What does a process development associate do?
A process development associate conceptualizes, creates, and develops processes used in various research facilities and laboratories. The main focus is to obtain information on various experiments and develop processes that take advantage of those discoveries. The process development associate is typically hired by a laboratory or any research lab geared toward research and discovering new concepts and ideas to further the study. The process development associate is vital in fine-tuning actual processes existing in a company and creating new ones.
Process development associate responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real process development associate resumes:
- Lead the execution of protein extraction, quantification and identification from medicinal plants, germinating seeds and seedlings.
- Used virological plaque assays to determine viral titers of cell's harvest.
- Perform HPLC purification of individual bone growth factors including TGF- 1 and TGF- 2.
- Develop HPLC base assays to show clearance of purification additives from process buffer pools.
- Collaborate with the CRO on the development of a stem cell harvest procedure to maximize the product output.
- Revamp the existing HTML website and update content to be store on the database instead of hardcode into each page.
- Perform daily laboratory audit to ensure GMP environment and inventory optimization.
- Assist in developing SharePoint web pages for better usability and navigability.
- Collect offline/online data and adjust parameters according to experimental protocols in compliance with GMP.
- Optimize synthesis of multiple materials for industrial scale-up and implement procedures, testing methods and specifications for large scale production.
- Evaluate patient samples to identify biomarkers providing the development of asthma patient stratification methods.
Process development associate skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Process Development Associates are proficient in GMP, Data Analysis, and Statistical Analysis. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Problem-solving skills, and Analytical skills.
We break down the percentage of Process Development Associates that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- GMP, 8%
Collected offline/online data and adjusted parameters according to experimental protocols in compliance with GMP.
- Data Analysis, 6%
Prepared data analysis and reports, R&D briefings, and safety documentation.
- Statistical Analysis, 5%
Optimized purification process using DOE and statistical analysis with collaboration of project lead.
- Analytical Methods, 4%
Supported technology-transfer for analytical methods and manufacturing operations for new developed products.
- Troubleshoot, 4%
Clean, prep media, sterilize, assemble, inoculate, troubleshoot, harvest, terminate all tanks.
- HPLC, 4%
Performed HPLC purification of individual bone growth factors including TGF- 1 and TGF- 2.
"gmp," "data analysis," and "statistical analysis" are among the most common skills that process development associates use at work. You can find even more process development associate responsibilities below, including:
Creativity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a process development associate to have is creativity. Their role and responsibilities require that "chemical engineers explore new ways of applying engineering to invent new materials and advance manufacturing techniques in chemical engineering." Process development associates often use creativity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "performed daily laboratory audit to ensure gmp environment and inventory optimization. "
Problem-solving skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling process development associate duties is problem-solving skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "chemical engineers must be able to anticipate and identify problems, such as those related to manufacturing processes, and to devise solutions." According to a process development associate resume, here's how process development associates can utilize problem-solving skills in their job responsibilities: "investigated and resolved growth variation with various media lots/cell lines and presented study results. "
Analytical skills. process development associates are also known for analytical skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to process development associate responsibilities, because "chemical engineers must be able to evaluate designs and processes and to propose improvements, if necessary." A process development associate resume example shows how analytical skills is used in the workplace: "formulated script to automate data entry/data mining processes and increase efficiency"
Math skills. For certain process development associate responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "math skills." The day-to-day duties of a process development associate rely on this skill, as "chemical engineers use calculus and other advanced math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what process development associates do: "performed quantitative batch evaluation through small-scale cell lysis and hplc analysis. "
Communication skills. Lastly, "communication skills" is an important element of what a process development associate does. Process development associate responsibilities require this skill because "because chemical engineers frequently work on teams, they must be able to express themselves clearly in discussions and develop good relationships with colleagues." This resume example highlights how process development associate duties rely on this skill: "developed ado.net classes for the communication of sql server 2005. "
The three companies that hire the most process development associates are:
- Amgen12 process development associates jobs
- Regeneron9 process development associates jobs
- Sorrento Therapeutics
6 process development associates jobs
Compare different process development associates
Process development associate vs. Chemical engineer
A chemical engineer provides support for chemical operations and testing new processes. The processes they successfully come up with are used to make different products from gas, oil, food, and drink. It is their job to assist in designing new chemical processes and make improvements. They implement fresh ideas to improve standard quality and efficiency. They must be good planners and schedulers of project activities to help chemical technicians to achieve their project objectives and provide technical support to maintain safe, stable, and reliable operations.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, process development associate responsibilities require skills like "analytical methods," "hplc," "jmp," and "bioreactors." Meanwhile a typical chemical engineer has skills in areas such as "chemistry," "co-op," "chemical process," and "project management." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Chemical engineers really shine in the energy industry with an average salary of $97,766. Comparatively, process development associates tend to make the most money in the health care industry with an average salary of $76,431.On average, chemical engineers reach similar levels of education than process development associates. Chemical engineers are 1.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.8% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Process development associate vs. Chemical engineering internship
A chemical engineering internship involves a trainee who gains skills that range from scientific and problem-solving in the field of chemical engineering. Chemical engineering interns must assist in solving problems by applying the principles of chemicals, fuel, drugs, food, and many other products. They are required to collaborate with a team of engineers so that they can learn how to plan and execute technical production. Chemical engineering interns must also assist in troubleshooting problems concerning the manufacturing processes.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that process development associate responsibilities requires skills like "gmp," "analytical methods," "troubleshoot," and "jmp." But a chemical engineering internship might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "chemical engineering," "flow diagrams," "safety procedures," and "instrumentation diagrams."
In general, chemical engineering interns achieve similar levels of education than process development associates. They're 1.3% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for process development associates in the next 3-5 years?
Professor Susan Bergeson
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Process development associate vs. Chemical research engineer
A senior chemical engineer manufactures organic and inorganic chemicals. They also manage various products which include chemical works. For example, they may fabricate applications that require graphite, fiberglass, or thermoplastic materials. They may also oversee the manufacturing process of various chemical processes.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, process development associates are more likely to have skills like "statistical analysis," "troubleshoot," "bioreactors," and "process characterization." But a chemical research engineer is more likely to have skills like "chemical engineering," "synthesis," "chemical processes," and "labview."
Most chemical research engineers achieve a similar degree level compared to process development associates. For example, they're 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 8.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Process development associate vs. Senior chemical engineer
Types of process development associate
Updated January 8, 2025
