Job Title: Scientist I (Suspension)
Job Description
The Scientist I (Suspension) plays a key role in GMP manufacturing of biological products, with a focus on suspension and large-scale mammalian cell culture in a highly collaborative, fast-growing cell and gene therapy environment. This role leads and executes daily production processes, ensures compliance with GMP and applicable regulatory requirements, maintains rigorous documentation standards, and supports continuous improvement initiatives. The Scientist I provides technical and operational leadership to junior staff, works with minimal direct supervision toward measurable objectives, and helps drive the strategic direction of the GMP area while contributing directly to the success of manufacturing operations.
Responsibilities
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Lead and execute daily GMP manufacturing operations for biological products, including suspension and large-scale mammalian cell culture processes.
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Ensure the availability of materials and supplies to meet production goals, including ordering and maintaining materials inventory to support GMP operations.
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Maintain a high standard of accurate and complete documentation for all GMP activities in accordance with SOPs and the Quality Management System.
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Set and uphold professional standards within the GMP area, ensuring all work aligns with established policies, procedures, and techniques.
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Work closely with GMP Management to implement the strategic direction of the GMP area and support long-term operational goals.
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Train, supervise, and mentor junior staff to ensure proper operation of facility equipment, adherence to GMP documentation practices, and consistent product quality.
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Guide operations staff, in collaboration with GMP Management and Quality Assurance, through deviation investigations, out-of-specification (OOS) results, and process troubleshooting.
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Collaborate with GMP Management to identify, track, and achieve continuous improvement objectives using metrics and other statistical tools.
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Partner with GMP Management to evaluate and incorporate new projects and technologies into the GMP manufacturing environment.
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Respond to and take appropriate action on alarm notifications from monitoring systems for temperature-controlled storage units during assigned periods of responsibility.
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Operate within the Quality Management System applicable to the manufacture of phase-appropriate material in the controlled manufacturing facility (CMF).
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Maintain compliance with applicable regulatory requirements for cellular and gene therapy products in all assigned activities.
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Solve, correct, and prevent operational problems as assigned by leadership, while also assigning tasks to junior staff as needed.
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Work toward specific, measurable objectives that require operational planning skills, with minimal direct supervision.
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Lead and support a diverse and collaborative team environment by using clear and concise communication to promote high productivity and team success.
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Exercise sound discretion, judgment, and personal responsibility in day-to-day decision-making and prioritization of tasks.
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Demonstrate a high level of integrity, attention to detail, and a consistently positive attitude in all job functions.
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Ensure all activities are performed in alignment with relevant training, practical experience, and working knowledge of the tasks involved.
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Document all laboratory and manufacturing activities accurately and promptly according to SOPs and GMP requirements.
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Support and contribute to a team culture where no work or testing is performed alone, emphasizing collaboration and mutual support.
Essential Skills-
Relevant four-year degree in a Life Science discipline.
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Experience working in a GMP or GLP environment (prior experience strongly preferred).
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Knowledge of GMP principles or bioprocessing operations.
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Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, including suspension culture and large-scale cell culture processes.
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Proficiency in aseptic technique, tissue culture, and eukaryotic cell handling.
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Experience with cell culture, microbiology, tissue culture, and mammalian cell culture techniques.
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Familiarity with cell-based assay development and working with eukaryotic systems.
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Strong communication skills with the ability to convey information clearly and concisely to diverse team members.
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Excellent organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects and adjust to changing priorities.
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High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint, Excel, and Word, with the ability to interpret data and prepare reports.
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Ability to produce technical documentation, including SOPs and technical reports (technical writing experience preferred).
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Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a diverse and inclusive team environment.
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Demonstrated attention to detail and commitment to accurate documentation in all job functions.
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Ability to exercise discretion, sound judgment, and personal responsibility in a regulated environment.
Additional Skills & Qualifications-
Prior experience in suspension culture or bioreactor operations is a strong plus.
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Prior downstream processing experience, including tangential flow filtration (TFF), clarification, or large-scale cell culture, is strongly preferred.
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Experience supporting or participating in deviation investigations, OOS analyses, and process troubleshooting in a GMP or GLP setting.
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Experience working within a Quality Management System for cellular and gene therapy products or other regulated biologics.
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Demonstrated ability to contribute to continuous improvement initiatives using metrics and data-driven approaches.
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Experience in a fast-growing or rapidly scaling manufacturing environment is beneficial.
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Ability to maintain a positive, team-oriented attitude in a dynamic and evolving organization.
Work Environment
This role is based in a fast-growing cell and gene therapy manufacturing organization with multiple state-of-the-art facilities and a strong focus on innovation and continuous growth. The immediate team is small and highly collaborative, with plans to expand significantly, creating opportunities for professional development and increased responsibility. The culture is team-oriented and diverse, and all work and testing are conducted collaboratively rather than individually, fostering a supportive environment where colleagues rely on one another for safety, quality, and success. The position operates in a GMP manufacturing and laboratory setting, working with mammalian cell culture, suspension systems, bioreactors, and other bioprocessing equipment, as well as temperature-controlled storage units monitored by alarm systems. Team members follow business casual dress guidelines with appropriate lab attire required in laboratory and GMP areas. The standard schedule follows a 4-day workweek from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with the expectation of flexibility for occasional long days; when extended hours are needed, start times may be adjusted on subsequent days to help balance overall hours when possible.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Columbus, OH.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $24.00 - $24.00/hr.
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)
This is a fully onsite position in Columbus,OH.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jun 10, 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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: 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 with arrest and conviction records.
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