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Cell Line Development Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

... development for direct report employees. Daily duties include : * Day to day management of Fremont Bioassay and cell line manufacturing team, data analysis and supporting QA/QC where required ...

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Cell Line Development information

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How much do cell line development jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for cell line development in California is $20.44, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.07 and $21.59 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do cell biologists earn?

Cell biologists typically earn a median annual salary ranging from $50,000 to $90,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Salaries can increase with advanced skills, certifications, and work in biotech or pharmaceutical industries.

What is the highest paid type of scientist?

In the field of cell line development, senior scientists such as Principal Scientists or Directors typically earn the highest salaries, often exceeding $150,000 annually. These roles require extensive experience, advanced skills in bioprocessing and molecular biology, and often involve leadership responsibilities in biotech or pharmaceutical companies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Cell Line Development position, and why are they important?

To excel in Cell Line Development, a strong background in cell biology, molecular biology, and genetics is essential, often supported by a degree in a life science field. Experience with laboratory techniques such as cell culture, transfection, CRISPR gene editing, and using bioreactors or automated cell screening systems is highly valued. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and effective teamwork are important soft skills for success. These qualifications are crucial to consistently generate, characterize, and optimize stable cell lines for research or bioproduction purposes.

How much does a cell scientist make?

The average salary for a cell scientist or cell line development scientist typically ranges from $70,000 to $120,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and location. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced professionals with specialized skills or advanced degrees can earn higher salaries, especially in biotech or pharmaceutical industries.

What is a Cell Line Development job?

A Cell Line Development job involves creating and optimizing stable cell lines used in biopharmaceutical production, research, and drug development. Professionals in this role engineer cells to express desired proteins, ensuring high yield and stability for large-scale manufacturing. Responsibilities include transfection, selection, characterization, and process optimization. This work is critical for producing therapeutic proteins, monoclonal antibodies, and vaccines.

What does cell line development do?

Cell line development involves creating and optimizing cell lines used to produce biological products such as proteins or antibodies. It includes selecting, modifying, and maintaining cells in a laboratory setting, often using techniques like genetic engineering and cell culture to ensure consistent and high-yield production for research or manufacturing. This process is essential in biopharmaceutical development and requires skills in molecular biology and cell culture techniques.

What are typical day-to-day responsibilities for someone working in Cell Line Development?

Professionals in Cell Line Development typically spend their days culturing and maintaining mammalian or microbial cells, performing genetic modifications, and screening for desirable cell traits. They regularly design and execute experiments, analyze data, and meticulously document results to ensure reproducibility and regulatory compliance. Collaboration with upstream/downstream process teams, quality control, and research scientists is common, as is troubleshooting challenges such as cell viability or genetic stability. This role is hands-on and dynamic, offering a balance of bench work and data analysis throughout the week.

What are the most commonly searched types of Cell Line Development jobs in California? The most popular types of Cell Line Development jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Cell Line Development jobs? Cities in California with the most Cell Line Development job openings:
Infographic showing various Cell Line Development job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 86% Full Time, and 13% Part Time. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,507 per year, or $20.4 per hour.
Senior Research Associate, Process Development

Senior Research Associate, Process Development

UPSIDE Foods

Emeryville, CA

$85K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

About us:

Based in Berkeley, CA, UPSIDE Foods grows meat, poultry, and seafood directly from real animal cells. These products are not vegan or vegetarian—they are delicious meat, made without the need to raise and slaughter billions of animals. In doing so, the company aims to address some of the most pressing environmental, animal welfare, and public health challenges, while still giving people the meat they love.

Founded as the world's first cultivated meat company in 2015, UPSIDE Foods (formerly Memphis Meats) has achieved numerous industry-defining milestones, including being the first company to produce multiple species of meat (beef, chicken, and duck) and to sell a cultivated meat product in the United States. The company believes that people shouldn't have to choose between the foods they love and a thriving planet, and is working to build a better food system with access to delicious, humane, and sustainable meat, poultry, and seafood.

UPSIDE Foods has won various industry awards, including New York Times' Good Tech Awards, FastCo's Next Big Thing in Tech and World Changing Ideas Awards, and the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation by the National Association for Business Resources. UPSIDE Foods has raised more than $600 million in funding from a diverse group of leading U.S. and global investors, including top-tier venture capital firms, sovereign investment funds, strategic food and agriculture partners, and prominent technology and sustainability investors.

About this job:

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Research Associate to support bioprocess development for cell culture process characterization and optimization. This role will focus on executing experiments in bench-scale bioreactors and supporting the development and implementation of automation for lab workflows, as well as contributing to downstream process development, including cell separation and concentration. This is a hands-on role requiring independent experimental execution, troubleshooting, and data analysis. The successful candidate will interpret results, recommend next steps, and clearly communicate findings to cross-functional teams. The Senior Research Associate will also lead discrete technical projects or workstreams within PD/MSAT, contributing to process scale-up and manufacturing-relevant outcomes in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Responsibilities include:

  • Lead discrete technical projects or workstreams within PD/MSAT, including planning experiments, coordinating with stakeholders, and driving timely execution.
  • Execute suspension cell culture experiments in bench-scale bioreactors to support upstream process development and data generation.
  • Perform routine cell culture assays and support process optimization and robustness studies.
  • Design and execute experiments, applying statistical analysis and data visualization tools to interpret results.
  • Analyze data and generate clear, high-quality technical documentation and reports.
  • Present experimental findings and recommendations in team and cross-functional meetings.
  • Partner with Cell Line, Media Development, PD/MSAT, Manufacturing, and Engineering teams to support cross-functional data generation and process understanding.

About you:

  • B.S. in a relevant scientific or technical discipline with 4+ years, or M.S. with 2+ years of industry experience.
  • Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture processes is required; experience with suspension cell culture in controlled bioreactor systems is strongly preferred.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in experimental design, statistical analysis (e.g., JMP), and data visualization or reporting tools (e.g., Tableau or equivalent).
  • Strong background in experimental data analysis, interpretation, and technical documentation.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present and discuss experimental results clearly and effectively.
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced and cross-functional environment.

Who you'll work with:

  • This role sits within the Process Development (PD) team and collaborates closely with Cell Line Development, Media Development, MSAT, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Food R&D to understand how process parameters impact both process performance and final product quality.

Compensation Range: $85,000 - $100,000*

*Pay may vary depending on factors including job-related knowledge and skills.

UPSIDE Benefits!

  • Stock options for all full-time incoming team members!
  • 83-100% employer-paid healthcare premiums for team members (medical [including HSA and FSA], dental, and vision)
  • Pet insurance for your furry family members!
  • Unlimited PTO
  • Company-sponsored learning & development opportunities

UPSIDE Foods is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Our company-wide mission is to create a product for everyone, so we are deeply committed to having teams and leaders that reflect this mission.