Upstream Manufacturing Scientist

The Upstream Manufacturing Scientist at our company is responsible for executing mammalian cell culture processes to produce recombinant proteins for biologics, operating bioreactors, and enhancing manufacturing techniques. You will manage cell culture batches up to 2000L, collaborate with associates and engineers, and ensure compliance with cGMP regulations by reviewing batch records.

To qualify for the Upstream Manufacturing Scientist position at our company, candidates should have at least 1-2 years of experience in cell culture and bioreactor operations, familiarity with GMP and aseptic manufacturing processes, and proficiency with single-use manufacturing consumables. This background will enable you to excel in our innovative biomanufacturing environment.

New Upstream Manufacturing Scientists at our company will undergo a comprehensive training process that includes mentorship from experienced team members, exposure to our biomanufacturing processes, and hands-on experience in our state-of-the-art facility. This training ensures that you are well-prepared to execute your responsibilities effectively.

As an Upstream Manufacturing Scientist at our company, you will work with a variety of bioreactors designed for large-scale cell culture. This includes both traditional and single-use technologies, allowing you to optimize and innovate our processes to increase efficiency and output.

Our company is committed to fostering growth and development for our Upstream Manufacturing Scientists. With our expansion plans and ongoing training programs, you will have opportunities for career advancement, including positions in leadership, project management, or specialized scientific roles as you gain experience and expertise.

In your response, highlight specific experiences where you executed mammalian cell culture processes, the types of cell lines you’ve worked with, and any challenges you faced and overcame. Discuss your familiarity with standard operating procedures and any innovations you contributed to enhancing efficiencies.

Explain the importance of cGMP compliance in biomanufacturing and outline the processes you follow to ensure adherence, such as meticulous documentation, following established protocols, and regular reviews of batch records to maintain safety and quality standards.

Share a specific example where you faced a problem with a bioreactor, detailing how you identified the root cause and the steps you took to resolve it. Highlight your analytical skills, teamwork, and communication throughout the troubleshooting process.

Discuss your time management strategies, such as using tools to track progress, setting clear deadlines, and communicating with team members about priorities. Emphasize your ability to adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining focus on quality.

Talk about your hands-on experience with single-use manufacturing consumables and how you used them in previous roles. Highlight benefits you’ve observed in efficiency, flexibility, and contamination risk reduction that these technologies provide.

Illustrate your conflict resolution skills by providing an example of a past situation where you addressed a disagreement. Focus on how you facilitated communication and collaboration to reach a mutually acceptable solution while maintaining project goals.

Explain the key performance indicators you monitor in bioprocessing, such as yield, viability, and productivity metrics. Discuss how you track these metrics and utilize them for continuous process improvement and scalability.

Share details of a particular scale-up project where you played a critical role, detailing your contributions, the outcomes, and any lessons learned that were applicable as you transitioned from pilot to full-scale production.

Discuss your commitment to continuous learning, such as attending industry conferences, participating in webinars, following relevant publications, and networking with peers. Highlight how this knowledge helps enhance your contributions in the Upstream Manufacturing Scientist role.

Reflect on a specific instance where you encountered a challenge in adhering to GMP practices. Describe the situation, your thought process, and the steps you implemented to resolve it, ensuring that you maintained compliance and safety throughout.