Process Development Associate

Corbion•San Francisco, CA

47d•$31 - $38•Onsite

About The Position

At Corbion, we exist to champion preservation in all its forms, preserving food and food production, health, and our planet. C orbion’s Algae Ingredients business is based in South San Francisco and leads the industry in developing new applications and markets for algae-based products. We have a range of sustainably produced algae products that deliver breakthrough innovations for human and animal nutrition. An opportunity is available in our Pilot Plant group, located in Belmont, CA, to support process development and technology transfer efforts emphasizing upstream microorganism cultivation operations. As our next process development associate, you will be an integral member of a multi-disciplinary team focused on the development of new products and processes utilizing Corbion’s unique fermentation based technology.

Requirements

Qualified applicants will possess a A.A. or B.A./B.S. in a technical field (Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology or a related field), with 2+ years industrial experience with relevant unit operations, or no degree of the like, but at least 5 years of relevant experience.
Flexible work schedule including weekends.
Must be able to work an adjusted weekday schedule with work days from Sunday to Thursday; Friday and Saturday would be OFF-days.
Ability to shift work days to accommodate operation activities.
Experience in operating, cleaning, and maintaining lab and pilot-scale bioprocessing equipment (autoclave, benchtop and sterilize-in-place fermenters, centrifuge, spectrophotometer, etc..) emphasizing cultivation of microbial broth/biomass and associated products produced by fermentation, preferred.
Experienced with aseptic operations for cultivating microorganisms preferred.
Prior experience in analyzing biological materials using common microbiological and wet chemistry methods (glucose, total sugars, dry cell weight, total solids, optical density of microbial cultures, etc.).
Hands-on mechanical skills with operation and maintenance of bioprocessing and utility system equipment.
Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. and/or use assistive measures to lift materials over 50 lbs.
Excellent written and verbal communication.
Able to work both independently in a multi-disciplinary environment and as a key teammate within an interdisciplinary team.
Capable of working in a fast paced environment without sacrificing accuracy, quality of work, and safety.
Good organizational and time management skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word and Power Point.

Responsibilities

Hands-on role in the setup, operation, and cleaning of bench and pilot scale experiments and equipment, with focus on upstream cultivation of microorganisms and hand-off of fermentation broth to downstream operations.
Work on lab and pilot-scale processes emphasizing upstream cultivation operations including media preparation, aseptic operations, fermenter setup, seed train development in flasks and fermenters, main fermentation operations for product formation, etc.
Operate lab and pilot equipment and processes independently, including operational support of fermentation processes over weekends.
Conduct analytical methods required to monitor processes and materials; hands-on skills with instrumental analysis and wet chemistry.
Provide detailed observations of experiments.
Record data and assist with the analysis of results.
Write test protocols, SOP's and reports.
Work within a team framework, with both individual responsibility and support of other scientists.
Works closely with the Process Development, R&D, Facilities and Manufacturing Groups.
Maintains process area and equipment in good working order.
Support site and operations activities as needed, for example ordering and stocking supplies, conducting maintenance and equipment service, and coordinating activities with vendors.
Other duties as assigned.