Overview In this role you contribute to upstream fermentation development for protein production, working within the Upstream Process Development group to optimize bioreactor-based workflows. You will collaborate across teams to scale processes from lab to pilot facilities, troubleshoot, and implement improvements. The position offers hands-on fermentation experience, data-driven optimization, and mentorship of junior colleagues in a mission-driven biotech environment. You help enable robust, scalable processes that support Vaxcyte's vaccine development goals and product quality.
Compensation / Benefits- comprehensive benefits
- equity component
- onsite work requirement
- team-oriented culture
- career development opportunities
- competitive compensation
Responsibilities- Develop and characterize upstream fermentation processes for protein production
- Operate and maintain bioreactors (including Ambr 250) at laboratory scale
- Develop, test, and implement fed-batch feeding recipes
- Provide engineering support for scale-down model design, implementation and qualification
- Author SOPs, process flow diagrams, and batch records
- Analyze fermentation data and present findings at internal meetings
- Collaborate with Downstream Process Development, Pilot Plant, MSAT, and Analytical Development
- Mentor junior team members and provide guidance to the team
Key requirements- PhD with 2-5 years, MS with 7 years, or BA/BS with a minimum of 10 years of relevant pharma/biotech experience
- Strong background in fermentation and/or primary recovery operations
- Knowledge of bioreactor design, operation, and controls
- Strong aseptic technique knowledge
- Experience with primary recovery operations is a plus (homogenization, centrifugation, depth filtration)
- Understanding of fermentation scale-up and scale-down model development
- Familiarity with Design of Experiments (DoE) principles and software
- Regulatory knowledge relevant to biotherapeutics
- Late-stage process characterization experience is a plus
- team collaboration and strong communication
- problem-solving and troubleshooting
- initiative and independence in work
- fermentation process development
- upstream bioprocessing
- bioreactor operation and controls
