe in turning bold ideas into life-changing realities. Our mission is simple yet powerful: to enable access to life-changing gene therapies and help bring them from ideas into reality. We partner with scientists, physicians, biotech and pharma innovators, and patient communities — all united by one goal: improving lives. If you’re driven by purpose and excited to make a tangible impact, this is where your journey begins. Our team works out of The Hearth, a state-of-the-art, 200,000-square-foot cGMP facility in Columbus, Ohio. Here, you won’t just watch innovation happen — you’ll be part of it. Whether you’re scaling AAV manufacturing, collaborating on cutting-edge therapies, or supporting complex technical projects, you’ll play a key role in bringing hope to patients with genetic diseases. What sets Forge apart is our culture of H.O.P.E.We are hardworking , showing up each day with determination and grit. We are open , creating a space where ideas flow freely, and every voice is valued. We are purpose-driven , with every task directly tied to changing lives. And we are engaged , energized by the challenges we face and the milestones we achieve together. At Forge, your growth matters. We’re committed to helping you expand your skills, take on new challenges, and develop your career through mentorship, hands-on learning, and opportunities for advancement. Our people are our greatest investment, and we’re proud to see team members grow with us. If you’re ready to use your talent to help deliver hope to patients around the world, join us — and be part of something bigger than yourself.

About The Role:

The Associate Scientist I engages in process development activities on a full-time basis and applies basic concepts of purification under close supervision. This person is expected to work closely with cross-functional teams to support in the development and optimization of AAV purification processes, data analysis and summary reports on a timely basis while maintaining compliance and readiness.

Responsibilities:

• L earn s and contribut es to downstream process development activities with supervision
• Builds foundational skills in purification techniques such as buffer preparation, filtration, column chromatography , buffer exchange , c larification techniques , lab cleaning and routine equipment sanitization and monitoring .
• Expected to abide by all safety protocols and contribute to lab maintenance activities.
• Collaborates with peers to support experiments and begins contributing to data discussions and problem-solving in team settings.
• Learns to write simple study plans, PowerPoint presentations and internal reports with guidance .
• Documents all work clearly and contemporaneously in lab notebooks and electronic systems, ensuring same-day data entry , accuracy and traceability.
• Develops an understanding of downstream process development principles and begins learning how purification processes align and with c GMP requirements.

Qualifications:

• Associate's , Bachelor’s or certification, in Chemical Engineering, Biology, Molecular Biology, Virology, Biochemistry or related discipline or relevant coursework; 0–1 year of experience OR equivalent practical experience.
• Prior experience through internships, job shadowing, or on-the-job learning.

Preferred Skills:

• Basic e xperience in laboratory skills such as b uffer manufacturing, steam sterilization etc .
• Basic data analysi s and visualization using excel and PowerPoint skills
• Basic experience with other aspects of downstream purification (e.g. – clarification/filtration, lab scale FPLC chromatography systems, TFF, etc.)

Work Environment and Physical Demands

This position works in both a laboratory environment and typical office environment where the physical work demands will vary depending on the specific tasks and duties required of the job. The employee will be stationary (standing/sitting) for extended periods of time. Employees regularly wear personal protective equipment based on the task being performed. Must be able to work in a confined space, such as a clean room or laboratory environment. Ability to identify small details within the field of vision, distinguish between different colors , and accurately identify objects within a specific area.

Forge Biologics is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workforce. Forge Biologics, provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

At Forge Biologics, we believe our people deserve to be taken care of – in and out of the workplace.

We’ve built a comprehensive compensation and benefits package designed to help you thrive, grow, and feel valued every step of the way:

• Health from day one Health, dental and vision insurance start your first day – with 90% of premiums covered for you and your family.
• Time to recharge A competitive paid time off plan – because rest fuels innovation.
• 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave so you can focus on family when it matters most.
• Rewarding your impact Annual bonus opportunities for all full-time team members.
• 401(k) with company match to help you plan for the future.
• Special employee discounts, including childcare and dependent care savings.
• Your wellness, supported Onsite fitness facility at The Hearth.
• Mental health counseling and financial planning services through our Employee Assistance Program.
• Employer-paid short and long-term disability coverage to protect your peace of mind.
• Fuel for your workday A fully stocked kitchen with free snacks and beverages – we keep you energized and ready for what’s next.
• Grow with us Ongoing professional development resources, training, and mentorship programs to help you build your care and grow within Forge.