Senior Associate Scientist - Biopharmaceutical Pilot Registration Lab

Zoetis; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Zoetis is seeking a Senior Associate Scientist for the Biopharmaceutical Pilot Registration Lab in Lincoln, Nebraska. You will drive development, scale-up, and tech transfer of CHO‑expressed monoclonal antibodies for veterinary use in a GMP environment.

Collaborating with cross‑functional teams, you will lead upstream and/or downstream operations, perform process documentation, and contribute to successful transfer from development to pilot and commercial manufacture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (minimum) in biological sciences, chemical engineering, or related field.
• Significant practical experience and theoretical knowledge of upstream cell culture and/or downstream processing (centrifugation, filtration, chromatography).
• Proven track record in GMP-regulated environments, including process scale-up and tech transfer to commercial facilities.

Responsibilities

• Advanced experience in setting up, programming, operating and troubleshooting large-scale equipment for expression (mammalian cell culture) and/or purification of recombinant therapeutic proteins.
• Represent the lab as a key technical leader in cross-functional project teams, collaborating with process development and manufacturing teams, driving process optimization and scale-up, ensuring seamless, high-quality technology transfer
• Demonstrate advanced expertise in authoring and reviewing process documentation, SOPs, protocols, technology transfer documents and regulatory filings ensuring the highest standards of scientific rigor and quality
• Hands-on execution and support of upstream cell culture (shake flask to 2000-L production scale) and/or downstream purification (centrifugation, chromatography, filtration) to produce GMP batches of drug substance
• Drive continuous improvement by optimizing existing workflows and procedures
• Ensure accurate and compliant documentation in accordance with current GMP standards
• Perform preventative maintenance on portable and stationary equipment
• Maintain, clean, and perform steam-in-place procedures for equipment

Skills

Upstream cell culture

Downstream processing

Process scale-up

Tech transfer

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological sciences

Chemical engineering

Advanced degree advantageous

Tools

SCADA

DeltaV

Unicorn

Job description

Role DescriptionAs a Senior Associate Scientist in the Biopharmaceutical Pilot Registration Lab, you will play a vital role in the development, scale-up, and technology transfer of CHO-expressed monoclonal antibodies for veterinary use. You will operate in a GMP-regulated environment, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure a successful transition from development to pilot to commercial manufacturing. This role requires hands‑on technical expertise in upstream and/or downstream processing, as well as strong organizational and communication skills. The position is based in Lincoln, Nebraska with frequent interactions with colleagues and external partners located around the globe.

Position Responsibilities

• Advanced experience in setting up, programming, operating and troubleshooting large‑scale equipment for expression (mammalian cell culture) and/or purification of recombinant therapeutic proteins
• Represent the lab as a key technical leader in cross‑functional project teams, collaborating with process development and manufacturing teams, driving process optimization and scale‑up, ensuring seamless, high‑quality technology transfer
• Demonstrate advanced expertise in authoring and reviewing process documentation, SOPs, protocols, technology transfer documents and regulatory filings ensuring the highest standards of scientific rigor and quality
• Hands‑on execution and support of upstream cell culture (shake flask to 2000‑L production scale) and/or downstream purification (centrifugation, chromatography, filtration) to produce GMP batches of drug substance
• Drive continuous improvement by optimizing existing workflows and procedures
• Ensure accurate and compliant documentation in accordance with current GMP standards
• Perform preventative maintenance on portable and stationary equipment
• Maintain, clean, and perform steam‑in‑place procedures for equipment

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree (minimum) in biological sciences, chemical engineering, or related field. Advanced degree would be advantageous.
• Significant practical experience and theoretical knowledge of upstream cell culture and/or downstream processing (centrifugation, filtration, chromatography)
• Proven track record in GMP-regulated environments, including process scale-up and tech transfer to commercial facilities.

Technical Skills Requirements

• Strong scientific and engineering background in the principles for process scale‑up and robustness
• Experience with instrumentation, control systems, and advanced troubleshooting for pilot‑scale GMP operations, including practical experience with automated control and data capture systems such as SCADA, Delta V, and Unicorn
• Knowledge of equipment specification, qualification, operation, and maintenance in a regulated environment
• Experience with large‑scale bioreactor and/or purification equipment
• Working knowledge of GMP systems (change control, SAP, LIMS) is desirable
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including after‑hours monitoring as needed
• Ability to perform physically demanding tasks typical of a pilot‑scale lab environment
• Excellent aseptic technique
• Experience with cGMPs, inspection, and compliance
• Demonstrated ability to work independently on multiple concurrent programs
• Familiarity with regulatory frameworks for veterinary biopharmaceuticals is desirable
• Strong organizational and people skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proven ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative team

Employment Type

• Full time
• Regular
• Colleague

Zoetis is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status or any other protected classification.

Disabled individuals are given an equal opportunity to use our online application system. We offer reasonable accommodations as an alternative if requested by an individual with a disability. Please contact Zoetis Colleague Services at [e-mail] to request an accommodation.

Zoetis also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

All applicants must possess or obtain authorization to work in the US for Zoetis.

Zoetis retains sole and exclusive discretion to pursue sponsorship for the acquisition or maintenance of nonimmigrant status and employment eligibility, considering factors such as availability of qualified US workers. Individuals requiring sponsorship must disclose this fact.