Senior Research Associate (Fermentation / Recovery)

Berkeley Lab’s (LBNL) Biological Systems and Engineering (BSE) Division has an opening for a Senior Research Associate to join the Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Process Development Unit (ABPDU)!

In this exciting role, you will support bench and pilot-scale fermentation, recovery, and purification of biofuels, biochemicals, proteins, enzymes, and materials, scaling processes from shake flasks to 300 L. You will operate bioreactors and recovery equipment, conduct experiments according to batch records and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), troubleshoot processes, analyze preliminary data, and document and communicate results to supervisors and project teams.

This position has an anticipated start date of January 4, 2027.

We’re here for the same mission, to bring science solutions to the world. Join our team and YOU will play a supporting role in our goal to address global challenges! Have a high level of impact and work for an organization associated with 17 Nobel Prizes!

Why join Berkeley Lab?

We invest in our employees by offering a total rewards package you can count on:

• Exceptional health benefits.
• Generous paid time off, sick time off, and holidays.
• A culture where you’ll belong - we are invested in our teams!

What You Will Do:

• Execute fermentation process development and scale-up activities.
• Perform hands-on fermentation and recovery operations from bench to 300 L pilot scale.
• Prepare media, reagents, equipment, and batch records.
• Operate bioreactors, manage inoculation, sampling, feeding, and process monitoring.
• Operate and troubleshoot bioreactors, centrifuges, homogenizers, filtration systems, and chromatography equipment.
• Perform recovery and purification processes, including centrifugation, liquid-liquid extraction, tangential flow filtration, and chromatography.
• Operate analytical tools, including HPLC, GC, process mass spectrometry, and other process-monitoring systems.
• Maintain experimental records, analyze data, identify trends, and communicate results through reports and presentations.
• Conduct assigned BSL-2 laboratory work involving bacterial and mammalian cell cultures.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across fermentation, recovery, biomass deconstruction, and analytics.
• Follow and help update SOPs and batch records while maintaining equipment, laboratory organization, and safety standards.

• Assist with general laboratory activities including cleaning, waste disposal, inventory, purchasing, and laboratory organization.

What is Required:

• A minimum of 2 years of experience in fermentation, bioprocessing, recovery, biochemical engineering, microbiology, or related process-development activities.
• Hands-on experience with bioreactors and/or downstream processing equipment, including fermentation process development, recovery operations, or process scale-up activities.
• Demonstrated ability to execute established experimental procedures and operate bench-scale equipment, including the ability to support pilot-scale operations under general guidance from the supervisor.
• Demonstrated ability to follow SOPs and batch records, maintain accurate experimental documentation, and organize and conduct preliminary analysis of experimental data.
• Demonstrated proficiency with standard computer applications, including spreadsheets, presentation software, and shared file-management systems.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot routine laboratory or process equipment issues and seek additional technical guidance when needed.
• Strong organizational and record-keeping skills, including the ability to organize and present project updates.
• Demonstrated communication skills including the ability to work with an interdisciplinary research team.
• Must be able to frequently lift up to 50 pounds.

Desired Skills/Knowledge:

• An Advanced Degree (or equivalent knowledge/training) in Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related field.

• Experience with pilot-scale fermentation or downstream processing equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and implement new laboratory and process techniques.

Additional Information:

• Application Date: Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply with a resume and cover letter describing interest in this position by Tuesday, November 10, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.
• Appointment Type: This is a full-time, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay, 2 years (benefits eligible), Term appointment with the possibility of extension or conversion to Career appointment based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs.
• Union Represented: This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.
• Salary Range: This position has a budgeted salary range of $75,384 - $96,036 annually for job code 381.2. It