Tangential Flow Specialist

The specialist configures flat sheet cassette holders and hollow fiber cartridge skids, selecting tailored membrane chemistries including regenerated cellulose and polyethersulfone PES across molecular weight cut offs MWCO ranging from three kilodaltons to seven hundred and fifty kilodaltons. Following strict cGMP standards and FDA validation guides, the specialist calculates and controls transmembrane pressure TMP, cross flow shear rates, and flux excursions, ensuring that viscous protein concentrates reach high target concentrations exceeding one hundred and fifty milligrams per milliliter for subcutaneous injectable formulations.

While supervisory computer systems automate buffer addition valves and peristaltic pump speeds, tangential flow filtration requires deep physical understanding of boundary layer concentration polarization and gel layer formation. High protein concentrations cause dramatic viscosity increases and hydraulic resistance changes along membrane channels. The specialist performs normalized water permeability NWP baseline testing, evaluates cleaning in place CIP caustic flux recovery, detects micro pinhole integrity failures using air diffusion tests, and ensures formulation buffer exchange proceeds smoothly through continuous constant volume diafiltration.

The morning begins in the formulation cleanroom suite by assembling a five cassette tangential flow filtration stack into the stainless steel holder. The specialist uses a calibrated torque wrench to tighten the tie rods evenly in cross pattern sequence, verifying that the silicone gaskets seal properly without crimping. They flush the system with water for injection WFI, measure baseline normalized water permeability, and run an automated air diffusion integrity test to confirm membrane cut off retention. By late morning, thirty liters of purified monoclonal antibody eluate are loaded into the feed recirculation tank. The specialist adjusts the retentate control valve to hold transmembrane pressure at one point five bar, monitoring permeate flux as the protein concentrates ten fold. In the afternoon, they introduce the histidine formulation buffer for six constant volume diavolumes, verify osmolality and UV absorbance, drain the purified bulk drug substance into sterile bio containers, and initiate a hot sodium hydroxide sanitization cycle.

In the afternoon, you execute core deliverables, consult with cross functional colleagues, document operational outcomes, and ensure that all equipment and handover notes are fully updated before completing the shift.

A Tangential Flow Filtration and Ultrafiltration Bioprocess Specialist designs, executes, validates, and troubleshoots cross flow filtration, ultrafiltration, and diafiltration unit operations to concentrate, desalt, and formulate therapeutic proteins, vaccines, and viral vectors. Operating within biopharmaceutical downstream purification suites and process development laboratories, the specialist purifies delicate biomolecules while preventing shear induced protein denaturation, membrane fouling, and product loss.

Core responsibilities include operate semi automated and fully automated tangential flow filtration skids for protein concentration and diafiltration., operational coordination, and ensuring strict adherence to Kenyan statutory frameworks and quality standards.

Key organizations hiring for this role include Kenya Medical Research Institute KEMRI, Dawa Life Sciences, Cosmos Pharmaceuticals Limited, Bio Foods Kenya, alongside expanding opportunities in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and regional infrastructure projects.

Tangential Flow Specialist Specialist, Senior Tangential Flow Specialist, Tangential Flow Specialist Lead, Tangential Flow Specialist Consultant

While supervisory computer systems automate buffer addition valves and peristaltic pump speeds, tangential flow filtration requires deep physical understanding of boundary layer concentration polarization and gel layer formation. High protein concentrations cause dramatic viscosity increases and hydraulic resistance changes along membrane channels. The specialist performs normalized water permeability NWP baseline testing, evaluates cleaning in place CIP caustic flux recovery, detects micro pinhole integrity failures using air diffusion tests, and ensures formulation buffer exchange proceeds smoothly through continuous constant volume diafiltration. Employment opportunities concentrate across major industrial, commercial, and financial hubs including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret, alongside specialized regional project sites.