Bioprocess Specialist L1

CycloKinetics•Salt Lake City, UT

2d•Onsite

About The Position

CycloKinetics is seeking an entry-level Bioprocess Specialist Level 1 to support hands-on fermentation and bioprocess operations in Salt Lake City, Utah. The position involves operating bioreactors, executing fermentation processes, troubleshooting equipment and process issues, and supporting development and scale-up of bioprocess technologies. The role emphasizes safe and reliable bioreactor operation, aseptic technique, adherence to established protocols, and accurate process-data documentation. The specialist independently executes fermentation runs using established protocols, monitors critical process parameters, performs first-line troubleshooting, and collects data for scientists and engineers. The role also supports process development and scale-up by carrying out experiments designed by senior staff and reporting accurate observations and results. Work takes place on-site across office, laboratory, pilot plant, manufacturing, and industrial environments, with potential exposure to chemicals, process equipment, machinery, and changing temperatures. Non-standard hours may be required to support fermentation operations, and limited travel may be required for production runs. The role is intended for an early-career candidate with relevant education or hands-on experience in bioprocessing, biotechnology, fermentation, microbiology, biochemical engineering, chemical engineering, or biomanufacturing. Employment is contingent on successful completion of background verification and drug screening. The position is classified as exempt and at-will.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering, Microbiology, Chemical Engineering, or a related field, with 0–2 years of relevant laboratory experience in academic or industrial settings; alternatively, an associate degree with 1–4 years of relevant bioprocessing or biomanufacturing experience; or a high school diploma or GED with 2–5 years of direct industry experience.
Hands-on experience with bioreactor operations, or equivalent coursework and laboratory training in fermentation.
Demonstrated working aseptic technique.
Strong communication and documentation skills, including the ability to accurately record and report experimental data.
Prior successful participation in work teams requiring personal accountability, attention to detail, collaboration, and results.
Ability to work safely in an industrial environment where chemicals, process equipment, machinery, and other potential workplace hazards may be present.
Ability to work non-standard hours in accordance with fermentation requirements.
Physical ability to lift and/or move items weighing up to 50 pounds and to bend, stand, reach, climb, walk, and sit for prolonged periods as required.
Use of company-provided personal protective equipment is mandatory.

Nice To Haves

Experience with media preparation and laboratory-scale autoclave operation.
Experience with bench-scale bioreactor systems.
Exposure to analytical instrumentation such as HPLC, GC, or mass spectrometry, including sample-preparation requirements.
Familiarity with bioprocess control software and data historians.

Responsibilities

Follow Environmental, Health, and Safety requirements, laboratory procedures, and established work practices.
Work independently and collaboratively under the direction of the Manager/Supervisor to accomplish assigned objectives and fermentation activities.
Safely handle, measure, mix, and transport chemicals using established procedures and required personal protective equipment.
Execute daily fermentation-process operations in accordance with protocols.
Prepare media, feed solutions, buffers, supplements, and other process materials according to defined formulations and volumes.
Operate autoclaves and sterilize media, vessels, and supporting equipment; verify sterilization outcomes.
Prepare and maintain seed cultures, plates, and inoculum according to established protocols.
Assemble and commission bench-scale bioreactors, including vessel build-up, probe installation, tubing, filters, connections, and leak checks.
Calibrate pH and dissolved oxygen probes and verify calibration before fermentation runs.
Maintain aseptic technique during setup, inoculation, sampling, feeding, and other process activities.
Independently execute fermentation runs according to established protocols and experimental instructions.
Monitor pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, airflow, agitation, pressure, and feed rate against established control limits.
Execute protocol-defined feed profiles, setpoint changes, and process steps; refer proposed changes to the responsible senior staff member or supervisor.
Clean out, tear down, and turn around vessels between runs.
Maintain equipment through routine checks and calibrations and ensure operational readiness.
Support lab-to-pilot-scale activities by executing experiments and collecting data under the direction of senior staff.
Collect scheduled samples and prepare them for downstream testing through dilution, filtration, centrifugation, aliquoting, and labeling.
Submit samples for HPLC, off-gas, and other instrument testing, and track sample status through completion.
Record online process data and manual observations at protocol-required frequencies.
Document deviations, excursions, and equipment faults, including the time, observed condition, and action taken.
Assist with documentation and methods used for product development, scale-up, and implementation.
Maintain accurate and complete laboratory records, including notebooks, test results, and data, in accordance with company documentation, storage, and control guidelines.
Participate in meetings and planning sessions and provide work updates or summaries as requested.
Communicate and organize effectively, maintain accurate documentation, and use Microsoft Suite and related programs.
Perform additional duties as assigned.
Work non-standard hours as required by fermentation operations and undertake limited travel for production runs when required.