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Cell Culture Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Actalent

CELL CULTURE & QC ASSOCIATE

Newbury Park, CA

$25 - $35/hr

Cell Culture & QC Associate The Cell Culture & QC Associate supports a critical technology transfer and biomass scale-up project by performing hands-on mammalian cell culture and microbiological ...

BioTalent

Manufacturing Associate Upstream

Tustin, CA · On-site

You will operate and maintain cell culture bioreactors (Wave and 100L-2000L disposable STR/SUB ... Associate or Bachelor's degree, preferably in biology or chemistry Compensation & Benefits ...

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Cell Culture Associate information

What is a cell culture associate?

A Cell Culture Associate is a laboratory professional responsible for growing and maintaining cells under controlled conditions, typically for research, pharmaceutical, or biotechnological purposes. They prepare culture media, monitor cell health, perform aseptic techniques, and document results. This role is essential for supporting scientific experiments and producing biological products such as vaccines or therapeutic proteins. Cell Culture Associates work closely with scientists to ensure cell lines are healthy and experiments run smoothly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a cell culture associate?

To thrive as a Cell Culture Associate, you need a solid background in biology or a related field, with hands-on experience in aseptic technique and mammalian cell culture. Familiarity with laboratory equipment such as biosafety cabinets, incubators, and analytical tools like microscopes and cell counters is typically required. Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and effective teamwork help ensure accuracy and maintain high-quality results. These skills are critical for producing reliable cultures, supporting research or production goals, and maintaining a safe and compliant laboratory environment.

What are some of the common challenges cell culture associates face in maintaining cell line integrity?

Cell Culture Associates often encounter challenges such as contamination, genetic drift, and inconsistent cell growth, all of which can compromise cell line integrity. Strict adherence to aseptic techniques and routine monitoring of cultures are essential to prevent contamination from bacteria, fungi, or cross-contamination between cell lines. Additionally, maintaining detailed records and following standardized protocols help ensure reproducibility and reliability of experimental results. Collaboration with team members and open communication are also vital for quickly identifying and addressing any issues that may arise.

What is the difference between Cell Culture Associate vs Laboratory Technician?

AspectCell Culture AssociateLaboratory Technician
Required CredentialsAssociate degree or higher in biology, microbiology, or related fieldAssociate degree or equivalent in science or laboratory technology
Work EnvironmentBiotech or pharmaceutical labs focused on cell culture and biological researchVaried labs including clinical, research, or industrial settings
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily biotech, pharma, and research institutionsBroadly used across healthcare, research, and industrial labs
Common Search & Comparison IntentYesYes

The Cell Culture Associate and Laboratory Technician roles often share similar educational backgrounds and work environments, especially in biotech and research labs. While both positions require technical skills and laboratory experience, the Cell Culture Associate specializes more in cell culture techniques, whereas Laboratory Technicians may handle a wider range of laboratory tasks. Understanding these differences helps job seekers identify the best fit for their skills and career goals.

What cities in California are hiring for Cell Culture Associate jobs?

Cities in California with the most Cell Culture Associate job openings:

Cell Culture Associate jobs near you

Associate Scientist, Cell Culture

Element Biosciences

San Diego, CA • On-site

$79K - $96K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

At Element Biosciences, we are passionate about our mission to empower the scientific community with more freedom and flexibility to accelerate our collective impact on humanity. We have built a highly efficient product-driven organization where employees can learn, grow, and thrive in a challenging but encouraging environment. We are committed to scientific integrity, collegiality, honesty, objectivity, and openness.
We are seeking an Associate Scientist, Cell Culture to support our research and development efforts in a BSL2 laboratory. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual with a strong interest in mammalian cell culture to gain hands-on experience in a dynamic lab environment. The associate scientist will be responsible for culturing, maintaining, and preparing cells for downstream applications. This role is San Diego-based and offers a great opportunity to develop expertise in cell culture techniques within a supportive research setting.
If you are eager to gain hands-on experience in cell culture and contribute to impactful research, we encourage you to apply!
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
  • Independently perform and optimize mammalian cell culture workflows, including maintenance, passaging, cryopreservation, and harvesting across multiple cell lines
  • Design and execute experiments to prepare cells for downstream assays, adapting established protocols as needed and troubleshooting deviations
  • Monitor and evaluate cell growth, viability, and health using microscopy and analytical techniques; interpret results and flag anomalies proactively
  • Analyze and summarize experimental data, and communicate findings to the team through reports and presentations
  • Maintain rigorous laboratory records, including culture logs and experimental data, ensuring reproducibility and traceability
  • Contribute to the development and refinement of SOPs and best practices for cell culture operations
  • Ensure proper handling and disposal of biological materials in accordance with BSL2 safety guidelines
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D scientists to align culture outputs with project timelines and requirements
  • Assist with general lab operations, including inventory management, equipment maintenance, and mentoring junior lab staff as needed

Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree in Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field; Master's degree a plus
  • 2+ years of hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture techniques in an academic or industry research setting
  • Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot experimental issues and exercise independent judgment with minimal supervision
  • Strong analytical and data interpretation skills
  • Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple concurrent projects
  • Experience working in a BSL2 lab required
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills; experience presenting data to a team is a plus

Physical Requirements:
  • Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time
  • Frequently moves boxes weighing up to 20 pounds

Location:
  • San Diego - on-site

Travel:
  • N/A

Job Type:
  • Full-time/Non-Exempt

Base Compensation Pay Range:
  • $79,000 - $96,000

In addition to base compensation noted above, you will be eligible for stock options, discretionary annual bonus, no cost health insurance plans, 401k with company match, and flexible paid time off.
Please note: Base compensation will depend on multiple factors, including geographic location, qualifications, and experience.
We foster an environment such that all people are afforded the freedom to pursue their passions without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristics protected by law.

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