Associate, Technical Development Operations

Spectraforce Technologies, Inc.; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Spectraforce Technologies, Inc. in South San Francisco, CA, is hiring an Associate for Technical Development Operations for a 6-month assignment.

The role focuses on downstream AAV development and production within process development for gene therapy programs, requiring on-site work in a lab/office setting. The position emphasizes collaboration, meticulous record-keeping, and the ability to adapt to fast-paced biotech environments.

Qualifications

• BS in Life Science or Engineering or equivalent experience.
• 0-2+ years of experience in pharma/biologics lab or manufacturing environment.
• Understanding of downstream process theory and equipment operation.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Detail-oriented with record-keeping and documentation skills.
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Willingness to work outside normal hours/overtime sometimes.

Responsibilities

• Perform operations per internal policies and requirements.
• Execute downstream process development experiments.
• Support downstream purification unit operations (e.g., chromatography, TFF, filtration).
• Operate production equipment: inspection, setup, processing, cleaning.
• Establish equipment specs and improve operating techniques.
• Address issues with timely corrective actions.
• Attend safety meetings and maintain a safe work environment.
• Contribute to process improvement plans and drive to completion.
• Collaborate in a team environment to achieve goals.
• Assist with non-GMP process development experiments and documentation.
• Maintain digital records of research production activities.

Skills

Strong communicator

Detail-oriented

MS Office

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Independent worker

Education

BS in Life Science or Engineering

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Position Title: Associate, Technical Development Operations
Work Location: South San Francisco, CA 94080
Assignment Duration: 6 months

Purpose & Scope:

This position reports to the Lead, Technical Department Operations in the Technical Development Department within the client's Cell and Gene Therapy Research Division. The associate will participate in downstream areas of AAV development and production within process development for gene therapy programs and processes. This position will be located in South San Francisco, CA.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• Perform all operations as directed per internal policies and other requirements.
• Execute experiments for downstream process development activities
• Support downstream purification unit operations (such as chromatography, clarification, tangential flow filtration, sterile filtration, column packing, etc.)
• Operate production equipment, including inspection, set up, processing, and cleaning
• Establish operating equipment specifications and improve operational techniques
• Execute corrective measures addressing any issues in a timely manner
• Attend safety meetings and follow all safety procedures as defined, including maintaining a safe work environment for both self and colleagues. Execute corrective measures addressing any issues in a timely manner
• Ability to contribute to process improvement plans and help drive to completion
• Conduct operations in a collaborative, team environment with a positive attitude to accomplish goals
• Assist with process development experiments following defined experimental plans for non-GMP supply
• Document preparation and maintenance for process development and research grade AAV production operations.
• Maintain digital records of all research production activities using in-house systems and shared digital document repositories.
• Follow laboratory safety procedures.
• Other duties as assigned
• This is a lab and office-centric position that requires onsite work.

Qualifications:

Required

• BS in Life Science or Engineering or equivalent experience
• Associate I: 0-2+ years of experience working in a pharmaceutical/biologics lab or manufacturing environment
• Display understanding of downstream process theory (i.e., Depth Filtration, Harvest, Tangential Flow Filtration, Column Chromatography) and equipment operation
• Strong communicator with ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
• Demonstrated experience in maintaining detailed records and ability to assist in document revisions
• Strong computer skills including MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Effective problem-solving skills
• Available to work outside of normal business hours and/or overtime as required (occasional weekend work)

Preferred

• Experience in biologics (protein, enzyme, AAV) purification
• Technical understanding of a biotech manufacturing facility
• Experience with single-use technologies
• Working knowledge of disposable manufacturing methodology such as the use of sterile bags with tubing and tubing welders
• Ability to multi-task, be flexible and to thrive in a fast-paced environment, as well as the capacity to handle uncertainty and changing priorities