Senior Research Associate (Fermentation / Recovery)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory•Berkeley, CA

10d•$75,384 - $96,036•Onsite

About The Position

Berkeley Lab’s Biological Systems and Engineering Division is hiring a Senior Research Associate to support the Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Process Development Unit. The role supports bench- and pilot-scale fermentation, recovery, and purification of biofuels, biochemicals, proteins, enzymes, and materials, scaling processes from shake flasks to 300 L. The associate operates bioreactors and recovery equipment, conducts experiments according to batch records and standard operating procedures, troubleshoots processes, analyzes preliminary data, and documents and communicates results to supervisors and project teams. The position is a full-time, exempt, benefits-eligible, two-year term appointment, with the possibility of extension or conversion to a career appointment based on satisfactory performance, continued funding, and operational needs. It is performed onsite at Berkeley Lab’s Emeryville Station East Operations Center and West Berkeley Biocenter. The anticipated start date is January 4, 2027.

Requirements

At least 2 years of experience in fermentation, bioprocessing, recovery, biochemical engineering, microbiology, or related process-development activities.
Hands-on experience with bioreactors and/or downstream processing equipment, including fermentation process development, recovery operations, or process scale-up activities.
Ability to execute established experimental procedures and operate bench-scale equipment, and to support pilot-scale operations under general guidance from the supervisor.
Ability to follow SOPs and batch records, maintain accurate experimental documentation, and organize and conduct preliminary analysis of experimental data.
Proficiency with standard computer applications, including spreadsheets, presentation software, and shared file-management systems.
Ability to troubleshoot routine laboratory or process equipment issues and seek additional technical guidance when needed.
Strong organizational and record-keeping skills, including the ability to organize and present project updates.
Communication skills and ability to work with an interdisciplinary research team.
Ability to frequently lift up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree or equivalent knowledge/training in Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related field.
Experience with pilot-scale fermentation or downstream processing equipment.
Ability to learn and implement new laboratory and process techniques.

Responsibilities

Execute fermentation process development and scale-up activities.
Perform hands-on fermentation and recovery operations from bench to 300 L pilot scale.
Prepare media, reagents, equipment, and batch records.
Operate bioreactors and manage inoculation, sampling, feeding, and process monitoring.
Operate and troubleshoot bioreactors, centrifuges, homogenizers, filtration systems, and chromatography equipment.
Perform recovery and purification processes, including centrifugation, liquid-liquid extraction, tangential flow filtration, and chromatography.
Operate analytical tools, including HPLC, GC, process mass spectrometry, and other process-monitoring systems.
Maintain experimental records, analyze data, identify trends, and communicate results through reports and presentations.
Conduct assigned BSL-2 laboratory work involving bacterial and mammalian cell cultures.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across fermentation, recovery, biomass deconstruction, and analytics.
Follow and help update SOPs and batch records while maintaining equipment, laboratory organization, and safety standards.
Assist with general laboratory activities, including cleaning, waste disposal, inventory, purchasing, and laboratory organization.