Research Associate

Research Associate I/II – BioreactorsLocation: San Diego, CAEmployment Type: Full-Time ContractContract Duration: 6–12 monthsWork Arrangement: Fully onsite, five days per weekBioPhase is seeking a Research Associate I/II with hands-on benchtop bioreactor experience to support an innovative company developing scalable bioprocesses for industrial applications.In this laboratory-based role, you will design, execute, analyze, and document fermentation experiments, primarily using bioreactors, with occasional work in shake flasks and 96-well plates. You will collaborate with scientists and engineers to optimize cultivation conditions, troubleshoot experiments, and turn early-stage methods into robust, reproducible workflows.The ideal candidate brings at least two years of relevant experience, strong experimental ownership, and the flexibility to contribute in a fast-moving startup environment.Key Responsibilities:Design, execute, analyze, and document fermentation experiments in bioreactors, with occasional experiments using flasks and 96-well plates.Conduct optimization studies, including media development, growth and productivity studies, and cultivation-condition screening.Troubleshoot unexpected experimental results and communicate findings and proposed next steps.Develop and refine standard operating procedures for new and existing laboratory workflows.Prepare, sterilize, and optimize growth media, buffers, and reagents.Perform routine cultivation analytics, including optical density measurements, growth monitoring, sampling, sample preparation, and sample submission.Maintain accurate experimental records that allow others to reproduce methods and results.Analyze and present experimental data clearly to colleagues and project teams.Collaborate with scientists, engineers, and research associates to improve reproducibility, scalability, and process robustness.Maintain laboratory organization, equipment readiness, and consumable inventory.Follow laboratory safety, chemical hygiene, and responsible research practices.Required Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Microbiology, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.At least two years of relevant laboratory experience.Strong hands-on experience operating benchtop bioreactors for cell culture or fermentation.Experience independently designing, executing, and troubleshooting optimization experiments, such as media development or growth studies.Proficiency with aseptic technique, media and buffer preparation, and routine laboratory analytics.Strong attention to detail, organization, and experimental documentation.Ability to clearly communicate experimental results and scientific insights.Ability to work collaboratively and adapt to evolving priorities in a startup environment.Availability to work fully onsite in San Diego, five days per week, for the contract duration.Authorization to work for any employer in the United States.Preferred Qualifications:Experience with high-throughput cultivation, microtiter-plate workflows, and associated data handling.Experience scripting or automating bioreactor operations, including feed schemes, cascades, setpoint profiles, event triggers, and design-of-experiments (DoE) campaigns.Experience using Python, R, or JMP for data analysis.Familiarity with electronic laboratory notebooks, laboratory information management systems (LIMS), or inventory systems.