Pow.Bio Analytical Chemist/Scientist Alameda, CA · Full time

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About Pow.Bio

Pow.Bio is building the next generation of industrial biomanufacturing platforms and is a pioneer in AI-enabled continuous fermentation technology. We enable high-performance, continuous and decoupled fermentation processes that dramatically improve productivity, robustness, and scalability across food, nutrition, and industrial biotechnology applications.

Our work spans organism-agnostic fermentation, advanced process automation, and tightly integrated upstream and downstream operations—bridging bench-scale innovation with real-world manufacturing. Pow.Bio is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, with a new 25,000 sq ft facility in Alameda, California, where we routinely develop, optimize, and scale our AI-enabled continuous fermentation technology from bench through pilot scale, and subsequently deploy it at partner and commercial facilities worldwide.

About the Position

We are seeking an experienced, independent, and collaborative Analytical Chemist/Scientist, Analytical Chemistry to join our growing Operations organization. In this role, you will play a leading technical role in the technology transfer, adaptation, validation, and execution of analytical methods supporting Pow.Bio’s customer programs.

You will work closely with internal teams and external partners to translate customer analytical protocols into robust, fit-for-purpose assays and ensure high-quality, timely delivery of analytical data across active projects. This role includes direct ownership of both routine and technically complex sample analysis, as well as responsibility for the day-to-day operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of laboratory instrumentation.

With your industry background in analytical chemistry, you understand the importance of running a focused, reliable, execution-oriented operation. You hold yourself to high data quality standards, ensuring results are accurate, traceable, and clearly communicated. You are comfortable engaging with scientists and engineers to interpret data, investigate anomalies, and address issues transparently when they arise.

You have a genuine interest in analytical instrumentation and enjoy hands-on troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and continuous improvement of laboratory workflows. You are motivated to keep learning—expanding your method development capabilities, adopting new analytical platforms, and improving how analytical data supports fermentation and process development decisions. As an early member of Pow.Bio’s Analytical Chemistry team, you will have a meaningful influence on how the function is built and how it supports our customers and internal stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

• Own day-to-day analytical operations, sample receipt, preparation, analysis, data review, interpretation, and timely reporting in support of Pow.Bio customer programs and internal development activities.
• Characterize the composition of defined and complex substrates, including feeds, media components, and raw materials, and assess how composition impacts fermentation performance and analytical outcomes.
• Analyze and interpret primary and secondary metabolites from microbial fermentations—including substrates, products, intermediates, and byproducts—using chromatographic and enzymatic-based methods.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot analytical instrumentation, including liquid chromatography systems and automated biochemical analyzers (e.g., Gallery™), performing routine maintenance, diagnosing issues, and coordinating repairs or service as needed.
• Integrate data from multiple analytical platforms (e.g., LC-RI, LC-UV/DAD, enzymatic analyzers) to support fermentation understanding, mass balance closure, and process decision-making.
• Establish, implement, and monitor quality controls for analytical methods and data, including system suitability, standards, controls, trending, and documentation to ensure consistency, reliability, and comparability across projects and over time.
• Lead the development, adaptation, and improvement of analytical methods, including translating customer-provided protocols, optimizing methods for Pow.Bio samples and matrices, and performing fit-for-purpose qualification or validation as required.
• Collaborate closely with fermentation, operations, and scientific teams, as well as external partners and customers, to define analytical requirements, interpret results, investigate deviations, and communicate findings clearly and transparently.
• Support technology transfer activities, ensuring analytical methods are properly documented, reproducible, and aligned with customer expectations and downstream process needs.
• Contribute to the build-out of the Analytical Chemistry function, including workflows, documentation, training, and mentoring of junior team members as the team grows.

Qualifications:

• Degree in Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field; PhD with 2+ years of relevant industry experience or BS/MS with 5+ years of equivalent industry experience.
• Hands-on experience with liquid chromatography–based methods, including LC-RI and LC-UV/DAD.
• Experience operating and troubleshooting analytical instrumentation; Agilent instrumentation and software (including OpenLabs) experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work hands-on, take ownership of work, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and a commitment to data quality and clear documentation.
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative, team-oriented mindset.
• Enthusiasm for contributing to Pow.Bio’s mission.

Nice-to-have:

• Familiarity with cGMP principles and fit-for-purpose method qualification or validation.
• Understanding of fermentation mass, elemental, and energy balances.
• Experience with industrial-scale or pilot-scale fermentations.
• Exposure to statistics, data science, or machine learning applied to analytical or bioprocess data.
• Programming or automation experience, including Python or integration with fermentor control systems and SCADA environments.

Why Pow.Bio

Be part of the team redefining how precision fermentation is scaled globally.

Join a small, high-impact team where your outreach directly drives company growth.

Work with cutting-edge continuous fermentation technology at the intersection of biology, automation, and AI.

Compensation and Benefits

Pow.bio offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including:

• Flexible PTO and company-wide holidays
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with company matching contributions

Compensation for this role is based on experience, scope, and demonstrated impact. The expected hiring compensation for this position is $ 130,000- $ 140,000.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Pow.bio is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.

Legal authorization to work in the United States is required. We are unable to sponsor visas for this role.