About Kamau Therapeutics, Inc.

Kamau Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotech founded by a deeply collaborative team of hematologist-oncologists and engineers. We are pioneering a precision homology-directed repair (HDR) gene editing platform to create definitive autologous hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) therapies. Our mission begins with our lead program: a first- and best-in-class curative treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD). This program now serves as our powerful proof point, establishing a core competence in site-specific genome editing of HSCs. We are next leveraging this mastery to engineer myeloid and lymphoid lineages, fueling a growing pipeline of next-generation therapies for cancer immunotherapy, autoimmune disease, and neurodegeneration. We operate with a high-impact, collaborative spirit, focused on redefining the speed and reach of therapeutic development.

Role Summary

Kamau Therapeutics is seeking a motivated Process Development Scientist to join our growing team. Our operating principle is that Kamau owns analytics, process knowledge, and quality decisions, and our CDMO makes the product. The successful candidate is a hands-on contributor responsible for supporting the design, development, and optimization of cell culture processes for early- and late-stage clinical programs. Working under the guidance of the Director and alongside senior team members and external CDMO partners, you will help translate scientific strategy into scalable manufacturing solutions.

This is a ‘roll-up-your-sleeves’ role for a builder who thrives in a fast-paced, unstructured, and highly collaborative startup environment. The ideal candidate approaches work with curiosity, humility, and a growth mindset, taking initiative, adapting with purpose, and contributing across levels with a shared commitment to learning and progress. At Kamau, we’re building a mission-driven culture where scientific rigor, creativity, and collaboration power both personal and company growth. We act with intention, value learning as much as results, and work together to advance our mission of delivering meaningful impact to patients.

Key Responsibilities

• Support continuous process improvement activities for hematopoietic stem cell processes, including expansion, gene editing/transduction, and cryopreservation workflows. Contribute to commercial readiness strategies, with a focus on closed system implementation to enhance reproducibility and efficiency.
• Lead PPQ-level process characterization, including DOE-based definition of critical process parameter ranges. Assist with tech transfer activities and method qualification at external CRO/CDMO partners under the direction of senior staff.
• Contribute to CMC documentation for regulatory submissions and IND-supporting studies.
• Support procurement and inventory management of critical raw materials and reagents to ensure compliant, traceable, and uninterrupted supply for CMC process development and clinical manufacturing activities.
• Assist in development, qualification, and transfer of analytical assays (e.g., viability, potency, editing/transduction efficiency, flow cytometry, differentiation).
• Analyze and interpret experimental data; maintain accurate lab documentation; prepare technical reports and presentations.
• Assist with laboratory management, including supplies, equipment upkeep, and workflow optimization.
• Maintain lab organization, inventory, and waste management to support efficient day-to-day operations.
• Support the PD/CMC function on cross-functional teams with Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Clinical and Translational teams to ensure alignment and data integration.
• Maintain compliance with laboratory safety, quality standards, and company SOPs.

Required Qualifications

• BS with 5+ years of hands-on experience in process development, analytical development, or CMC within cell/gene therapy; equivalent advanced academic experience with direct industry exposure will also be considered.
• Working knowledge of mammalian cell culture, including serum-free, cytokine-supplemented culture of primary or suspension cells.
• Hands-on experience across ex vivo cell processing unit operations: thaw, wash and concentration, culture, harvest, formulation, and cryopreservation.
• Strong aseptic technique, with experience working in a biosafety cabinet and/or closed-system processing environment.
• Familiarity with analytical techniques such as flow cytometry, viability/potency assays, colony-forming unit (CFU) assays, PCR/qPCR, or biochemical assays, and automated cell counting.
• Working knowledge of GMP principles, good documentation practice, and data integrity expectations.
• Experience with data analysis software (e.g., JMP, FlowJo) and electronic lab notebooks.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to track projects, coordinate with partners, and generate high-quality documentation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with primary cells or hematopoietic stem cells, including immunomagnetic cell selection.
• Hands-on experience with electroporation-based intracellular delivery and/or viral vector transduction.
• Experience with cryopreservation, controlled-rate freezing, and cryogenic handling and storage.
• Experience designing or executing DOE-based process characterization to define parameter ranges.
• Exposure to process validation, PPQ, or comparability studies.
• Exposure to technology transfer to CRO/CDMO partners, including support for batch record authoring or review.
• Familiarity with scaled-up and closed cell processing equipment such as LOVO, CliniMACS Plus, and Rotea.

The Right Candidate Will

• Be a high-agency, ‘do-what-it-takes’ contributor. You don’t wait for instructions; you are fearless and relentless to identify the critical path, flag risks, and build solutions.
• Thrive in ambiguity. You can create structure and clear deliverables from broad, complex, and sometimes ambiguous scientific goals.
• Be relentlessly output-focused. You are driven by delivering a robust, scalable process, not by ‘doing tasks or process’ for its own sake.
• Be a fluid and pragmatic collaborator. You understand that in a small company, titles are secondary to the mission. You are eager to contribute across functions and levels.

Compensation

The base salary range for this role is $115,000–$165,000 annually.

Actual compensation will depend on qualifications, experience, and internal equity. This position is also eligible for an annual target bonus and equity in the form of stock options.

In addition to base salary and equity, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards program including health, dental, and vision coverage, retirement benefits, and paid time off.

Work Requirements

The role is based in South San Francisco and/or Redwood Shores, CA. It requires five days per week onsite and may involve travel within the US to CDMOs to support project demands. This role is performed in a laboratory environment and requires the ability to perform detailed bench work, gown and work in controlled environments with required personal protective equipment, handle cryogenic materials with appropriate protection, sit or stand for extended periods, and occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kamau Therapeutics is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law, and we are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities.

Additional Information

Employment is contingent on a background check conducted only after a conditional offer. Consistent with the California Fair Chance Act, we consider qualified applicants with criminal histories and conduct an individualized assessment of any conviction history. Kamau Therapeutics participates in E-Verify. See our Applicant Privacy Notice.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or qualifications associated with the role.

Recruiter Policy

Kamau does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Services Agreement, Kamau will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee.

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