Senior Scientist, Analytical Operations

Prolific Machines•Emeryville, CA

3d•$150,000 - $180,000•Onsite

About The Position

Prolific Machines is seeking a Senior Scientist for its Analytical Chemistry team. The scientist will execute and improve core analytical procedures, including titer determination and assessment of product quality attributes such as aggregation, charge heterogeneity, and glycan composition. The role will also design and execute characterization work supporting cell line development (CLD) and bioprocess development (BPD) programs. It balances hands-on laboratory work with coordinating team resources and managing people. The position is based in Emeryville, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is salaried and exempt, with semi-monthly pay. The stated salary range is $150,000–$180,000, with starting salary dependent on experience, knowledge, and skillset.

Requirements

PhD in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field and 5+ years of biologics industry experience, or an MS/BS with equivalent relevant industry experience.
Track record of measurably improving analytical workflow throughput, turnaround, or robustness in a high-volume setting.
Deep hands-on expertise in chromatographic and electrophoretic methods for biologics, such as Protein A, SEC, RP, IEX, CE-SDS, and icIEF, including troubleshooting.
Hands-on LC-MS experience for protein characterization, including intact and subunit mass, peptide mapping, PTM and glycan analysis, and use of MS data processing software.
Experience leading characterization of a biologic for a project team, including designing studies, interpreting complex or conflicting data, and making clear recommendations.
Statistical thinking in experimental design and interpretation.
Experience managing research associates and early-career scientists.
Strong organization and ability to balance routine delivery with project work and make trade-offs explicit.
Strong communication skills and comfort presenting at multiple levels of technical detail.

Nice To Haves

Experience with complex modalities such as bispecifics and fusion proteins.
Experience with CHO-based expression and process development.
Familiarity with phase-appropriate method qualification (ICH Q2(R2)/Q14) and IND-enabling CMC analytics.

Responsibilities

Manage day-to-day execution of core platform assays for CLD and BPD programs, delivering data on agreed turnaround times with consistent, documented quality.
Coordinate research associates across multiple projects and translate results into recommendations for clone selection and process decisions.
Identify and remove bottlenecks across workflows, from sample intake and preparation through instrument scheduling, data processing, and review.
Own system suitability criteria, control standards, and performance trending for high-volume characterizations; lead troubleshooting and root-cause investigations when assays drift.
Design, run, and interpret characterization studies involving size and charge variants, post-translational modifications, glycosylation, intact and subunit mass, peptide mapping, and assembly of multispecific formats.
Write and maintain methods, SOPs, processing templates, and reports to ensure data consistency across analysts.
Manage and maintain analytical instrumentation, including HPLC/UPLC, CE, LC-MS including Agilent QTOF, and AKTA, through preventative maintenance, calibration, and vendor coordination.
Train and mentor Research Associates and Scientists on assay execution and characterization, and set standards for execution, documentation, and reporting.