Associate Scientist, Pilot

Associate Scientist, Pilot

Evotec

Toulouse, France

What You’ll Do:

• Support pilot-scale operations bridging process development and manufacturing, including the execution of 50 L bioreactor runs and associated downstream purification processes for engineering batches and material generation.
• Assist in the setup, calibration, and operation of pilot-scale bioreactors, control systems, and related equipment (media prep systems, pumps, harvest systems, filtration units).
• Prepare, assemble, and autoclave single-use and stainless-steel bioprocess components (bioreactor parts, chromatography skids, filters, tubing assemblies).
• Participate in upstream inoculation, sampling, monitoring, and downstream unit operations such as depth filtration, chromatography, and UF/DF.
• Maintain, clean, and troubleshoot pilot-scale instruments, ensuring equipment readiness and adherence to safety and quality standards.
• Support process transfer activities by executing engineering studies, collecting process data, and documenting results according to established protocols.
• Accurately record process parameters, observations, and results in electronic lab notebooks and batch records, ensuring data integrity and traceability.
• Assist in the preparation of process documentation including SOPs, protocols, and summary reports under supervision.
• Collaborate with process development, analytical, and manufacturing teams to ensure smooth execution of pilot-scale activities.
• Participate in troubleshooting and process improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, consistency, and scalability.
• Maintain an organized and compliant workspace and adhere to all EHS and biosafety requirements.
• Weekend or off-hour work will be required during extended pilot runs.

Your profile:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, or related field with relevant hands-on experience in upstream and/or downstream bioprocessing.
• Proficiency in both verbal and written English is essential.
• Hands-on experience with bioreactor operations (bench or pilot scale) and chromatography or filtration systems.
• Strong attention to detail, documentation discipline, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks in a dynamic environment.
• Eager to learn scale-up concepts and cross-functional process integration between development and manufacturing.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); familiarity with process control and data acquisition software is a plus.
• Team-oriented, proactive, and motivated to work in a collaborative, fast-paced pilot plant environment.

Pluses

• Experience with AKTA, TFF systems, single-use bioreactors, or process automation platforms.
• Knowledge of scale-up principles and technology transfer concepts.
• Familiarity with buffer/media preparation, aseptic techniques, and cleanroom practices.
• General understanding of mammalian cell culture, protein chemistry, and unit operations in bioprocessing.
• Exposure to GMP or regulated biomanufacturing environments.