Research & Development – Process Development (Upstream) Senior Scientist

What this level means

Expert in field; key problem solver and project leader, authority in multiple areas

Scope

Multiple systems or a technical domain

Autonomy

Sets direction within the domain

Complexity

Novel, high-ambiguity problems; establishes the approach

Impact

Org / multi-team outcomes

Decision rights

Authority over a technical domain

Leadership

Leads cross-team technical initiatives

Typical experience

8–12 yrs

What you'd do

• Lead the design and optimization of upstream processes
• Plan and oversee multiple experiments or campaigns
• Provide scientific mentorship and daily oversight to junior scientists
• Represent the upstream process function in cross-functional teams
• Drive innovation in upstream processing
• Lead process optimization projects
• Mentor junior scientists
• Represent the team in cross-functional meetings

Skills, knowledge & tools

• Process optimization
• Leadership
• Strategic planning
• Mentorship
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Advanced bioprocessing techniques
• Regulatory compliance
• Strategic process development
• Leadership in scientific environments
• Innovation in bioprocessing
• Leadership and decision-making
• Excellent communication skills
• Strategic Thinking
• Collaboration

What good looks like

• Advanced degree (Ph.D. strongly preferred) in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Cell Biology or a related field
• 8–12+ years of relevant experience in upstream process development
• Experience with scaling processes to manufacturing scale

Common titles

What it pays

Market-pay benchmarks for this family × level are being recalibrated across all survey sources and will return shortly.

O*NET / SOC: 19-0000 — Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations (inferred)

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