Demo

Associate Scientist, Upstream Process Development

Denali Therapeutics
South San Francisco, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 11/27/2025 CLOSED ON 1/9/2026

What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Scientist, Upstream Process Development position at Denali Therapeutics?

Neurodegenerative diseases are one of the largest medical challenges of our time. Denali Therapeutics is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing breakthrough therapies for neurodegenerative diseases through our deep commitment to degeneration biology and principles of translational medicine. Denali is founded on the collaboration of leading scientists, industry experts, and investors who share the vision that scientific discovery energetically applied to translational medicine is the key to delivering effective therapies to patients.

We invite you to consider an opportunity with Denali to help achieve our goal of delivering meaningful therapeutics to patients.

We are seeking a highly motivated and collaborative Associate Scientist to join our Bioprocess Development team. This is a lab-based position focused on executing and optimizing mammalian cell culture processes to support clinical manufacturing. The successful candidate will be responsible for setting up and running bioreactor experiments, analyzing cell culture performance, and supporting process improvements. The candidate will also collaborate with the cell line development team to support the generation and evaluation of commercially viable cell lines for novel and complex therapeutic molecules.

Key Accountabilities/Core Job Responsibilities

  • Independently execute and analyze lab-scale fed-batch bioreactor experiments to support upstream process development and optimization efforts.
  • Support hands-on cell line development workflows, including transfection, selection, single cell cloning, clone screening, and banking.
  • Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot key laboratory equipment such as Vi-CELL, Nova Flex2, Octet, and bench-scale bioreactors.
  • Maintain accurate and timely lab notebooks and author clear, well-structured technical development reports.
  • Actively contribute to platform process improvements and evaluate emerging technologies through practical lab testing.
  • Consistently follow established experimental protocols and lab workflows and provide input for their refinement and improvement.

Qualifications/Skills

  • BA/BS or MS degree in biology, biochemistry, chemical engineering, or related scientific discipline with 3 years mammalian cell culture experience in the biotech/biopharma industry
  • Good understanding of mammalian/CHO cell culture and upstream process development concepts
  • Hands on experience with AMBR bioreactor systems is a plus
  • Excellent critical thinking, scientific problem-solving, communication skills and strong attention to detail
  • Experience in executing projects with ambitious timelines with the ability to adapt to rapid changes in project priorities

Salary Range: $107,000.00 to $131,000.00 . Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. Denali offers a competitive total rewards package, which includes a 401k, healthcare coverage, ESPP and a broad range of other benefits. Learn more at https://www.denalitherapeutics.com/careers

This compensation and benefits information is based on Denali’s good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.This compensation and benefits information is based on Denali’s good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.

Denali is committed to its core company value of unity by creating a diverse and inclusive environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

Salary : $107,000 - $131,000

Scientist/ Sr Scientist / Staff Scientist (DNA Synthesis Process Development)
Twist Bioscience -
South San Francisco, CA
Process Development Associate
Corbion -
Belmont, CA
Principal Associate Scientist, Process Chemistry
Calico Life Sciences -
South San Francisco, CA

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Associate Scientist, Upstream Process Development?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Associate Scientist, Upstream Process Development career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$86,269 - $122,182
Income Estimation: 
$101,791 - $133,116
Income Estimation: 
$87,704 - $110,366
Income Estimation: 
$120,989 - $162,093
Income Estimation: 
$74,806 - $91,633
Income Estimation: 
$71,928 - $87,026
Income Estimation: 
$145,337 - $174,569
Income Estimation: 
$112,363 - $146,135
Income Estimation: 
$153,127 - $203,425
Income Estimation: 
$139,626 - $193,276
Income Estimation: 
$164,650 - $211,440
Income Estimation: 
$130,030 - $173,363
Income Estimation: 
$192,057 - $260,440
Income Estimation: 
$161,172 - $205,272
Income Estimation: 
$120,254 - $158,147
Income Estimation: 
$225,010 - $318,974
Income Estimation: 
$208,337 - $274,406
Income Estimation: 
$72,001 - $91,803
Income Estimation: 
$88,975 - $120,741
Income Estimation: 
$68,121 - $81,836
Income Estimation: 
$71,928 - $87,026
Income Estimation: 
$125,958 - $157,570
This job has expired.
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Denali Therapeutics

  • Denali Therapeutics South San Francisco, CA
  • Neurodegenerative diseases are one of the largest medical challenges of our time. Denali Therapeutics is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing br... more
  • 4 Days Ago

  • Denali Therapeutics South San Francisco, CA
  • Neurodegenerative diseases are one of the largest medical challenges of our time. Denali Therapeutics is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing br... more
  • 7 Days Ago

  • Denali Therapeutics Salt Lake, UT
  • Neurodegenerative diseases are one of the largest medical challenges of our time. Denali Therapeutics is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing br... more
  • 8 Days Ago

  • Denali Therapeutics Salt Lake, UT
  • Neurodegenerative diseases are one of the largest medical challenges of our time. Denali Therapeutics is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing br... more
  • 8 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Associate Scientist, Upstream Process Development jobs in the South San Francisco, CA area that may be a better fit.

  • CEDENT San Francisco, CA
  • Client is seeking an experienced and driven scientist/engineer to lead late-stage upstream cell culture process development activities for clinical and com... more
  • 24 Days Ago

  • Cellares South San Francisco, CA
  • Position Summary We are seeking an innovative and highly motivated Supervising Principal Scientist with expertise in cell therapy process development and p... more
  • 16 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!