Job Title: Associate Scientist II - Analytical Ops
Location: Foster City, CA 94404
Duration: 12 Months (Possibility of extension depending upon business requirements and performance)
 
Position Summary:

• We are seeking a highly motivated Associate Scientist to support purification process development during pivotal and commercial development phases.
• This contract role focuses on high?throughput purification of upstream/cell culture samples and supports downstream purification characterization studies.
• A core part of this role is the development and optimization of high?throughput purification assays using state?of?the?art automation platforms (e.g., Tecan, Hamilton).
• The ideal candidate brings strong hands?on laboratory skills, deep familiarity with HTP purification methods, and the ability to establish, troubleshoot, and refine automated workflows.

 
Key Responsibilities:

• High?Throughput Purification & Automation
• Execute high?throughput purification (HTP) workflows for upstream/cell culture samples to support process characterization.
• Operate, optimize, and maintain automated liquid handling systems such as Tecan and Hamilton platforms.
• Develop, qualify, and refine HTP purification assays and microscale purification methods.
• Collaborate with upstream teams to ensure timely sample processing and data delivery.
• Purification Process Development
• Contribute to experimental design and execute purification process development and characterization experiments.
• Conduct bench?scale purification studies using chromatography, filtration, and microscale systems.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret experimental data in compliance with data integrity expectations.
• Prepare high?quality protocols, reports, and electronic laboratory notebook documentation.
• Technical Excellence & Collaboration
• Support implementation of new purification technologies, instrumentation, and platform enhancements.
• Maintain a state?of?the?art purification lab, including instrumentation readiness and workflow improvements.
• Partner with upstream, downstream, and cross?functional colleagues as needed on development and characterization initiatives.
• Follow all compliance, training, and safety requirements.

 
Qualifications/Skills/Experience:

• M.S. with 2+ years or B.S. with 4+ years of relevant industry experience in chemical engineering, biochemistry, bioengineering, or related discipline.
• Expertise developing and executing HTP purification assays, including automated liquid handling systems such as Tecan, Hamilton, and microscale chromatography platforms.
• Experience with chromatography (e.g., AKTA, plate?based), filtration, and standard downstream techniques.
• Strong analytical, documentation, and problem?solving skills.
• Ability to work both independently and in collaborative, fast?paced environments.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.

 
 
At SPECTRAFORCE, we are committed to maintaining a workplace that ensures fair compensation and wage transparency in adherence with all applicable state and local laws. This position’s starting pay is: $ 60.00/hr.