Process Development Specialist
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Posted on:
8 hours ago
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1 Vacancy
Job Summary
Ready to scale the science of sustainability Were looking for a technical expert to bridge the gap between discovery and manufacturing as our Process Development Specialist.
Changing the worldone fruit fly at a time.
Weve developed a novel insect-based expression platform that allows us to make the worlds most sustainable recombinant proteins.
Were unleashing the next biorevolution.
At Future Fields we are continually learning and evolving. We know we dont have all the answers but we try to ask all the questions. We believe in failing forward and leveraging our mistakes to help us grow. We never want our team to feel constrained by the status quo and we dont judge ideas based on where they come from. We actively work to foster a culture of collaboration innovation and psychological safety through transparency structure and open communication. We know it sounds cliché but every employee really is a valued and equal member of the Future Fields team.
Come find your purpose with Future Fields.
We are a rapidly growing venture-backed startup (with support from awesome investors including Bee Partners Y Combinator BDC Climate Tech R7 Partners Toyota Ventures and Amplify Capital). Weve even had a shoutout from Ironman himself! Joining our team now means youll have the opportunity to shape our culture and products to lead others and to influence the direction of our company. Perhaps most importantly youll be joining a team that is genuinely energized by this work and the meaningful potential of biotech to change the world.
About the role
Reporting to the Manufacturing Lead the Process Development Specialist will serve as the critical bridge between our R&D (Protein) and Manufacturing teams. Acting as the owner of technical transfer you will take validated targets from the bench and rigorously adapt them for large-scale production. This is a highly integrated role that requires you to speak both the exploratory language of R&D and the structured regulatory language of GMP manufacturing.
This role will own:
- Leading the scale-up and at-scale process development for new recombinant protein products.
- Owning the technical transfer of projects from R&D to Manufacturing ensuring a seamless handoff.
- Drafting optimizing and validating SOPs and Batch Records to ensure reproducibility and compliance.
- Establishing Process Development as a distinct function within the Manufacturing department creating the standards that separate R&D workflows from Manufacturing workflows.
- Shifting seamlessly between R&D and Manufacturing environments to assist with purification runs and troubleshoot issues as they arise.
This role will assist by:
- Collaborating with the Protein team on early-stage protocol development to ensure future scalability.
- Independently troubleshooting issues during purification runs addressing both scientific deviations and mechanical equipment issues.
- Providing technical feedback to the R&D team to improve the manufacturability of upstream targets.
- Increasing the overall capacity of the Manufacturing team by resolving scale-up challenges before they reach the production floor.
This role requires deep technical expertise in protein purification and a builders mindset. You will be an individual contributor initially expected to work independently with minimal training but your impact will be heavily cross-functional. We are looking for someone who understands that a great process is necessary to make a great product and who has the discipline to document that process to a high standard.
About you
You are a bridge-builder who thrives at the intersection of innovation and standardization. You are meticulous in your documentation understanding that in a scaling biotech environment if it isnt written down it didnt happen. You are technically autonomouscapable of troubleshooting a chromatography skid one moment and editing a batch record the next. You dont just execute processes you refine them looking for ways to make the complex simple and the manual scalable. You are comfortable with ambiguity and eager to define the rules of a new function within our Manufacturing department.
Must-haves
- Deep expertise in protein chromatography at both bench and production scales with an understanding of scale-up mechanics.
- Proven experience drafting verifying and using SOPs and Batch Records in a regulated environment.
- Ability to independently troubleshoot purification runs including diagnosing both technical/scientific anomalies and mechanical equipment failures.
- Strong collaborative skills with a track record of working effectively in cross-functional team environments.
Bonus points
- Experience in Pharma-related GMP environments (or similar high-compliance industries).
- R&D experience providing an understanding of the differences between research workflows and GMP production.
Your future (with Future Fields)
This roadmap outlines the impact youll make as you grow with us. Well use this as a guide for your first year knowing that in a fast-paced environment well adapt and evolve these goals together.
Within 1 month you will:
- Absorb the Science: Become highly familiar with Future Fields specific lysis and clarification protocols and get introduced to our purification systems.
- Map the Landscape: Deeply understand our current product pipeline and CDMO projects specifically identifying those nearing the transition to manufacturing.
Within 3 months you will:
- Operational Independence: Be comfortable performing purification runs independently and utilizing Benchling for data recording.
- Documentation & Training: Complete all SOP reading and training on equipment and processes.
- Bridge the Gap: Begin assisting the Protein team with larger-scale CDMO projects while participating in Manufacturing runs to understand the downstream constraints.
- Build the Framework: Begin drafting SOPs and Batch Records as required for new products.
Within 6 months you will:
- Drive Tech Transfer: Actively participate in and lead tech transfer activities initiating meetings with the Protein team to define ordering specs and process parameters for specific CDMO projects.
- Facilitate Flow: Manage the communication flow with Manufacturing regarding when and how products will be transferred while assisting both teams with runs during peak periods.
Within 1 year you will:
- Define the Function: Formally establish and define the role of the Process Development function providing clear documented criteria for when a product must transfer from Protein to PD and from PD to Manufacturing.
- Unlock Capacity: Successfully increase the capacity of the Protein team by accepting target handoffs sooner and increase Manufacturing capacity by delivering robust pre-troubleshot protocols.
About our team
Our story and approach to science are anything but conventional. Matt (co-founder/CEO) was a touring punk rock musician who dropped out of University before returning to complete his PhD in cell biology. Jalene (co-founder/COO) is a social researcher by training previously working on issues from the right to affordable housing to harm reduction. The spark of an idea for our technology came while waiting in line for tiny Canadian donuts. Our broader team of scientists engineers circus performers restaurateurs dancers music aficionados kid parents pet parents cyclists and artists hail from every corner of the world - from small town Alberta to Poland India Vietnam and Pakistan. We credit our diverse team and experiences as the key to our success - and we encourage candidates of all identities and backgrounds to apply.
FAQs
Where is Future Fields located
Our headquarters and production facility are located in downtown Edmonton Alberta in a renovated historic warehouse. From the exposed brick to our summer patio - its not your average lab space. It is central close to transit and bike lanes and walking distance to some of the citys best coffee shops restaurants and Edmontons incredible river valley.
I dont live in Edmonton. Why would I want to relocate there
Because its great! Edmonton is a young vibrant city that punches way above its weight. We are one of Canadas sunniest cities and offer an unmatched quality of life with a low cost of living. Were home to North Americas largest urban parkland (the River Valley is a playground for cyclists and runners) a festival scene that runs year-round a rapidly growing tech and biotech ecosystem and were exploding with award-winning independent restaurants. Its a place where you can build a career and a life - without the big-city price tag.
Any other perks
Many! Some include: comprehensive health dental and vision benefits; flexible paid time off policy; and the office is always stocked with snacks and all the coffee you can drink.
Will I like working for a startup
Great question. Startup life is definitely not for everyone. We move quickly. Projects and priorities shift fast. There is a lot of ambiguity and uncertainty at times and were not immune to the growing pains of a rapidly scaling startup. The risk is high but so is the reward. We promise you will never get bored. You will have fun and learn a lot. You will grow personally and professionally in ways you never imagined (alongside our company). You will be part of something much bigger than yourself and contribute directly to the mission of a team who cares deeply about changing the world for the better. Oh and equity!
Sound like something you are interested in Here are the next steps:
Apply online using our job portal.
If it seems like a good fit next steps will look somewhat like this:
- We will contact you for a casual 1015-minute video call.
- We will set up an interview to dive into your technical skills and motivation.
- Well arrange another interview to figure out how you fit with our team and culture and better understand your career trajectory.
- We will set up a coffee chat with you and a team member. This is your chance to dig in and find out what its really like to work for Future Fields. This is for you!
- We will speak with two of your references to confirm our assumption that you are in fact our next great hire.
- We offer you a job!
We are committed to building a diverse team and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified individuals including those with disabilities and candidates from all backgrounds and identities. Please note that for this specific position we are unable to provide sponsorship for work authorization; candidates must currently be legally authorized to work in Canada.
Required Experience:
IC
Key Skills
- Hr Executive Recruitment
- Internship
- Information Technology Sales
- Furniture
- Administration Support
About Company
We use fruit flies to make Earth's most sustainable recombinant proteins.
