Staff Scientist - Upstream

Nektar has an exciting opportunity for a Staff Scientist - Upstream on the Process Engineering & Scale Up Biologics team.

The mission of a Staff Scientist Upstream is to develop robust, scalable, and high‑yield fermentation processes and ensure they can be successfully transferred into pilot‑ or GMP‑scale manufacturing environments. This includes leading fermentation strategy, advancing platform capabilities, mentoring junior staff, and driving scientific excellence.

• Lead development of microbial fermentation processes using hosts such as
  
  E. coli, Pichia pastoris, and Bacillus
• Design experiments to optimize media, induction strategies, feeding profiles, oxygen transfer, and fermentation modes (batch, fed‑batch, continuous)
• Characterize and control parameters including kLa, OUR, pH, temperature shifts, and carbon source utilization

• Develop and justify scale‑up criteria such as P/V, tip speed, and kLa for transfer to pilot or manufacturing bioreactors
• Prepare tech‑transfer packages, support engineering runs, and provide on‑site troubleshooting

• Implement Design of Experiments (DOE) to identify critical process parameters and acceptable operating ranges
• Conduct root‑cause investigations for fermentation performance issues like low titer or contamination
• Collaborate with strain engineering groups to evaluate expression systems, plasmid stability, secretion strategies, and induction systems
• Develop media and feeding strategies tailored to microbial hosts

• Author technical reports and regulatory‑supporting documents
• Present results and shape project strategy with data‑driven insights
• Mentor junior scientists and champion fermentation best practices and safety

A PhD in a scientific discipline is required. Equivalent experience may be accepted. A minimum of 10 years work experience in a research and/or development environment is required. Post‑doctoral work may serve as experience.

• 10 years of industry experience after PhD (or 12+ with MS) in microbial fermentation
• Expertise with hosts such as
  
  E. coli, Pichia, and Bacillus
• Deep understanding of oxygen transfer, mass/heat transfer, metabolic control, and scale‑up principles

Experience with bioreactor systems (1–200+ L) and analytical/control software like JMP or Design‑Expert

Nektar currently anticipates the base salary for the Staff Scientist, Upstream to range from $178,000 to $193,000 for candidates in the Bay Area and will depend, in part, on successful candidate's location and qualifications for the role, including education and experience. This position will also be eligible for an annual performance bonus in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan (depending, in part, on company and individual performance and at the Company's discretion on an individual basis.)

The compensation described above is subject to change and could be higher or lower than the range described based on the market survey data.

• Health Insurance (Medical/Dental/Vision)
• Disability Insurance
• Holiday Pay
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 401(k) Match
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Wellness Programs
Parental Leave Benefits (in accordance with the terms of applicable plans)

Qualifying employees are eligible to participate in benefit programs such as:

For general information on company benefits, please go to

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against applicants due to race, ethnicity, gender, veteran status, or on the basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. Nektar Therapeutics will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in the manner proscribed by the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.