Production Associate

Seeking a Production Associate to join our team! Ceres Nanosciences Inc. is a privately held company, located in Northern Virginia, focused on incorporating its proprietary Nanotrap® Particle technology into a range of diagnostic and research use products and workflows. Nanotrap Particles capture, concentrate, and preserve low abundance analytes from biological samples, enabling early and accurate detection of diseases. We take pride in fostering a collaborative, high-integrity workplace where every team member directly contributes to advancing global health and disease surveillance. Production Associate Department: Manufacturing Reports To: Director of Manufacturing Location: On-site (Laboratory Facility) Employment Type: Full-Time Role Description: Ceres Nanosciences is expanding its operations team to meet growing demand for advanced diagnostic sample preparation technologies. As a Production Associate, you will be a vital contributor to the daily manufacturing of our proprietary Nanotrap® magnetic particles, advanced polymers, and aqueous reagent formulations. This hands-on role is ideal for an organized, detail-oriented individual eager to develop technical expertise in life-sciences manufacturing. At Ceres, we actively invest in our team members. This role is designed with clear pathways for professional development and upward mobility into senior manufacturing, process development, or quality roles as your capabilities grow. In a fast-paced, collaborative environment, the Production Associate will: Materials Formulation: Safely execute formulation, buffer preparation, and chemical processing workflows for polymer-based nanomaterials and aqueous solutions. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Rigorously adhere to validated SOPs, standard batch records (SBRs), and work instructions to ensure consistent product purity, yield, and performance. Equipment Operation: Operate, calibrate, and maintain laboratory and production instrumentation (e.g., reaction control units, pH meters, balances, centrifuges, and filtration systems). Quality Assurance & Documentation: Maintain accurate, real-time documentation in compliance with Good Documentation Practices (GDP) and ISO 9001:2015 quality management standards. Batch & Materials Management: Monitor raw material inventory, verify lot numbers, track batch yields, and assist in staging supplies for scheduled production runs. Continuous Improvement: Partner with Quality Control (QC) and Process Engineering to identify workflow optimizations, reduce cycle times, and support root-cause investigations or deviation reports when needed. Safety & Compliance: Maintain a clean, organized, and compliant workspace in alignment with Chemical Hygiene Plans, EHS regulations, and standard PPE protocols. Required credentials: Education and Experience: Associate degree with 1–2+ years of hands-on laboratory, chemical handling, or regulated manufacturing experience; OR a B.S. in Chemistry, Biology, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field. Technical Skills: Basic familiarity with laboratory math (molarity, dilutions, metric conversions) and safe chemical handling practices. Experience with equipment such as laboratory balances, micropipettes, and analytical glassware. Quality and Compliance: Strong documentation skills and adherence to quality and regulatory standards. Interpersonal Skills: Competent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable collaborating with cross-functional teams. Job Type: Full-time Benefits: Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance Work Location: In person

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