Research Associate - Pilot Lab

Kemin•Lenexa, KS

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Hennessy Research Associates – a Kemin company is looking for a Research Associate to work closely with and support projects led by the Pilot Lab Application Engineering Manager. This role operates within an aseptic, operations‑driven environment where tasks are aligned to the production schedule. This work centers on cell, viral, and bacterial vaccine manufacturing, requiring strong technical execution and attention to detail. The Research Associate serves as the critical middle point between research and manufacturing, ensuring that methods developed in R&D can be executed reliably, safely, and efficiently at scale. Success in this role requires someone who is hands‑on, persistent, and unafraid to push through obstacles when challenges arise. The Research Associate will sit on-site in Lenexa, KS. Join the Kemin Team and Transform Lives! We are a privately held, family-owned-and-operated global biotechnology company driven by curiosity and committed to transforming the quality of life for people, pets, and the planet. We create solutions that strengthen health and wellbeing, provide nutrition and immune support for pets and production animals, safeguard the planet’s natural resources, and protect the global food supply chain for generations to come. We supply over 500 specialty ingredients for various industries, including human and animal health and nutrition, pet food, aquaculture, nutraceutical, food technologies, crop technologies, textiles, biofuels, and animal vaccines. We employ 3,500 global employees and operations in 90 countries, including manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Italy, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa, and the United States.

Requirements

Associates Degree with 2+ years of relevant experience in a pilot lab OR Bachelors Degree with 0-3 years of relevant experience in a pilot lab.
Aseptic technique experience within a cGMP manufacturing environment.
Hands‑on experience with equipment setup, troubleshooting, and routine maintenance.
Background in cell culture laboratory operations, including handling of mammalian or microbial systems.
Familiarity with downstream processing (e.g., filtration, chromatography, clarification).
Experience operating or supporting bench‑scale or pilot‑scale fermentors/bioreactors.
Ability to work under pressure and able to handle multiple projects efficiently.
Analytical lab skills with a strong scientific curiosity and innovative thinking.
Reliable and self-motivated.
Good understanding of Microsoft office products (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.)
Good written and oral communication skills.
Basic understanding of English, both written and oral.
Ability to interact well with others in a team environment.

Responsibilities

Perform lab experiments within well-defined guidelines and under direct supervision; operate laboratory equipment.
Prepare solutions, set up equipment, perform sampling, conduct in‑process testing, and complete end‑of‑run cleanup
Assist with project planning and scheduling
Perform testing and data analysis
Execute project tasks, including optimization runs and equivalency studies
Support auction‑acquired equipment start‑up, troubleshooting, and routine maintenance
Coordinate with vendors
Perform calibrations
Learn and understand equipment operation
Support new equipment start‑up, troubleshooting, and maintenance
Create, revise, and update batch records
Develop new procedures for facility operations and new equipment
Set up downstream processing operations
Clean and organize downstream areas
Run and maintain downstream processes
Assist with scale‑up activities
Operate and maintain fermentor vessels and processes
Order and organize equipment
Clean and maintain production areas
Order supplies and maintain accurate inventory levels