Downstream Bioprocess Associate

ACL Digital; Foster City (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

ACL Digital is seeking an experienced Downstream Purification Specialist in Foster City, CA to plan and execute pilot-scale purification runs, including chromatography and filtration steps. You will prepare buffers, operate ÄKTA systems and UNICORN, and document runs in batch records and SOPs.

The role emphasizes data interpretation, troubleshooting, and cross-functional communication, with coverage that may include occasional extended hours and weekends.

Qualifications

• AA/AS degree with more than 4 years of relevant industry experience in downstream purification or bioprocessing; or BS/BE with more than 2 years of relevant experience.
• Experience operating ÄKTA systems and working with UNICORN; chromatography column operation is highly relevant.
• Clear technical communication, documentation, organization, and collaborative problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute downstream purification runs, including clarification, chromatography, TFF, and viral filtration in a schedule-driven pilot environment.
• Prepare buffers and reagents; set up, operate, clean, and teardown pilot-scale and single-use equipment.
• Pack and unpack chromatography columns, operate ÄKTA systems, and use UNICORN methods for run execution.
• Document work in SOPs, batch records, run sheets, and summaries; capture observations and deviations clearly.
• Monitor process performance, interpret data, troubleshoot during runs, and communicate findings to cross-functional partners.
• Support process scale-up, comparability activities, technology transfer, lab readiness, and occasional weekend or extended-hour coverage.

Skills

Downstream purification operations

Chromatography

TFF

Viral filtration

Depth filtration

Centrifugation

Buffer preparation

Education

AA/AS degree plus 4+ years in downstream purification/bioprocessing

BS/BE in chemical/biochemical engineering, biochemistry, biology

Tools

ÄKTA systems

UNICORN

Chromatography column operation

Job description

Work directly with pilot-scale chromatography, TFF, viral filtration, depth filtration, centrifugation, and single-use equipment.

Build practical skills in scale-up, end-to-end run execution, controlled documentation, troubleshooting, and technology transfer.

Contribute to multiple early- and late-stage biologics programs in a collaborative, fast-moving environment.

Gain meaningful continuity through a 12-month contract that runs from your start date.

What You’ll Do

Plan and execute downstream purification runs, including clarification, chromatography, TFF, and viral filtration, in a schedule-driven pilot environment.

Prepare buffers and reagents; set up, operate, clean, and tear down pilot-scale and single-use equipment.

Pack and unpack chromatography columns, operate ÄKTA systems, and use UNICORN methods for run execution.

Document work in SOPs, batch records, run sheets, and summaries; capture observations and deviations clearly.

Monitor process performance, interpret data, troubleshoot during runs, and communicate findings to cross-functional partners.

Support process scale-up, comparability activities, technology transfer, lab readiness, and occasional weekend or extended-hour coverage.

What You’ll Bring

Experience with downstream purification operations such as chromatography, TFF, viral filtration, depth filtration, centrifugation, and buffer preparation.

Experience operating ÄKTA systems and working with UNICORN; chromatography column operation experience is strongly relevant.

Clear technical communication, documentation, organization, and collaborative problem-solving skills.

Your broader experience can come from bench, pilot, or manufacturing settings; hands‑on pilot-scale work is the one must‑have.

Education

AA/AS degree with more than 4 years of relevant industry experience in downstream purification or bioprocessing; or

BS/BE in chemical or biochemical engineering, biochemistry, biology, or a related discipline with more than 2 years of relevant experience.