All Skills Related to Process Development Associate

Teaser image
Career Description

Process Development Associates evaluate biomanufacturing processes, improve them, and scale them up for larger batches of materials. Their goals are to improve product yield and reduce overall costs of production. In addition to scaling up to produce larger amounts, these associates also work on small batches of materials. An analogy can be made to baking cookies. A small batch would be a dozen cookies. A scaled up batch could be cookies for the whole state of Wisconsin.

Process development associates produce products using cell culture or fermentation and employ diverse techniques to purify

Skill Sort descending Skill Category Description Career Options
Analyze Data Data analysis

Use a data set to understand and draw conclusions about a sample.  The analysis may include graphing, statistics, and presenting work in tables.

Biomanufacturing Biomanufacturing Be able to demonstrate knowledge of pharmaceutical manufacturing of biotechnology products, aseptic processing, cell culture products
Cell culture - biomanufacturing Biomanufacturing Monitor production runs, complete cell culture maintenance tasks (passaging, seeing, harvesting, concentrating).
cGMP manufacturing Regulations

cGMP stands for current Good Manufacturing Practices. GMPs apply to industries that produce pharmaceuticals, food, and beverages. The FDA publishes guidances to help companies understand how they view the regulations related to drug manufacturing. Since FDA's thinking evolves, it is important to know what about the current GMPS. People who manufacture drugs for human use are expected to understand and comply with current FDA guidelines related to Good Manufacturing Practices.

Clean room Clean room Demonstrate proper gowning and cleanroom behavior.
Compliance management Quality Understand and comply with the procedures and systems needed to comply with company standards.
Computer skills Computer

Use Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.  Word or another writing program would be used to prepare technical documents and write reports. Excel is used to create spreadsheets, tables, and graphs, and for data analysis. PowerPoint is used to present results.

Database skills, inventory tracking, and the ability to use a Laboratory Information Management system are also common requirements.

Data entry Computer Enter data promptly and accurately
Data management Data management

Ensure that manufacturing data is maintained, reviewed, analyzed, assessed, ensuring accuracy and compliance

Documentation Documentation

Promptly and accurately enter information, calculate, and report results.

Electronic Laboratory Notebook Documentation Use an electronic laboratory notebook for recording and reporting results.
Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs) Regulations

Companies that conduct pre-clinical research must comply with Good Laboratory Practices. In a company, GLPs are part of a quality system that covers the process and conditions under which non-clinical laboratory studies are planned, performed, monitored, recorded, reported, and archived.

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) Regulations

Companies that manufacture substances regulated by the FDA must adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs). Good Documentation Practices (GDP) are important in recording and managing data related to test results.

In process sampling and testing Manufacturing Perform in-process sampling and testing during production using analytical laboratory instruments.
Laboratory equipment Laboratory Operations Be able to operate a variety of laboratory equipment including autoclaves, warm rooms, water baths, shakers, and centrifuges.
Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) Data management Understand the purpose of a LIMS and be able to use one.
Laboratory Safety Safety Know how to find MSDS information and follow proper laboratory safety protocols
Laboratory skills Laboratory Operations Be able to perform a variety of laboratory activites including measurement, calculations, preparing materials, and operating laboratory instruments and equipment. Understand how precipitation, dialysis, and centrifugation are used separate materials.
Laboratory techniques Laboratory Operations Be able to perform a variety of laboratory techniques such as material preparation, gel electrophoresis, protein purification, and culturing microorganisms.
Manufacturing operations Manufacturing Understand the steps involved in manufacturing and delivering a product that meets the required specifications.
Oral communication Communication Able to convey information accurately orally
Project Management Workplace behavior Project managers identify components of a project, develop timelines, and work with a team to assign tasks and follow up on progress.
Project timelines Project management Understand project timelines, start-up and changeover schedules
Public speaking Workplace behavior

Able to present work and results in public and make points clearly.

Quality Control Quality Be able to comply with a set of procedures that ensure that a product meets defined criteria.
Quality Control Quality Understand quality systems and documentation
Quality Systems Quality Understand the meaning of a quality system and how a company's practices are used to maintain quality.
Reagent preparation Chemistry Follow SOPs to prepare reagents
Regulatory Agencies Biotechnology Demonstrate knowledge of regulatory agencies governing the manufacture and distribution of biotechnology-derived products
Safety Compliance Safety

Carry out laboratory work and field work without endangering yourself or others.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) Biotechnology Follow SOPs and adhere to quality guidelines.
Team work Communication Work effectively with team members to coordinate tasks and meet objectives
Technical writing Communication

Know how to write, revise, and collaborate on technical documents such as standard operating procedures (SOPs) and analytical methods.

Time management Workplace behavior

Accurately estimate the amount of time needed to perform one or more tasks and organize time effectively.

Troubleshooting Laboratory Operations

Analyze a problem and identify the correct solution

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Regulations

The FDA protects public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical devices; and by ensuring the safety of the U.Ss food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. They also regulate tobacco.

Many biotechnology companies require employees to understand and know how to comply with FDA requirements. These include for Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and Good Documentation Practices (GDPs). Companies that are carrying out clinical trials must also comply with Good Clinical Practices (GCPs).

Validation Quality assurance Know how to perform IQ, OQ, PQ (Installation Qualification, Operational Qualification, Performance Qualification). These are three activities that must be performed on equipment and machines as part of the validataion of manufacturing processes.
Written communication Communication Able to convey information accurately through writing