Scientist I, Cell Culture

Job Title: Scientist I, Cell Culture Job Description The Scientist I, Cell Culture supports the manufacture of cellular-based products in a BSL-2 laboratory environment. This role involves hands-on mammalian and insect cell culture, solution and media preparation, and participation in both small-scale and larger-scale production activities. The Scientist I follows established standard operating procedures (SOPs), safety requirements, and documentation practices while building strong biomanufacturing experience in a collaborative, training-focused setting. Responsibilities

- Prepare media and laboratory solutions according to established protocols and quality standards.
- Maintain, expand, and manage assigned cell lines, including routine flask-based cell culture activities.
- Perform small-scale shake-flask production and support larger-scale bioreactor production following training and demonstrated proficiency.
- Carry out cell-harvest activities and conduct cellular-based assays to support manufacturing and development needs.
- Perform laboratory work inside a biosafety cabinet, ensuring proper setup, workflow, cleaning, and contamination-control practices.
- Operate pumps, filtration systems, and filtration cartridges after training, following all safety and operating procedures.
- Complete batch records, laboratory notebooks, work orders, and other manufacturing documentation with accurate, detailed entries.
- Record detailed observations during cell culture and production runs, confirming that processes remain within established operating parameters.
- Recognize abnormalities, process concerns, or potential quality issues and escalate them promptly to team members or appropriate leadership.
- Support troubleshooting activities under the guidance of scientists and manufacturing team members.
- Assist with updates to SOPs and manufacturing batch records to reflect process changes and improvements.
- Maintain laboratory equipment, product inventories, and associated records to ensure readiness and compliance.
- Support process-improvement activities aimed at enhancing efficiency, quality, and consistency in cell culture and production workflows.
- Manage multiple assignments and prioritize tasks based on cell-growth dynamics, production schedules, and customer demand.
- Communicate proactively when deadlines or priorities conflict, seeking guidance and alignment from the team.
- After completing training and demonstrating proficiency, independently manage assigned cell lines and routine production responsibilities.
- Follow all safety requirements and work safely with chemicals, hazardous materials, and BSL-2 laboratory procedures.
- Participate in orientation, compliance training, safety training, and laboratory-access requirements before hands-on work.
- Collaborate closely with scientists and manufacturing team members, contributing to a supportive and knowledge-sharing environment.
- Maintain dependable attendance and adjust working hours when production or cell-culture activities require schedule flexibility.
- Recognize, document, communicate, and escalate issues appropriately without independently performing root-cause investigations or implementing corrective actions at this level.

Essential Skills

- Bachelors degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biotechnology, or a related life-science discipline.
- Hands-on cell culture experience beyond standard classroom laboratory courses, including direct handling and maintenance of cells in flasks.
- Experience working with mammalian or insect cell lines in an industry laboratory, internship, co-op, research-assistant role, or extensive undergraduate research assignment.
- Demonstrated ability to perform laboratory work inside a biosafety cabinet, including handling cells and culture materials.
- Strong understanding and consistent application of aseptic technique and contamination-prevention practices.
- Ability to explain cell culture procedures performed, including preparation of materials, organization of work, and recognition of potential abnormalities.
- Ability to follow detailed SOPs and written instructions with strong documentation and recordkeeping skills.
- Ability to recognize potential process issues, quality concerns, or abnormalities and escalate them appropriately.
- Strong attention to detail in laboratory work, documentation, and observation recording.
- Ability to organize work around changing cell-growth patterns and production requirements.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, production-oriented environment.
- Clear verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration and documentation.
- Dependable and consistent attendance to support production schedules and team coordination.
- Ability to work independently after training while maintaining alignment with team objectives and procedures.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with scientists and manufacturing team members in a team-based environment.
- Ability to lift up to 35 pounds frequently as part of laboratory and production activities.
- Ability to stand for extended periods while performing laboratory duties.
- Ability to work safely with chemicals and hazardous materials in a BSL-2 laboratory setting.
- Flexibility to adjust working hours when production or cell-culture activities require schedule changes.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

- At least one year of relevant laboratory experience preferred, gained through industry roles, internships, co-ops, research-assistant positions, or substantial undergraduate research.
- Experience with mammalian cell culture and insect cell culture, including cell-line maintenance and cell expansion.
- Experience preparing solutions and media for cell culture and production activities.
- Familiarity with maintaining and completing batch records and other manufacturing documentation.
- Exposure to antibody production workflows is beneficial.
- Experience operating pumps, filtration systems, and filtration cartridges is advantageous.
- Comfort working in a BSL-2 laboratory environment with appropriate biosafety practices.
- Interest in biotechnology manufacturing and in developing highly transferable cell culture and biomanufacturing skills.
- Motivation to transition into or expand experience in a production-oriented biotechnology environment.
- Ability to communicate planned holiday time off during the interview process to support production planning.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Carlsbad, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $30.00/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)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Carlsbad,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 19, 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.

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regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
by law.

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Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the
city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants
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It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a
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