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Upstream Process Development Scientist Jobs in Pennsylvania

Legend Biotech US

Scientist

Philadelphia, PA

... development of lentiviral vector upstream processes, including seed train strategy and scale-up ... This Scientist position will closely work with Molecular Biology, Downstream, Analytical and ...

Legend Biotech US

Scientist

Philadelphia, PA · On-site

Basic understanding of upstream process development and their impact on product quality. * Strong ... scientific findings to cross-functional teams. * Ability to work both independently and ...

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How much do upstream process development scientist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for upstream process development scientist in Pennsylvania is $38.76, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.41 and $46.25 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an upstream process development scientist do?

An Upstream Process Development Scientist is responsible for designing, optimizing, and scaling up processes for the production of biological products such as proteins, vaccines, or antibodies. They primarily focus on cell culture, fermentation, and bioreactor operations to maximize yield and product quality. These scientists work closely with research and manufacturing teams to develop efficient and reproducible processes that can be transferred to large-scale production. Their work is essential in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries for the development of new therapeutics.

What are some typical challenges faced by an upstream process development scientist, and how are they addressed in the workplace?

Upstream Process Development Scientists often encounter challenges such as optimizing cell culture conditions for maximum yield, scaling up processes from bench to pilot or production scale, and troubleshooting variability in biological systems. These challenges are typically addressed through rigorous experimental design, close collaboration with cross-functional teams like analytical development and quality assurance, and leveraging data-driven approaches to problem-solving. Regular team meetings and access to advanced instrumentation also provide support, ensuring that scientists can quickly adapt to evolving project needs and industry standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an upstream process development scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Upstream Process Development Scientist, you need a strong background in bioprocess engineering, cell culture, and molecular biology, typically supported by a degree in life sciences or biochemical engineering. Familiarity with bioreactor systems, analytical instrumentation, and data analysis software, as well as experience with cGMP and regulatory guidelines, is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication help drive innovation and collaboration in the lab. These skills are crucial for optimizing cell culture processes, ensuring product quality, and meeting timelines in biopharmaceutical development.

What is the difference between Upstream Process Development Scientist vs Downstream Process Development Scientist?

AspectUpstream Process Development ScientistDownstream Process Development Scientist
Focus AreaBioreactor cultivation, cell culture optimization, media developmentPurification, filtration, chromatography, product recovery
Skills & CertificationsCell biology, bioprocessing, GMP regulationsProtein chemistry, purification techniques, GMP compliance
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, bioreactors, pilot plantsLaboratories, purification facilities, pilot plants
Industry UsageBiopharmaceuticals, biotech companies, contract manufacturingBiopharmaceuticals, biotech companies, contract manufacturing

Both roles are essential in bioprocessing, with upstream scientists focusing on cell growth and media optimization, while downstream scientists handle product purification. They often collaborate closely within biopharmaceutical manufacturing to ensure efficient production and high-quality biologics.

What are popular job titles related to Upstream Process Development Scientist jobs in Pennsylvania?

For Upstream Process Development Scientist jobs in Pennsylvania, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Upstream Process Development Scientist jobs in Pennsylvania look for?

The top searched job categories for Upstream Process Development Scientist jobs in Pennsylvania are:

Upstream Process Development Scientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Upstream Process Development Scientist job openings in Pennsylvania as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 14% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 98% In-person, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,613 per year, or $38.8 per hour.

Scientist, Upstream Process Development

Johnson and Johnson

Reading, PA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at jnj.com.
As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.
Job Function:
Discovery & Pre-Clinical/Clinical Development
Job Sub Function:
Biotherapeutics R&D
Job Category:
Scientific/Technology
All Job Posting Locations:
Spring House, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Job Description:
At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal.
Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at jnj.com.
As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.
We are searching for the best talent for a Scientist, Upstream Process Development to be in Spring House, PA.
Purpose:
The Scientist, Upstream Process Development will support development, optimization, and characterization of scalable cell culture processes for in vivo therapeutic programs. This role will contribute to early- through clinical-stage process development, with emphasis on bioreactor execution, media and process optimization, scale-down model generation, and data-driven process understanding for next-generation biologics and genetic medicines.
You will be responsible for:
  • Design and execute upstream process development studies for lentiviral in vivo therapeutic products under scientific guidance.
  • Perform cell culture experiments using shake flasks, bench-scale bioreactors, and automated high-throughput systems.
  • Support development of scalable fed-batch and perfusion processes to improve productivity, quality, and manufacturability.
  • Utilize Ambr® 250 bioreactor systems for process development, media optimization, and scale-down model studies.
  • Apply statistical experimental design, data analytics, and visualization tools to support process understanding and decision-making.
  • Build working knowledge of Process Analytical Technology, Raman spectroscopy, online monitoring, and digital bioprocessing tools.
  • Analyze and interpret process data using JMP, MiniTab, Python, Spotfire, or similar platforms.
  • Support evaluation of novel upstream technologies that improve process robustness and development efficiency.
  • Collaborate with downstream, analytical, automation, modeling, and formulation teams to align study design and deliverables.
  • Author technical reports, development summaries, protocols, and regulatory-supporting documentation.

Qualifications:
  • BS or MS in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, or related field with 2-4+ years of relevant experience
  • Experience in mammalian cell culture process development for biologics, cell and gene therapy, RNA therapeutics, or related viral vector modalities.
  • Hands-on experience with bioreactor operation, media optimization, process monitoring, and process scale-up support.
  • Experience with Ambr® 250 high-throughput bioreactor systems.
  • Strong data analysis, experimental design, and technical documentation skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.

Johnson & Johnson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by federal, state or local law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Johnson & Johnson is committed to providing an interview process that is inclusive of our applicants' needs. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation, external applicants please contact us via https://www.jnj.com/contact-us/careers . internal employees contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource.
Required Skills:
Preferred Skills:
Analytical Reasoning, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Control (CMC), Coaching, Collaboration, Conducting Experiments, Data Quality, Drug Discovery Development, Molecular Diagnostics, Patent Applications, Pharmacogenetics, Report Writing, Research Documents, Scientific Research, Technologically Savvy, Written Expression

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