Scientist, Bioanalytical Sciences

About Voyager

Voyager Therapeutics (Nasdaq: VYGR) is a biotechnology company dedicated to breaking through barriers in gene therapy and neurology. The potential of both disciplines has been constrained by delivery challenges; Voyager is leveraging innovative expertise in capsid discovery and deep neuropharmacology capabilities to address these constraints. Voyager’s TRACER AAV capsid discovery platform has generated novel capsids with high target delivery and blood-brain barrier penetration at low doses, potentially addressing the narrow therapeutic window associated with conventional gene therapy delivery vectors. This platform is fueling alliances with Pfizer Inc., Novartis and Neurocrine Biosciences as well as multiple programs in Voyager’s own pipeline. Voyager’s pipeline includes preclinical programs in Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), each with validated targets and biomarkers to enable a path to rapid potential proof-of-biology. For more information, visit www.voyagertherapeutics.com

Job Summary:

Voyager Therapeutics is growing!  As part of our ongoing expansion, we are seeking an initiative-taking and experienced Scientist to join our Bioanalytical Sciences team at our facility in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This is an ideal position for an individual with a desire to innovate and with a strong background in the development of bioanalytical assays relevant to AAV Gene Therapy and Therapeutic Antibodies. This is a hands-on bench level position with an opportunity to interact with Voyager scientists in a cross-functional environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, optimize, and execute molecular and biochemical assays to assess distribution, expression, and pharmacodynamic effects of AAV gene therapy candidates in samples from preclinical pharmacology studies in support of multiple development and platform programs.
• Develop, optimize, and execute cell-based assays utilizing primary, stable, or transformed cells.
• Participate in analysis of serum samples for the measurement of anti-AAV TAb and NAb levels.
• Identify and collect CNS tissue structures at the gross anatomical level for subsequent molecular analyses.
• Identify, evaluate, and integrate cutting edge tools and novel bioanalytical methods.
• Independently analyze and interpret data, and present in various team formats.
• Integrate and collaborate with internal research teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Use best practices in the development of standardized procedures, automation systems, and statistically based bioanalytical data analysis.
• Lead and / or actively participate in the development of macros based on Excel, GraphPad Prism, and other such software packages.
• Transfer bioanalytical methods to CRO labs and monitor method validation and GLP / GCP sample analyses in those labs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Molecular / Cellular Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, or a similar field with 5+ years of relevant firsthand experience or PhD with 0-2 years of industry experience
• Must have deep expertise and extensive experience in diverse molecular assay platforms including, but not limited to, RT-qPCR, ddPCR, bDNA, DNA and RNA isolation, various ELISA formats (traditional, MSD, AlphaLisa, Simoa), functional activity assays, Western blot.
• Experience in development of cell-based assays and superior cell culture skills
• Independently motivated, meticulous scientist with excellent critical thinking and problem- solving skills.
• Excellent people skills including written and verbal communication.
• Ability to be highly productive in a collaborative and matrixed team environment.
• Must be organized and able to contribute to multiple parallel workstreams.
• Proficiency with Excel, SoftMax Pro, GraphPad Prism, JMP, etc.

Preferred Experiences

• Experienced in viral gene therapy bioanalytic techniques.
• Knowledge of neuroanatomy
• Experience in GLP and GCP as applicable to bioanalysis
• Thorough understanding of bioanalytical best practices and relevant regulatory guidance documents
• Understanding of statistical principles as applicable in bioanalytical data analysis
• Firsthand experience in Ligand Binding Assays (LBA)
• Experience in NGS, including RNA-seq