Sr. Scientist - Upstream Process Development

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Scientist Upstream Process Development will be part of the Process Development Group reporting to the Director of Process Development. The Sr. Scientist Engineer is responsible for the Upstream Process development, characterization, technology transfer and GMP manufacturing technical support. This individual will lead or contribute as a core member of various cross-functional teams, and interact extensively with other departments within Genezen, including Analytical Development, Manufacturing, Engineering, and MSAT. This is also a client-facing position with regular interaction and external presentations.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Provides technical oversight and strategic input for upstream viral vector drug substance development activities
• Leads, proposes, manages, and coordinates activities on platform improvement/continuous projects in USP labs
• Leads, manages, and supports late-stage development, by identifying tasks, planning, monitoring progress of deliverables, and in terms of protocol and report generation in areas such as scale-down model qualification, process characterization, and scale-down model process validation studies
• Leads and supports technology transfer activities at pilot plant and when necessary, preforms experiments him/herself, focusing scale-up platform process at scale and process improvements implementation, process characterization at scale and bills of materials as well as sampling plans.
• Provides MSAT and manufacturing technical Upstream SME support for process troubleshooting, manufacturing data analysis, root cause analysis, and deviations during GMP production, change controls, CAPAs, CCRs and other Quality Systems documentation as needed.
• Designs and outlines experimental plans to meet the defined Genezen and client objective. Analyses and reviews experimental results and data. Performs, optimizes, and maintains linear scale-down models. Writes, reviews, and approves electronic lab notebooks (ELNs) entries, experimental protocols, development reports, process descriptions, and scientific reports
• Presents project progress and results internally to cross-functional teams and externally to clients/stakeholders
• Maintains robust communication with all relevant functions that have an impact on or are impacted by Upstream Process Development
• Coordinates and supervises the activities in the USP labs (with a team of engineers/ (Jr.) bioprocess technologist, co-op students, interns, temporary personnel (contractors), and technical SMEs and when necessary, performs experiments him/herself. Guides junior USP team members by setting goals/tasks on projects.

SPECIAL JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Adaptability required as work schedule may change based on business needs
• Criminal background check required
• Other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to meet the following physical demands:

Work Environment

• Frequently required to work in a BSL 2 environment with personal protective equipment/aseptic gowning
• Regularly required to work around large machinery and typical utilities seen in pharmaceutical facilities
• Occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; toxic or caustic chemicals; hazardous waste; and risk of electrical shock
• Occasionally exposed to extremely loud noise levels
• Spending time on the floor during activity execution (maintenance, construction, commissioning and qualification) is required

Movement

•  Frequently required to stand; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms
• Occasionally required to walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl

Lifting

• Frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pound
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds

Vision

• Frequently utilize close vision and the ability to adjust focus

Communication

• Frequently required to communicate by talking, hearing, using telephone and e-mail