Bioprocess Digitization Lead (ABPDU)

Berkeley Lab’s (LBNL) Biological Systems and Engineering (BSE) Division has an opening for a Bioprocess Digitization Lead to join the Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Process Development Unit (ABPDU)! 

In this exciting role, you will implement the digital backbone that connects cutting-edge synthetic biology research to industrial-scale biomanufacturing. You will bridge the gap between R&D and scale-up by digitizing the “art of scale-up” and enabling seamless technology transfer across ABPDU’s diverse portfolio of global collaborators. 

You will have the opportunity to combine strategic program leadership with technical product ownership, ensuring that bioprocess data, workflows, and knowledge systems are structured for scalability, reproducibility, and future AI-driven innovation. Leading complex programs, you will contribute to strategic planning, and may provide scientific or technical leadership, including identifying new research directions and funding opportunities.

This position has an anticipated start date of May 4, 2026.

We’re here for the same mission, to bring science solutions to the world. Join our team and YOU will play a supporting role in our goal to address global challenges! Have a high level of impact and work for an organization associated with 17 Nobel Prizes!

Why join Berkeley Lab?

We invest in our employees by offering a total rewards package you can count on:

• Exceptional health and retirement benefits, including pension or 401K-style plans.
• Opportunities to grow in your career - check out our Tuition Assistance Program.
• A culture where you’ll belong - we are invested in our teams! 
• In addition to accruing vacation and sick time, we also have a Winter Holiday Shutdown every year.
• Parental bonding leave (for both mothers and fathers).
• Pet insurance.

What You Will Do:

• Define and drive the long-term vision and roadmap for ABPDU’s Electronic Batch Record (EBR) and Tech Transfer software platforms.
• Establish a scalable, integrated data platform serving as the authoritative source for multi-modal bioprocess data.
• Prioritize feature development aligned with scientific, operational, and partner needs.
• Translate deep domain knowledge in fermentation and downstream processing into standardized, digitized workflows.
• Develop structured data models for media recipes, feeding strategies, and sampling plans.
• Capture biological variability in reproducible, machine-readable formats.
• Establish and maintain data integrity standards across numerical and non-numerical datasets.
• Ensure data systems are designed to support advanced analytics, AI/ML applications, and knowledge representation frameworks.
• Oversee data lifecycle management, including collection, validation, storage, and accessibility.
• Serve as a key liaison between bioprocess engineers, data scientists, and external collaborators.
• Communicate effectively across technical domains, bridging laboratory research and industrial manufacturing contexts.
• Lead the planning, development, and execution of complex programs, projects, and initiatives supporting ABPDU’s mission.
• Develop and manage program plans, schedules, budgets, deliverables, and resource allocation.
• Monitor program performance from initiation through delivery, implementing corrective actions.
• Provide technical direction and leadership to program staff, including supervise support staff or lead early career program managers.
• Interface with internal stakeholders, external collaborators, and sponsors on programmatic and technical matters.
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities; contribute to proposal development and sponsor engagement.
• Resolve scientific, technical, and logistical challenges critical to program success.

What is Required:

• A Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent knowledge/training) in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology, or Bioengineering or a related area and a minimum of 5 years of relevant hands-on experience in a bioprocess development environment within an industrial setting or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Significant experience authoring or managing industrial batch records and navigating the complexities of technology transfer from lab to pilot / commercial scale.
• Experience working with digital systems, data platforms, or software tools supporting scientific workflows.
• Knowledge of program management principles, tools, and methodologies including experience with scheduling, budgeting, and resource planning.
• Strong analytical skills including experience assessing program performance and identifying risks or inefficiencies. 
• Strong organizational skills, including experience managing competing priorities, developing program plans, and executing against deadlines.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including experience organizing and presenting program updates to stakeholders.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills including experience collaborating with external partners, sponsors, collaborators, and an interdisciplinary research team in a multi-disciplinary scientific or production environment.

Desired Skills/Knowledge:

• An Advanced Degree (or equivalent knowledge/training) in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology, or Bioengineering or a related area or a minimum of 10 years of relevant hands-on experience in a bioprocess development environment within an industrial setting or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with cloud-based ELN/LIMS systems or custom EBR platforms.
• Familiarity with Electronic Batch Records (EBR), Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), or similar platforms.
• Experience in a CDMO environment or working with external collaborators on diverse microbial hosts.

• Familiarity with data ontologies for synthetic biology and bioprocessing.
• Understanding of bioprocess development, scale-up challenges, and industrial biotechnology workflows.
• Awareness of emerging trends in data science, AI/ML, and digital transformation in life sciences.

Additional Information:

• Application Date: Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply with a resume and cover letter describing your interest in this position by Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.
• Appointment Type: This is a full-time, career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
• Salary Information: This position has a budgeted salary range of $114,324 - $142,896annually, which fits within the full salary range of $114,324 - $192,936 annually, for job code Z10.2. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, certifications, and aligned with the internal peer group.
• Background Check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work Modality: This position will be performed onsite at the Emeryville Station East (ESE) Operations Center located in Building 978 at 5885 Hollis Street Emeryville, CA 94608. Work schedules are dependent on business needs. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here).
• Relocation Assistance: This position is not eligible for relocation assistance.
• Work Authorization: Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.