Process Engineer Upstream

Reporting Reports to Manager, Upstream Process Development

Company Akston Biosciences is developing novel biologic therapeutics including novel Covid-19 vaccines, preventative treatments for human autoimmune diseases and long-acting insulins for companion animal diabetes. Focused on innovation, our employees thrive in an environment in which individuals can excel while building on their diverse strengths. We offer exciting development opportunities for employees to learn from industry professionals.

Within Akston Biosciences Corporation, Upstream Process Development (USP) department is responsible for the development, characterization, scaleup, and transfer of cell culture processes for early and late stage clinical and commercial manufacturing of therapeutic proteins. In addition, the department provides technical expertise and support for improving the performance of commercial manufacturing processes.

Qualifications A bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in Chemical or Biological Science, Chemical Engineering, 

Biomedical Engineering or equivalent and 0-3 years of work experience in the biotech manufacturing 

sector is required.

Experience The candidate shall demonstrate experience or familiarity with, or willingnessto train on the following techniques and equipment:

 Aseptic technique (cell culture without use of antibiotic).

 Cell culture experiments at various scales from shake flasks, spinner flasks, and bench-top 

bioreactors.

 Setting up and execution of 2L-200L bioreactors, including bioreactor software and controls 

(experience with MilliporeSigma and Cytiva bioreactors, including Cytiva Wave bioreactor is 

plus).

 Daily bioreactor sampling and data entry.

 Cell seed train calculations.

 Blood gas analyzer (BGA), cell counter (Vi-Cell XR), culture electrolyte and metabolite 

determination (Nova Bioprofile Flex/Flex2).

 HPLC for determination of protein titer and quality of product is plus.

 Safety, maintenance, cleaning, and operational aspects of upstream process development 

equipment and processes.

 CHO cell lines, design of experiments for the optimization of media for enhanced product titer, 

Ambr 15/Ambr 250 equipment, and/or experience with single-use disposable upstream 

production at multigram scales is preferred.

 Common software programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; and data analysis 

software such as GraphPad Prism, JMP, and/or SAS