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Cell Line Development Scientist Jobs in California

Technical Project Manager

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$140K - $175K/yr

... scientific projects to manage critical customer programs in Prolific's pipeline. As Prolific has ... Full cell line development and preclinical scale up of customer molecules integrated into our ...

Technical Project Manager

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$140K - $175K/yr

... scientific projects to manage critical customer programs in Prolific's pipeline. As Prolific has ... Full cell line development and preclinical scale up of customer molecules integrated into our ...

Showing results 21-40

Cell Line Development Scientist information

See California salary details

$20

$38

$60

How much do cell line development scientist jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for cell line development scientist in California is $38.16, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.98 and $45.53 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a cell line development scientist do?

A Cell Line Development Scientist is responsible for creating and optimizing cell lines used in the production of biopharmaceuticals, such as therapeutic proteins and monoclonal antibodies. Their work involves selecting, engineering, and characterizing cell lines to ensure high productivity, stability, and quality of the desired product. They use advanced techniques in molecular biology, cell culture, and genetic engineering to achieve these goals. Additionally, they document and analyze data, comply with regulatory standards, and collaborate with other departments to support drug development processes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a cell line development scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cell Line Development Scientist, you need expertise in molecular and cell biology, mammalian cell culture, and a relevant life sciences degree (often a PhD or MSc). Experience with cloning, gene editing tools (like CRISPR), bioreactors, and data analysis software such as FlowJo or JMP is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies are crucial for developing high-quality cell lines efficiently, ensuring robust research outcomes and supporting biopharmaceutical production.

What are some common challenges faced by cell line development scientists during the cell line selection process?

Cell Line Development Scientists often encounter challenges such as ensuring high productivity and stability of the selected cell line, dealing with genetic drift over multiple passages, and minimizing variability in protein expression. Achieving regulatory compliance and thorough documentation is also critical, as processes must be traceable and reproducible. Collaboration with upstream and downstream process teams is essential to address issues early and optimize cell lines for large-scale manufacturing requirements.

What is the difference between Cell Line Development Scientist vs Research Associate in Biotech?

AspectCell Line Development ScientistResearch Associate in Biotech
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in Life Sciences, PhD often preferredBachelor's or Master's in related field
Work EnvironmentLaboratories focused on cell line creation and optimizationGeneral biotech or research labs, supporting various projects
Employer & Industry UsageBiotech and pharmaceutical companies, research institutionsBiotech firms, research organizations, academic labs
Common Search & ComparisonCell Line Development Scientist vs Research Associate in Biotech

The main difference is that a Cell Line Development Scientist specializes in creating and optimizing cell lines for production, requiring more advanced skills and experience. In contrast, a Research Associate in Biotech typically supports broader research activities with less focus on cell line development. Both roles are essential in biotech research but differ in scope and expertise.

What cities in California are hiring for Cell Line Development Scientist jobs?

Cities in California with the most Cell Line Development Scientist job openings:

Infographic showing various Cell Line Development Scientist job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 3% Temporary. Highlights an 94% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,367 per year, or $38.2 per hour.

Technical Development Senior Associate Scientist

South San Francisco, CA • On-site

Genentech
Scientific Research and Development Services • 10K+ employees

Other

Posted 12 days ago


Genentech rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 23 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

The Position

Technical Development Senior Associate Scientist
Department Summary
We are seeking a creative, enthusiastic, and highly motivated researcher to develop cell lines expressing antibodies or other therapeutic molecules and improve cell line development processes. The successful candidate will learn stable CHO cell line development (CLD) for clinical and commercial manufacturing using Genentech’s industry-leading targeted integration (TI) expression technology. The candidate will be responsible for CLD, improving targeted integration efficiency, and help with streamlining and improving TI CLD platform processes. Familiarity with cell culture and stable cell line generation is preferred. A strong background in cell and molecular biology is required.

The Opportunity
This is an ideal position for a researcher who is enthusiastic about research, innovation, and gaining drug development experience. As such the position requires excellent communication skills and the desire to learn about and integrate multiple aspects of drug development. The selected individual is expected to work independently with minimal supervision to design and execute different experiments in parallel.

This position is based in South San Francisco, on site.

Who You Are

Required Education
The candidate should have a B.S. or M.S. with 2+ years of experience in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry or other related disciplines

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

The ideal candidate will possess expertise in

  • Molecular and cell biology including DNA and cell manipulation.
  • Gene copy number analysis.
  • Familiarity with automation.

The candidate must be skilled in communication and presentation and should be able to clearly convey complex ideas and data both verbally and written. Expectations for this position include a strong work ethic, ability to work well with others and robust problem-solving skills.

Relocation benefits are not available for this job posting.

The expected salary range for this position based on California is 92 600,00 - 172 000,00 USD Annual. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance. This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.

Benefits

Genentech is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws.

If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the online application process, please contact us by completing this form Accommodations for Applicants.

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About Genentech

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

A member of the Roche Group, Genentech has been at the forefront of the biotechnology industry for more than 40 years, using human genetic information to develop novel medicines for serious and life-threatening diseases. Genentech has multiple therapies on the market for cancer & other serious illnesses. Please take this opportunity to learn about Genentech where we believe that our employees are our most important asset & are dedicated to remaining a great place to work.

Industry

Scientific research and development services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

South San Francisco, CA, US

Year founded

1976

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