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Job Title: Cell Culture & QC Associate

Job Description

The Cell Culture & QC Associate supports a critical technology transfer and biomass scale-up project by performing hands-on mammalian cell culture and microbiological quality control testing. This role focuses on maintaining healthy cell cultures, executing aseptic techniques, and accurately documenting quality control data for large-scale cell cultivation processes. The position offers the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge science in the next generation of sustainable food production within a biotech manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Thaw, maintain, and expand mammalian cell cultures to support ongoing experiments and production activities.
• Perform routine passaging and 2D cell culture operations to ensure consistent cell growth and viability.
• Conduct cell counting and viability assessments to monitor culture health and support process decisions.
• Prepare media, reagents, and laboratory consumables in accordance with established protocols.
• Maintain strict aseptic technique and support clean laboratory operations to prevent contamination.
• Accurately document experimental results, quality control (QC) data, and batch records in compliance with documentation standards.
• Support biomass scale-up and technology transfer activities by executing cell culture and QC tasks as processes move from development to larger-scale operations.
• Perform microbiological quality testing, including Aerobic Plate Count (APC), total aerobic count testing, yeast and mold testing, plating, incubation, and colony counting.
• Assist with sample collection, labeling, and inventory management to ensure traceability and proper storage.
• Work independently while collaborating effectively with scientists and manufacturing personnel to meet project timelines and objectives.
• Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs), good manufacturing practice (GMP) and good documentation practice (GDP) principles, and laboratory safety guidelines at all times.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Microbiology, Cell Biology, Biotechnology, Food Science, Biochemistry, or a related scientific field.
• At least 2 years of hands-on mammalian cell culture experience.
• Proficiency in cell thawing, including revival and recovery of frozen cell stocks.
• Experience with cell expansion and passaging in 2D culture formats.
• Strong skills in cell counting and viability analysis using appropriate analytical methods.
• Demonstrated ability to perform media preparation for mammalian cell culture.
• Proficient aseptic technique to maintain sterile conditions during all cell culture operations.
• Experience with microbiological plating and colony counting techniques.
• Strong documentation and record-keeping skills, including QC documentation and batch record maintenance.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while meeting quality and productivity expectations.
• Working knowledge of quality control testing principles in a laboratory environment.
• Familiarity with SOP-driven workflows and adherence to laboratory safety practices.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience supporting scale-up, process development, technology transfer, or bioprocessing activities.
• Background in biotechnology, biopharmaceutical manufacturing, or QC laboratory environments.
• Familiarity with GMP, GLP, HACCP, or food safety practices and their application in laboratory or production settings.
• Experience working in food, biotech, or biopharma laboratories performing microbiological testing such as APC, total aerobic count, yeast and mold testing, plating, incubation, and colony counting.
• Exposure to biomass scale-up projects and large-scale cell cultivation processes.
• Strong analytical mindset with attention to detail in both laboratory work and documentation.
• Immediate availability to begin contributing to ongoing technology transfer and scale-up activities is preferred.

Work Environment

The role is based in a biotech manufacturing environment that utilizes large stainless steel bioreactors for large-scale cell cultivation. You will work in a laboratory and production setting that emphasizes aseptic technique, clean operations, and adherence to GMP, GLP, HACCP, and food safety practices. The environment involves regular interaction with scientists and manufacturing personnel and requires consistent use of laboratory equipment for cell culture, microbiological testing, and quality control. The culture emphasizes safety, collaboration, and precision while supporting innovative, sustainable food production technologies.

This is a Contract position based out of Newbury Park, CA.

The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $35.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Newbury Park,CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 10, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.