Manufacturing Associate

Kanvas Biosciences; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering biotechnology company based in South San Francisco is seeking a Manufacturing Associate Scientist to join their cGMP manufacturing team. The candidate will assist in producing microbial drug substances, ensuring compliance with manufacturing standards. The ideal applicant possesses a degree in microbiology or a related field along with relevant experience in biopharmaceutical environments. This position is a one-year contract with potential for full-time employment.

Qualifications

• 2-3 years of relevant experience in biopharmaceutical, microbiome, or cGMP manufacturing.
• Experience with anaerobic fermentation and microbial culture handling preferred.
• Working understanding of cGMP regulations and FDA guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Execute upstream fermentation and downstream TFF operations for drug manufacturing.
• Prepare and sterilize media and buffers according to batch records.
• Operate and maintain equipment such as bioreactors and isolators.

Skills

Aseptic techniques

Collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in relevant field

Job description

Senior Recruiter - Specializes in Biopharma, Med Device, and Biotech

About Us

Kanvas Biosciences is a pioneering microbiome therapeutics company developing the world’s first spatial microbiome drug screening, discovery, and manufacturing platform. Our mission is to unlock the microbiome as a druggable organ system to revolutionize the treatment of microbiome‑associated diseases. With cutting‑edge imaging, microbial ecology, and biomanufacturing expertise, our team is leading the development of next‑generation live biotherapeutic products (LBPs).

About the Role

We are seeking a highly motivated Manufacturing Associate Scientist to join our cGMP manufacturing team. The successful candidate will play a key role in producing microbial drug substances and drug products under anaerobic and aseptic conditions, ensuring operations are conducted in full compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). This individual will support end‑to‑end manufacturing—from media preparation to final fill—helping enable the delivery of high‑quality, first‑in‑class microbiome‑based therapeutics.

What You’ll Do

• Execute upstream fermentation and downstream TFF operations for LBP drug substance manufacturing under cGMP conditions.
• Prepare and sterilize media, buffers, and process solutions according to batch records and SOPs.
• Operate, monitor, and maintain equipment such as anaerobic chambers, bioreactors, tangential flow filtration systems, isolators, and cleanroom utilities.
• Perform aseptic manipulations within biosafety cabinets and isolators to maintain product sterility and integrity.
• Accurately complete batch production records, equipment logs, and deviation reports in compliance with cGMP and internal QA standards.
• Assist in equipment setup, calibration, cleaning, and sterilization, ensuring readiness for manufacturing runs.
• Support in‑process sampling and testing, including microbial viability, pH, OD, and other critical process parameters.
• Collaborate with Process Development, Quality, and Analytical teams to support technology transfer, troubleshooting, and deviation resolution.
• Participate in environmental monitoring (EM), gowning qualification, and cleanroom maintenance activities.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing yield, compliance, and process robustness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in microbiology, Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering, or related field; or equivalent hands‑on manufacturing experience.
• 2‑3 years of relevant experience in biopharmaceutical, microbiome, or cGMP manufacturing environments.
• Experience with single‑use anaerobic fermentation, microbial culture handling, or multi‑strain consortia preferred.
• Strong knowledge of aseptic techniques, sterile gowning, and cleanroom operations.
• Working understanding of cGMP regulations, FDA, and ICH guidelines.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and commitment to data integrity and product quality.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast‑paced, cross‑functional environment.
• Flexibility to work weekends, evenings, or shift schedules as required to support production.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 25–50 lbs.
• Comfortable working in controlled ISO‑8 cleanroom environments and following strict gowning procedures.
• Capable of wearing PPE and operating within anaerobic isolators for extended durations.
• One‑year contract with opportunity to be hired full time after that.

Our Values

• We hire good people who are also great scientists. Kanvas is fortunate enough to have world‑class scientists leading its R&D and scientific programs. But their unique talent is not the only reason they were hired. We strongly value integrity, honesty, dedication, and sportsmanship as critical traits in our team members.
• We think like explorers. We recognize that we are trying to do something that has never been done before. While these new frontiers excite us, we are also cognizant of the magnitude of the challenges ahead. As we navigate uncharted territories, we devote the necessary preparation, creativity, and effort required to achieve our goals.
• We have a steadfast commitment to the team. We believe that our collective knowledge, experience, and talent is enough to overcome any problem. We put our team members in the best positions for them to succeed and will be there to support them regardless of the outcome.
• We believe there is power in diversity. This statement applies both to the microbiome we study and also encoded in our team and culture. The members of Kanvas represent different ages, races, nationalities, genders, identities, and orientations. We view these differences as a strength because different vista points fuel our scientific discoveries and fortify our company culture.

Seniority level: Entry level

Employment type: Contract

Job function: Research, Manufacturing, and Science

Industries: Biotechnology Research and Medical Equipment Manufacturing