Associate Principal Scientist, Preclinical Development

Job Description

The Continuous & Expression Technologies (CET) Group, within the Process Research & Development Enabling Technologies department, is seeking motivated and creative individuals. This is an opportunity to positively impact our company’s manufacturing platforms, while actively supporting drug development in the biologics and vaccine arenas. Specifically, CET is seeking an Associate Principal Scientist specializing in perfusion cell culture and bioprocessing intensification technologies for multiple therapeutic classes.

Our Scientists are our Inventors. As a member of the CET Group, you will drive scientific innovation and critically evaluate opportunities to implement enabling technologies. We are seeking a collaborative, self-directed learner with a penchant for problem-solving and expertise in upstream bioprocessing to join the CET group. Our group is tasked with identifying, developing, and deploying continuous manufacturing tools aimed at improving production processes in our company's drug candidate pipeline. Knowledge of cell culture processes, cell physiology and metabolic activity for process engineering, strategies for process intensification, and process analytical technologies (PAT) are valued skills within the group. A high level of innovation, creativity, and initiative along with the ability drive technically sound experiments are critical. The chosen candidate should also have excellent interpersonal, communication and collaboration skills and exhibit a strength in delivering results on firm deadlines. We actively publish and engage with the scientific community to influence the field.

As an Associate Principal Scientist, you will have the opportunity to influence the future direction of our company's upstream processing, encompassing biologics and vaccines. You will work with an immensely creative and collaborative team of scientists and engineers to design upstream, cell-culture processes while developing technical strategies related to upstream continuous processing and recombinant expression of drug candidates. As upstream lead scientist in the group, you will mentor and coach junior upstream scientists.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• As an impactful contributor, shape and realize innovation across biologics’ and vaccines’ pipeline, strategy, and science
• Advance best science incorporation into pipeline by collaborating with cross-functional teams, from Research & Manufacturing, in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment
• Lead development of robust and scalable technologies for upstream processes
• Identify areas for upstream process innovation/intensification and expand our technologies toolbox to address challenges at different stages of development (clinical, process characterization and commercialization)
• Advance upstream processes by improving efficiency and cost effectiveness through research and innovation, while assessing technologies and industry best practices
• Collaborate with academia, industry, and vendors to drive development and early adoption of novel process technologies
• Contribute to strategic initiatives; partner with senior leaders to set overall project strategy, and guide teams towards its execution
• Conceptualize, plan, and execute projects with effective organizational, prioritization and problem-solving skills
• Stay abreast of scientific and regulatory landscape; actively present (premier conferences), publish (peer-reviewed journals) and patent
• Represent CMT group as an upstream, cell-culture expert in internal, cross-functional project teams and external conferences/consortia
• Mentor and actively share expertise; guide career development; build strong, collaborative teams
• Champion compliance and safety; promote a culture of diversity, inclusion, and equity

MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: 

• Ph.D. with 3+ years, MS with 5+ years, or BS with 8+ years of industry experience and background in Chemical/Biochemical engineering, or a related field

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, AND COMPETENCIES

• Strong fundamental knowledge and subject matter expertise in mammalian cell-culture process development
• Expertise CHO perfusion cell culture, bioreactors across scales, as well as recent advances, and challenges in the field
• Experience in continuous biomanufacturing and high-throughput microbioreactors
• Expertise in independently conducting and directing the design, execution, analysis, and documentation of all stages of cell-culture process development
• Track record of accomplishments in upstream bioprocessing with a history of peer-reviewed publications and presentations
• Adaptability and agility to prioritize and deliver