Downstream Process Scientist & Engineer

Breakout Ventures; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Job summary

Checkerspot is seeking a Scientist/Engineer for its Process Development team to optimize downstream oil recovery from microbial biomass. You will work on aqueous, solvent, and mechanical extraction, plus refining steps, collaborating with Fermentation and Analytical teams to deliver high-quality samples.

You will design experiments, scale from bench to pilot, and develop tech transfer documentation while maintaining strong SOPs and bench records in Benchling.

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant field with strong lab experience.
• Grounding in mass balance and process performance evaluation.
• Experience with downstream unit operations and scale-up.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize oil recovery from microbial biomass using aqueous, solvent, or mechanical extraction.
• Drive experimental design and DOE to improve recovery, throughput, and quality.
• Scale processes from bench to semi-pilot and pilot operations.
• Prepare transfer documents for downstream processing and coordinate with partners.
• Maintain rigorous documentation in Benchling and support mass balance analyses.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Team oriented

Problem solving

Statistical DOE (JMP)

Project coordination

Ability to lift up to 50 lbs

Education

B.S. in Chemical/Bioprocess Engineering or related field

M.S. in related field

Ph.D. in related field

Tools

Benchling

JMP

Job description

Checkerspot is seeking a Scientist/Engineer for its Process Development team to optimize downstream oil recovery from microbial biomass. You will work on aqueous, solvent, and mechanical extraction, plus refining steps, collaborating with Fermentation and Analytical teams to deliver high-quality samples.

You will design experiments, scale from bench to pilot, and develop tech transfer documentation while maintaining strong SOPs and bench records in Benchling.