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Senior Scientist Downstream Process Development Jobs

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Senior Scientist, Process Development

Watertown, MA

$99.50K - $135.90K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Scientist, Process Development, responsible for executing cell culture experiments, downstream processing, analyzing data, and contributing to process development projects.

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How much do senior scientist downstream process development jobs pay per year?

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior scientist downstream process development in the United States is $110,545.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $91,500.00 and $125,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Scientist in Downstream Process Development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Scientist in Downstream Process Development, you need advanced knowledge in bioprocess engineering, protein purification, and process scale-up, typically supported by a Ph.D. or Master’s degree in a relevant field. Expertise with chromatography systems (such as AKTA), analytical instrumentation, and familiarity with regulatory requirements like GMP are essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, leadership, and effective communication skills distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies are crucial for developing robust, scalable processes that meet quality standards and drive successful product development.

What are some common challenges faced by Senior Scientists in Downstream Process Development, and how can they be addressed?

Senior Scientists in Downstream Process Development often encounter challenges such as optimizing purification processes for novel biologics, scaling up from lab to production scale, and ensuring product consistency and regulatory compliance. Addressing these challenges typically involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams, continuous process optimization, and staying current with industry advancements in chromatography and filtration technologies. Proactive problem-solving, effective communication, and leveraging data analytics are also key strategies for overcoming obstacles in this role.

What does a Senior Scientist in Downstream Process Development do?

A Senior Scientist in Downstream Process Development focuses on developing, optimizing, and scaling up processes to purify biological products such as proteins or antibodies after cell culture (the 'downstream' part of biomanufacturing). They design experiments, analyze data, and work with cross-functional teams to ensure product quality and regulatory compliance. Their role is critical in moving biopharmaceutical products from research to commercial production by ensuring efficient and robust purification processes.
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Senior Scientist Downstream Process Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Scientist Downstream Process Development job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 13% Physical, and 87% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,545 per year, or $53.1 per hour.
Senior Scientist - Downstream Process Development, mRNA

Senior Scientist - Downstream Process Development, mRNA

Catalent Pharma Solutions

Madison, WI

$92.20K - $126K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago

Catalent rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 49 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

45th of 70 rated pharmaceutical

Job description

Senior Scientist - Downstream Process Development, mRNA

Position Summary:

  • Work Schedule: M-F 8am-5pm
  • 100% on-site

Catalent Biologics is a fast-growing business within Catalent Pharma Solutions focused on providing innovative technologies and solutions to help more and better biologic treatments get to patients. Leveraging our growing differentiated technology portfolio, world class manufacturing capability, and other integrated services across the Catalent network, Catalent Biologics is positioned to drive significant growth for Catalent.

Catalent Pharma Solutions in Madison, WI is hiring a Senior Scientist - Downstream Process Development, mRNA. The Process Development Senior Scientist, mRNA will lead and support the development, optimization, and process characterization of manufacturing processes for mRNA-based therapeutics and vaccines, spanning early-phase clinical through commercial programs. This role requires hands-on expertise in mRNA process development, including in vitro transcription (IVT), purification, and analytical characterization. The scientist will bring deep mRNA technical expertise and demonstrate continuous learning and adaptability, recognizing that supporting multiple modalities, including protein biologics, may be required to meet evolving client and business needs.

The Role:

  • Design andoptimizeIVT reactions, enzymatic processing, andpurificationworkflows

  • Develop scale-down models and execute DOE studies for process characterization andprocess development
  • Author process development reports, validation protocols, and risk assessments (FMEA, CPP identification)
  • Definea control strategy for mRNA DS (CPPs, CQAs, IPCs, acceptance criteria, sampling plans) and defending it through late phase / commercial readiness
  • Apply Quality by Design (QbD) principles and statistical tools for process characterization and PPQ readiness
  • Ensure compliance with FDA, EMA, and ICH guidelines for process validation and lifecycle management
  • Establish andmaintainSOPs for mRNA synthesisandpurification to ensure reproducibility and compliance
  • Collaborate with analytical teams for method development and validation of mRNA drugsubstance.Experience authoring or reviewing method validation/qualification strategy and understanding suitability for intended use (development vs GMP release)preferred
  • Ability to support downstream process development for monoclonal antibodies and other protein modalitiespreferred.
  • Participate in tech transfer activities to GMP manufacturing sites for both mRNA and protein programs.
  • Process scale chromatography and filtration (chromatography, tangential flow, normal flow) experience
  • Operating,maintaining, and troubleshooting chromatographyworkstationsand process skids preferably in an industrial setting
  • Process scale up and technology transfer
  • Knowledge and experience working in a cGMP environment
  • Good documentation practices (GDP)
  • Aseptic technique experience
  • Experience writing standard operating procedures, batch records, and reports
  • Experience mentoring junior staffregardinglaboratory procedures and scientific projects
  • Other duties as assigned.

The Candidate:

  • Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline and 8-15 years related experience, OR
  • Master's degree in a STEM discipline and 5-10 years related experience, OR
  • Doctorate Degree in a STEM discipline and 2-4 years related experience
  • Process scale chromatography and filtration (viral, chromatography, tangential flow,
    normal flow) experience
  • Operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting chromatography workstations and process
    skids preferably in an industrial setting
  • Viral clearance validation, process scale up, and technology transfer
  • Knowledge and experience working in a cGMP environment
  • Good documentation practices (GDP)
  • Aseptic technique experience
  • Experience writing standard operating procedures, batch records, and reports
  • Experience mentoring junior staff regarding laboratory procedures and scientific project

Why you should join Catalent:

  • Defined career path and annual performance review and feedback process
  • Diverse, inclusive culture
  • Positive working environment focusing on continually improving processes to remain innovative
  • Potential for career growth on an expanding team within an organization dedicated to preserving and bettering lives
  • 152 hours of PTO + 8 paid holidays
  • Generous 401K match
  • Medical, dental and vision benefits effective day one of employment
  • Tuition Reimbursement- Let us help you finish your degree or start a new degree!

Catalent offers rewarding opportunities to further your career! Join the global drug development and delivery leader and help us bring over 7,000 life-saving and life-enhancing products to patients around the world. Catalent is an exciting and growing international company where employees work directly with pharma, biopharma and consumer health companies of all sizes to advance new medicines from early development to clinical trials and to the market. Catalent produces more than 70 billion doses per year, and each one will be used by someone who is counting on us. Join us in making a difference.

personal initiative. dynamic pace. meaningful work.

Visit Catalent Careers to explore career opportunities.

Catalent is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and veterans.

If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, you may submit your request by sending an email, and confirming your request for an accommodation and include the job number, title and location to DisabilityAccommodations@catalent.com. This option is reserved for individuals who require accommodation due to a disability. Information received will be processed by a U.S. Catalent employee and then routed to a local recruiter who will provide assistance to ensure appropriate consideration in the application or hiring process.

Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives: Catalent Pharma Solutions (Catalent) is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies and/or search firms for this job posting. Resumes submitted to any Catalent employee by a third party agency and/or search firm without a valid written & signed search agreement, will become the sole property of Catalent. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired for this position as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral. Thank you.

Important Security Notice to U.S. Job Seekers:

Catalent NEVER asks candidates to provide any type of payment, bank details, photocopies of identification, social security number or other highly sensitive personal information during the offer process, and we NEVER do so via email or social media. If you receive any such request, DO NOT respond- it is a fraudulent request. Please forward such requests to spam@catalent.com for us to investigate with local authorities.

California Job Seekers can find our California Job Applicant Notice HERE.

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About Catalent

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Catalent is an exciting and growing international company where employees work directly with pharma, biopharma and consumer health companies of all sizes to advance new medicines from early development to clinical trials and to the market. Catalent produces more than 70 billion doses per year, and each one will be used by someone who is counting on us. Join us in making a difference.Catalent is committed to the health and safety of its employees, visitors and the customers and patients we serve.

Industry

Pharmaceutical product wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Somerset, NJ, US

Year founded

2007

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