Senior Scientist, Preclinical Development

Job Description

The Vaccine Process Development organization is seeking an innovative, highly motivated, and experienced scientist to join our research site in West Point, PA. The candidate will be responsible for conceiving, designing, and implementing experiments to advance the development of RNA-based vaccines and therapeutics specifically in the area of DNA template production.  This will require collaboration with cross-functional teams including colleagues in Discovery, Analytical, formulation, GMP Operations and Information Technology. The candidate should have a strong background in microbial, especially E. Coli, fermentation with familiarity with a variety of process scales and reactor platforms. The candidate will be expected to independently design, execute, and analyze experiments. 

The candidate must demonstrate well-developed skills for effective communication of scientific information and should have a strong history of publication in peer-reviewed journals. We value creative-thinking, teamwork, and independent analytical problem solving. If you are a highly motivated team player with a strong desire to impact process research and translational medicine, we invite you to consider joining our team.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Design and execution of experiments focused on E coli fermentation process optimization and plasmid DNA production.

• Scale up of bioreactor operations and tech transfer between lab and pilot environments.

• Mentoring the work of junior scientists in a laboratory setting. Providing technical guidance in the various aspects of process development.

• Collaboration with other team members on the evaluation of data and the optimization of unit operations.

• Interpretation and presentation of data for internal meetings and external communications (e.g. manuscript/patent preparation).

• Evaluation of innovative approaches to DNA production (e.g. alternative cell systems, cell-free platforms).

Required Skills and Experience

• Experience in microbial fermentation and/ or suspension cell culture at a variety of scales and utilizing several platforms (e.g. shake-flasks, bioreactors, high-throughput systems)

• Ability to understand and execute experiments independently in fulfillment of assigned program objectives.

• Experience in transformation, clonal isolation, media and feed development

• Demonstrated growth mindset with an ability to incorporate ingenuity and innovative concepts into process development work.

• Ability to make appropriate decisions in a manner that meets quality and timeline expectations.

• Well-developed organizational, record-keeping, and problem-solving skills.

• Demonstrated ability to build strong networks and partnerships and understand the needs of a variety of stakeholders.

• Ability to work in a collaborative team environment with an emphasis on sharing of knowledge and coaching and development of other team members.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Experience with the production of plasmid DNA (and other DNA forms) for use as templates for RNA technology. 

• Hands-on experience with Eppendorf Bioflo 320and Sartorius ambr250 reactor systems

• Experience any of the following applications:  DeltaV, PI, Spotfire, Seeq, Biocommand, MS Power Platform (Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate) and/ or Python.

• Comfort with planning lab activities and directing the work of a team of scientists in a way which complies with company expectations of data integrity and safety.

Education Minimum Requirement:

• BS in Chemical Engineering or Biological Sciences or related discipline with at least 6 years’ of industrial experience or hands-on, laboratory work in the field of bioprocess and nucleic acid development or

• MS in Chemical Engineering or Biological Sciences or related discipline with at least 3 years’ of industrial experience or hands-on, laboratory work in the field of bioprocess and nucleic acid development or

• PhD in Chemical Engineering or Biological Sciences or related discipline with at least 1 year of industrial experience or hands-on, laboratory work in the field of bioprocess and nucleic acid development.

NOTICE FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS

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