Research Associate Intern

PBS Biotech; Camarillo (CA); On-site; USD 20,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

This internship emphasizes real laboratory experience, SOP-driven work, and collaboration across departments to advance bioprocess technologies in a rapidly growing field.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical/biochemical engineering, life sciences or biotechnology.
• Proficiency in aseptic cell culture techniques.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture; bioreactor operation a plus.
• Creative solutions and reproducible task performance.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Proximity to Ventura County and weekend work flexibility.

Responsibilities

• Actively participate in daily laboratory operations and material management.
• Operate and maintain lab equipment and bioreactors as needed.
• Perform cell culture and analytical operations including media prep and sampling.
• Assist in experiments for bioprocess development, optimization, and characterization.
• Generate and record data; write reports accurately and timely.
• Follow SOPs and contribute to writing/reviewing new SOPs.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality to support product development.

Skills

Aseptic cell culture

Mammalian cell culture

Creative problem solving

Strong communication

Weekend availability

Education

Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering / Biochemical Engineering / Life Sciences / Biotechnology

Job description

Launch Your Career in Biotechnology at PBS Biotech

Looking for more than "just an internship?"

At PBS Biotech, our interns work alongside experienced scientists on meaningful projects that contribute to the future of cell and gene therapy manufacturing. PBS Biotech, Inc. is a private company based in Camarillo, CA, that manufactures and sells revolutionary single‑use bioreactors ideal for scale‑up of cell and gene therapy manufacturing. With a fully equipped in‑house R&D laboratory, we also provide world‑class contract services for manufacturing process development with leading expertise in various cell and gene therapy product types.

We are seeking a dedicated and highly motivated Research Associate Intern to join our growing bioprocess R&D team. This position is an invaluable opportunity to gain experience working with cutting‑edge technology and a variety of cell types that are significant to the rapidly emerging cell and gene therapy market.

This is an opportunity to gain real laboratory experience, learn cutting‑edge bioprocess technologies, and develop skills that can launch your career.

Outstanding interns may be considered for full‑time conversion into a Research Associate position based on performance and business needs.

What Makes This Internship Different?

This isn't a shadowing internship.

You’ll be actively involved in:

• Learn and perform daily laboratory operations including cleaning, sterility maintenance, material stocking, equipment monitoring, etc.
• Assist in equipment and material management.
• Learn how to operate and maintain lab equipment and bioreactors.
• Learn mammalian cell culture techniques and analytical methods.
• Perform basic cell culture and analytical operations including media preparation, bioreactor sub‑assembly preparation and set‑up, seed culture expansion, cell growth monitoring, metabolite analysis, autoclaving, sample preparation, and processing.
• Assist in experiments for bioprocess and analytical development, optimization, and characterization.
• Generate and record data from assigned experiments and write reports in an accurate and timely manner.
• Understand and follow each step of existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and write and review new SOPs as needed.
• Engage in team research efforts and activities through experimental design and execution, data collection and analysis, and discussion to improve and optimize cell manufacturing processes.
• Support internal product development and improvement efforts through experimentation (e.g., performing biological testing of new or modified products) and communication with other departments (e.g., Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality).

Experience needed

• Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Life Sciences or Biotechnology
• Proficiency in aseptic cell culture technique
• Experience with mammalian cell culture, with bioreactor operation experience a plus
• Ability to provide creative solutions and to perform tasks accurately and reproducibly
• Highly organized with strong oral and written communication skills
• Proximity to Ventura County and flexible schedule to allow for weekend work on experiments as needed

Why Join PBS?

Whether you’re just beginning your career or preparing for graduate school, you’ll gain exposure to work that few early‑career scientists experience.

You’ll learn from industry experts while contributing to real research programs in an innovative and collaborative environment.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re seeking candidates who are:

• Passionate about biotechnology and life sciences
• Curious and eager to learn
• Strong communicators and collaborative teammates
• Detail‑oriented with excellent laboratory practices
• Excited about making an impact in a growing biotechnology company

Grow With Us

At PBS Biotech, we believe great careers start with great opportunities.

If you’re ready to build your scientific career while helping advance technologies that support the future of medicine, we’d love to hear from you.

Join our team and help shape what’s next.