Employment Opportunity

The Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing at the University of Iowa is excited to announce a search to hire a director-level Reliability and Maintenance leader. The successful hire will serve as a technical and managerial leader responsible for strategic planning, budget oversight, and contractor management. This hire will have an opportunity to manage the Center’s bioprocessing capital projects and infrastructure improvements for both GMP and non-GMP biomanufacturing.

Candidates from all sectors of biotechnology are encouraged to apply.

Welcome to CBB

The Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing (CBB) is a microbial biomanufacturing and research facility that bridges the gap between laboratory discovery and commercial-scale bioprocessing solutions. Located at the University of Iowa, CBB offers microbial fermentation, recombinant protein expression, and downstream protein purification services for a wide variety of clients, including international corporations and early-stage start-up companies. For clients interested in clinical applications, a cGMP suite is available to manufacture of proteins under the quality standards defined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration specifically for Phase 1 clinical trials.  

 

By combining the technical capabilities of a university-based pilot-scale CDMO with the expertise of affiliated faculty and researchers, the CBB serves as a trusted partner to biotech startups, vendors for the life science community, pharmaceutical companies, and academic innovators. Our facility supports innovation across multiple sectors, supporting the development and scale-up of protein-based therapeutics, specialty enzymes, reagent proteins, and other next-generation biologics. In addition, CBB plays a key role in bioprocessing workforce development through graduate training and NIH-funded biomanufacturing fellowships, thereby helping to shape the future of the biotech and life sciences industries.  

We Work with a Wide Range of Clients across the Biotech, Life Sciences, and Pharmaceutical Spaces

We welcome clients from diverse industry sectors, including biotech startups seeking scalable biomanufacturing, academic research laboratories advancing translational science, life science vendors supporting basic and applied research worldwide, as well as large multinational pharmaceutical manufacturers and government agencies involved in drug development and public health initiatives. Our services are accessible to clients regardless of geographic location, ensuring professional support for protein production, purification, and bioprocess development. 

How to Start a Service with CBB?

We’re here to support your project every step of the way. Getting started with the Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing (CBB) is simple. Clients can request services by completing our Client Request Form online. After submitting the form, a CBB representative will contact you within 2-3 business days to confirm your request and to schedule an initial consultation.  

 

During this initial consultation, your project requirements will be discussed in a non-confidential manner. CBB will then evaluate whether our facility can meet your specific needs. If so, a Confidential Disclosure Agreement (CDA) template will be provided for your consideration. In parallel, we will share a ballpark estimate of the costs for your project.  
 
Upon execution of the CDA, a more in-depth discussion will be used to provide a more accurate assessment of the costs for CBB’s bioprocessing services. Services can begin once a Master Service Agreement is in place and a Project Ordered is created specifically tailored toward your bioprocessing needs.  
 
Our team will be with you through every step to ensure a smooth and compliant bioprocessing experience.  

Bioprocessing Services

Fermentation, protein purification, & cGMP production for Phase-1 clinical trials

Academic Opportunities

Predoctoral Iowa Biotech Fellowship, CBB & NIH fellowships available

Annual Conference

The CBB hosts an annual conference focusing on innovations in the biocatalytic sciences.

"I worked for CBB since they first started with fermentation in their present location! I had previous experiences running 2000 liter fermenters at Solvay Animal Health. I really enjoyed watching the fermenters being delivered and set up. I worked closely with B. Braun company getting them up and running. The team came together over the next couple years. They have all become very experienced operators in the upstream and downstream processing! Everyone works well together and produces high quality product! I have since retired and miss my coworkers."

CBB Operator Working in the Lab

30 +

Years of Manufacturing Experience
CBB Operator Working in the Lab

265 +

Fellowships Awarded to Students
CBB Operator Working in the Lab

55 +

Associated UI Faculty

News

Maria Spies, Ph.D.

Saturday, November 15, 2025

Tyler J. Woodward

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Hossein Zare

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Reza Nejadnik

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Meet Some of Our Associated Faculty

Office of VP for Research Events

REDCap MyCap Training

Wednesday, October 14, 2026 10:00am to 11:00am
Virtual

This is the fifth step in the REDCap training series. In this training, we will discuss using the MyCap mobile app for data collection. We will cover features such as:

Creating participants

Creating tasks and schedules

Active tasks and their unique data output

Direct messages and announcements

This training is a demo and not hands-on. After this training, you will have a basic understanding of the MyCap mobile app for REDCap.

Register by clicking the virtual event link above or by going here:  https:/...

IRB Presentation, Part 2 — Secondary Research with Data and Biospecimens: Submitting an Exempt Category 4 Application

Wednesday, October 14, 2026 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Virtual
Navigating IRB Exempt Applications: A Researcher's Guide.

College of Medicine Events

 ACB Seminar Series - Joy James promotional image

ACB Seminar Series - Joy James

Wednesday, October 14, 2026 9:30am to 10:30am
Bowen Science Building

Joy James, a Cell and Developmental Biology Graduate Student in Sam Stephen's Lab will present a seminar titled "Proinflammatory Cytokines Induce Golgi Remodeling In Pancreatic Β-cells Beyond Inos-no Signaling."

REDCap MyCap Training

Wednesday, October 14, 2026 10:00am to 11:00am
Virtual

This is the fifth step in the REDCap training series. In this training, we will discuss using the MyCap mobile app for data collection. We will cover features such as:

Creating participants

Creating tasks and schedules

Active tasks and their unique data output

Direct messages and announcements

This training is a demo and not hands-on. After this training, you will have a basic understanding of the MyCap mobile app for REDCap.

Register by clicking the virtual event link above or by going here:  https:/...

College of Pharmacy Events

College of Pharmacy Osterhaus Medal for Lifetime Achievement Symposium, Alumni Awards, and Professorship/Chair Celebration promotional image

College of Pharmacy Osterhaus Medal for Lifetime Achievement Symposium, Alumni Awards, and Professorship/Chair Celebration

Thursday, October 29, 2026 4:00pm
College of Pharmacy Building

On Oct. 29, we will celebrate recipients of the following UI Pharmacy awards and honors:

Osterhaus Medal for Lifetime Achievement Award:
Terry Dahl, '83 PhD

Distinguished Alumni Award:
Laura Borgelt, '95 BSPh, PharmD, MBA
Lisa Gersema, '84 BSPh, '86 PharmD
Youlin Lin, '72 PhD
Randy McDonough, '87 BSPh, '97 MS, '00 PharmD

Honorary Alumni Award:
Jean Eisenbart, BS, MS

Genesis Alumni Award:
Christian Fernandez, '10 PhD
Wes Pilkington, '11 PharmD

Professorship Reappointment:
Korey Kennelty, PharmD, MS, PhD
Patri...

College of Pharmacy Homecoming Alumni, Family, and Friends Celebration promotional image

College of Pharmacy Homecoming Alumni, Family, and Friends Celebration

Friday, October 30, 2026 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Graduate by Hilton

Calling all College of Pharmacy alumni, faculty/staff, and friends! Please join us for a family-friendly event following the Homecoming parade as we celebrate all UI College of Pharmacy alumni.

2026 Honorary Classes: 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021
(Pre-registered alumni of these classes will receive a college-branded gift!)

Food will be served, and a cash bar available. Fun activities for the kids!

Cost: $15/adult, $8/children 6 - 12 years, FREE/children 5 and...