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Cell Culture Process Development Jobs in California

PBS Biotech Inc

Senior Scientist

Moorpark, CA · On-site

$131K - $168K/yr

Design, execute, and oversee experiments for cell culture process development, optimization, characterization, and scale-up. * Serve as a technical subject matter expert for cell culture processes ...

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Cell Culture Process Development information

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$18

$33

$48

How much do cell culture process development jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for cell culture process development in California is $33.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.26 and $40.82 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Cell Culture Process Development vs Cell Culture Manufacturing Associate?

AspectCell Culture Process DevelopmentCell Culture Manufacturing Associate
Primary FocusDesigning and optimizing cell culture processes for product developmentExecuting established cell culture procedures for production
Skills & CredentialsScientific expertise, process development experience, often a degree in biotech or related fieldTechnical skills in manufacturing, GMP compliance, relevant certifications
Work EnvironmentLaboratory and R&D settingsManufacturing floors and production facilities
Industry UsageBiotech, pharmaceutical R&DBiotech, pharmaceutical manufacturing

Cell Culture Process Development professionals focus on creating and refining cell culture methods to ensure scalable, efficient processes. In contrast, Cell Culture Manufacturing Associates execute these processes in production settings to manufacture products at scale. Both roles require related skills and work within the biotech and pharmaceutical industries, but their responsibilities differ from development to manufacturing execution.

What is cell culture process development?

Cell culture process development is the optimization and scaling of laboratory techniques used to grow cells under controlled conditions, typically for the production of biological products like vaccines, antibodies, or therapeutic proteins. This field involves designing and refining protocols for cell line selection, media formulation, bioreactor operation, and quality control. The goal is to achieve high yields, consistency, and product quality while meeting regulatory standards. Professionals in this area work closely with research scientists, engineers, and quality assurance teams to transition processes from the lab bench to large-scale manufacturing.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in cell culture process development, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in cell culture process development often encounter challenges such as maintaining consistent cell growth, scaling processes from laboratory to production scale, and ensuring contamination-free environments. Addressing these issues requires strong attention to detail, rigorous adherence to standard operating procedures, and proactive troubleshooting skills. Effective collaboration with cross-functional teams, such as quality assurance and analytical development, is also essential to optimize processes and resolve technical issues swiftly. Continuous learning and adaptation to new technologies can further help in overcoming these challenges and advancing in the field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in cell culture process development?

To thrive in Cell Culture Process Development, you typically need a background in biology, biotechnology, or chemical engineering, with hands-on experience in aseptic techniques and cell culture methodologies. Familiarity with bioreactors, cell counting equipment, and statistical analysis software, as well as certifications such as cGMP training, are highly valuable. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork help professionals excel in optimizing and troubleshooting cell culture processes. These competencies are crucial to ensure high-yield, consistent, and safe production of biologics or therapeutic compounds.
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Cell Culture Process Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cell Culture Process Development job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 67% In-person, and 33% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $69,143 per year, or $33.2 per hour.

Senior Scientist

PBS Biotech Inc

Moorpark, CA • On-site

$131K - $168K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

Position Title: Senior Scientist, Bioprocess R&D (full-time)

Company Overview:

PBS Biotech, Inc. is a private company based in Camarillo, CA, that manufactures and sells revolutionary single-use bioreactors that are ideal for scale up of cell and gene therapy manufacturing. With a fully equipped in-house laboratory, we also provide world-class contract services for manufacturing process development with leading expertise in various cell and gene therapy product types.


Job Description:

PBS Biotech is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Scientist, Bioprocess R&D, to join our growing bioprocess development team. This role will serve as a scientific leader responsible for designing and executing complex research programs, supporting customer projects, advancing internal product development initiatives, and contributing to the company's scientific reputation through publications and conference presentations.


The successful candidate will provide technical leadership, mentor junior team members, and collaborate cross-functionally to develop innovative cell culture processes and manufacturing solutions utilizing PBS bioreactor technologies.


This position is an invaluable opportunity to gain experience working with cutting edge technology and a variety of cell types that are significant to the rapidly emerging cell and gene therapy market.


Responsibilities and Tasks:

  • Lead and provide scientific direction for the development, optimization, and scale-up of various cell culture processes supporting customer programs and internal product initiatives.
  • Design, execute, and oversee experiments for cell culture process development, optimization, characterization, and scale-up.
  • Serve as a technical subject matter expert for cell culture processes, bioreactor operations, and cell therapy manufacturing technologies.
  • Conduct root-cause analyses for unexpected results and develop innovative approaches to improve cell culture process performance and product quality.
  • Characterize critical quality attributes of cells throughout cell culture process development, either independently or in collaboration with customers, partners, or external service providers.
  • Support internal product improvement efforts by generating biological performance data and evaluating the impact of PBS technologies on cell culture processes.
  • Prepare scientific data and author peer-reviewed publications, white papers, conference abstracts, technical reports, and presentations.
  • Present scientific findings and recommendations to customers, collaborators, and internal stakeholders.
  • Mentor junior scientists and research associates in experimental design, data analysis, and cell culture process development.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Product Management, Applications, Manufacturing, Quality, and Commercial teams to advance cell culture process development initiatives.
  • Support technology transfer and scale-up activities for cell culture processes into process development and manufacturing environments.

Qualifications/ Skills/ Requirements:

  • PhD in Chemical Engineering or Biotechnology with a focus on bioprocessing, or thesis-based MSc in Chemical Engineering or Biotechnology with 7-10 years cell culture lab experience
  • Extensive hands-on experience with cell therapy process development, including pluripotent stem cells (PSC/iPSC), T cells, NK cells, or other advanced cell therapy platforms.
  • Ability to design experiments independently using logical and systematic approaches
  • Advanced knowledge of bioreactors, cell characterization techniques, including flow cytometry, cell counting, metabolic analysis, viability assessment, and functional assays.
  • Excellent project management and organizational skills to develop detailed experimental plans
  • Strong oral and written communication skills including generation of accurate and timely progress reports for internal and external purposes
  • Experience completing peer-reviewed journal publications and abstract generation and presentation at conferences
  • Experience with tech transfer of R&D processes to PD or cGMP manufacturing is a plus
  • Demonstrated ability to independently lead scientific projects from concept through completion.
  • Experience mentoring scientists, research associates, interns, or cross-functional project teams.
  • Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative, and customer-focused environment.
  • Proximity to Ventura County and flexible schedule to allow for weekend work on experiments as needed