Senior Research Associate, Downstream Process Development

POSITION SUMMARY

This Senior Research Associate role will support the product and process development (PPD) team with process development, characterization and scale up. This position will focus primarily on downstream purification with a focus on planning and execution of experiments. This will require cross-functional collaboration with groups such as the upstream product and process development team, the analytical development team (AD) and manufacturing sciences and technology (MSAT) teams to plan, execute, scale up and transfer new and optimized processes. A successful candidate should have a solid understanding of purification techniques such as chromatography, tangential flow filtration (TFF) and sterile filtration.CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES 

Specific responsibilities include:  

• Execute experiments for developing optimized and novel purification operations including depth filtration, chromatography, TFF, and sterile filtration
• Perform buffer/solution preparation while assuring proper labeling, handling, storage, and disposal of all chemicals and solutions
• Utilize knowledge of purification fundamentals to troubleshoot unexpected results and events
• Plan and coordinate execution of experiments in collaboration with the larger PPD, AD, and MSAT teams
• Identify opportunities for process and laboratory execution improvements
• Maintain familiarity with current scientific literature, maintain and update knowledge of current and new purification techniques and instrumentation
• Support experimental design, execution, analysis, interpretation and presentation to multiple levels within the organization
• Provide input to Process Development strategy and life-cycle management plans
• Occasional support for other related team including Upstream PPD and MSAT

The successful candidate will have:

• BS/MS in biology, biochemistry, bioengineering or other relevant field with 3+ years of relevant experience; equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
• Expertise in operating lab-scale chromatography systems, TFF systems, and other auxiliary equipment such as balances, pumps, and pH/conductivity meters
• Experience with experimental design, planning, execution, and basic data analysis
• Experience working in GxP environments
• Experience working with electronic notebooks
• Strong team communication and collaboration skills

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Experience with ÄKTATM Chromatography systems and UNICORNTM software
• Experience with TFF and other filtration equipment including the KrosFlo® KR2i RPMTM and Ambr® Crossflow systems
• Experience with chromatography, TFF, sterile filtration and other purification operations
• Familiarity with upstream process operations including shake flasks and small-scale bioreactors
• Familiarity with analytical methods including ELISAs, qPCR, ddPCR, etc.
• Experience in clinical phase process development
• Technical transfer experience, scale up/down and site transfers

Physical Requirements:  

• Ability to work onsite 5 days a week
• Requires ability to perform standard stem cell/viral/biological wet lab work with appropriate PPE

Salary Range: $82,500 - $100,000