Associate Scientist

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Associate Scientist Job Description

The Associate Scientist supports process development activities within a cleaning characterization group focused on designing and optimizing cleaning processes for both drug substance and drug product manufacturing. This role is fully onsite in Thousand Oaks, CA, and involves hands-on wet laboratory work, experimental design, data analysis, and technical documentation to enable robust cleaning validation and support new product introductions across an internal and external manufacturing network.

• Design and perform planned bench-scale experiments to develop and optimize large-scale cleaning processes for biological manufacturing.
• Develop new methods, apparatus, and procedures for bench-scale characterization and scale-up of cleaning processes, including evaluation of chemistries, temperatures, and contact times.
• Generate and maintain detailed technical documentation, including technical reports, assessments, procedures, and cleaning evaluation reports.
• Use characterization data to define key operating parameters (KOPs), testing requirements, and acceptance criteria that support new product launches and cleaning validation studies.
• Collaborate with Quality, Engineering, and Process Development teams to implement validation requirements at full manufacturing scale.
• Support investigations of deviations and non-conformances related to cleaning processes and contribute to root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Assist in preparing technical papers and presentations for internal and external publication or communication.
• Support plant inspections, including regulatory inspections such as pre-approval inspections (PAIs), by providing technical input and documentation related to cleaning processes.
• Apply good laboratory practices by accurately documenting experimental work, maintaining organized records, and ensuring data integrity.
• Handle and dispense chemicals, prepare buffers, and operate common laboratory equipment such as pH meters and conductivity meters.
• Communicate experimental plans, findings, and recommendations clearly in written reports and verbal discussions with cross-functional teams.

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• Approximately 1–2 years of hands-on laboratory experience in an industry, research, or academic setting.
• Demonstrated wet laboratory experience, including routine bench work and handling of chemicals and solutions.
• Comfort working in a laboratory environment and adherence to good laboratory practices.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to accurately document experiments, observations, and results.
• Good written and verbal communication skills for reporting data and collaborating with team members.
• Experience designing and executing bench-scale experiments.
• Ability to design experiments, handle instruments, and perform technical report writing.
• Master’s degree and 2 years of scientific experience, or Bachelor’s degree and 4 years of scientific experience, for consideration at the higher experience tier.

• Experience with analytical methods such as Total Organic Carbon (TOC), protein assays, gel electrophoresis, and spectroscopic techniques.
• Background in characterization and validation of processes for biological products.
• Good working knowledge of scientific principles, methodologies, and practices relevant to process development and cleaning characterization.
• Familiarity with laboratory methods including handling and dispensing chemicals, preparing buffers, and operating pH and conductivity meters.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams.
• Ability to write clear technical papers, reports, and procedures for internal and external audiences.
• Interest in biotechnology and therapeutic development, particularly in areas of high unmet medical need.
• Alignment with a mission-driven environment focused on improving health outcomes and patients’ lives through innovative human therapeutics.

This role is based 100% onsite at a corporate headquarters in Thousand Oaks, CA, working in a laboratory environment that supports process development for biological manufacturing. The schedule typically follows a Monday–Friday workweek, with standard daytime hours around 8:00 AM to late afternoon or early evening. The environment emphasizes good laboratory practices, safe handling of chemicals, and careful operation of common lab equipment such as pH and conductivity meters and analytical instruments used for TOC, protein assays, electrophoresis, and spectroscopic methods. Work is highly collaborative, involving close interaction with Quality, Engineering, and Process Development teams, as well as participation in investigations and plant inspections. The broader organizational culture focuses on unlocking the potential of biology to address serious illnesses, leveraging advanced human genetics and scientific innovation to develop and deliver human therapeutics. The setting is mission-driven, research-oriented, and offers exposure to cutting-edge biotechnology and a pipeline of medicines with strong potential to impact patients worldwide.

This is a Contract position based out of Thousand Oaks, CA.

The pay range for this position is $27.00 - $27.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Thousand Oaks,CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 14, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.