ApTask · 2 months ago
Scientist Senior Associate
Thousand Oaks, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$49.53/hr - $49.53/hr
2+ years expApTask is a leading global provider of workforce solutions and talent acquisition services. The Scientist Senior Associate will join the GCR — Process Excellence team to lead laboratory execution and process development, ensuring high-quality critical reagents for clinical and commercial product testing.
Human ResourcesInformation TechnologySmall and Medium BusinessesStaffing Agency
Responsibilities
Create and characterize adherent and suspension assay cell lines and develop high-quality assay-ready (ready-to-plate) cell banks for cell-based potency assay methods in Process Development (PD) and Quality Control (QC), with a primary focus on adherent mammalian cell lines
Support mammalian cell culture work end-to-end for assay cell bank generation (planning, media preparation, expansion, harvest, cryopreservation, and documentation)
Operate and use WAVETM 25 Rocker and Corning® HYPERStack® vessels for scale-up culture and banking activities with primary focus on closed-system multi-layer vessels (HYPERStack®) for adherent cell lines
Lead process development and automation projects that increase throughput, reduce variability, and strengthen data integrity for assay cell bank and reagent workflows
Evaluate, pilot and integrate laboratory automation (e.g., liquid handlers, tube handlers, etc.); develop vendor assessments and implementation plans
Author, revise and own SOPs and protocols to enable robust processes and successful transfer to operations
Manage and improve digital inventory workflows; integrate process data to support forecasting and replenishment triggers
Perform and support advanced reagent work: antibody/protein purification and conjugation
Translate research and experimental results into concise technical recommendations and present to cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders
Mentor and provide technical guidance to staff; act as a subject matter expert for GCR operations
Perform inventory management tasks, global shipping, reagent sub-aliquoting, and documentation in accordance with applicable SOPs
Operate lab and automation equipment, including centrifuges, HPLC systems, incubators, freezers, LN2 dewars, vial fillers, labelers, and cappers
Handle daily tasks and team support while managing projects in a fast-paced setting
Ensure compliance with safety, quality and data integrity expectations
As a senior contributor on GCR-PEX you must deliver both technical excellence and strong collaborative leadership:
Patient-first & integrity: Make decisions that prioritize data integrity, compliance and patient safety. Ensure uninterrupted supply of consistent high-quality critical reagents
End-to-end ownership: Lead projects through definition, pilot, validation, SOP documentation and handoff; deliver measurable outcomes
Practical innovation: Suggest actionable, testable improvements while ensuring they meet high standards and can scale effectively
Clear, influential communication: Present technical findings and business cases to technical colleagues and senior leaders; write clear SOPs and technical summaries
Mentorship & teamwork: Share expertise, coach junior colleagues, and build cross-functional alignment
Digital fluency: Use electronic documentation and analytics tools; clearly communicate data and trends
Time & risk management: Prioritize work effectively, meet deadlines, and escalate risks with proposed mitigations
Qualification
Required
Master's degree (cell biology, molecular biology, biotechnology, biochemistry or similar) and ≥ 2 years industry experience in cell culture/process development/reagent generation; OR Bachelor's degree and ≥ 4 years relevant industry experience demonstrating increasing responsibility
Strong hands-on expertise in mammalian cell culture with a primary focus on adherent cell lines; experience with suspension as needed; creation/characterization of cell banks
Strong aseptic technique and experience working in a sterile environment (BSL-2 biosafety cabinets), including routine contamination control
Demonstrated experience leading process improvement and laboratory automation projects from pilot through implementation/transfer
Proficiency with digital lab documentation and data tools (ELN, advanced Excel; data visualization tools such as Spotfire, Tableau)
Proven ability to communicate technical information clearly to peers and senior stakeholders (SOPs, technical summaries, presentations)
Strong mentorship and ability to work effectively in a team and cross-functional environment
Detail-oriented self-starter: independently deliver lab/process-improvement projects; prioritize effectively, meet deadlines, communicate risks with mitigations, and maintain accurate documentation
Ability to work full-time onsite at the *** Thousand Oaks campus
Preferred
Upstream cell culture processing and cell bank manufacturing experience (preferably assay cell banks with a primary focus on adherent mammalian cell lines; suspension as needed)
Experience working in a GxP-regulated environment
Hands-on experience with reagent development, including antibody/protein purification and conjugation techniques
Practical experience with laboratory automation hardware and software, and knowledge of automation validation/transfer practices
Experience with digital inventory systems and familiarity with SharePoint and Smartsheet
Demonstrated competence with data visualization/analytics tools to analyze and present data (e.g., Spotfire, Tableau, Power BI)
Prior experience authoring SOPs and supporting Quality in regulated environments
Experience mentoring staff and leading technical teams or multi-disciplinary project efforts
Practical use of AI tools, including GenAI
Benefits
Subsidized insurance coverage
Company
ApTask
ApTask is a staffing and recruiting company offering staffing, project, and workforce solutions.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Taj Haslani
Founder
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