Expert/Senior Expert Science & Technology - Molecular Biology

Job Description Summary

As a key member of the Analytical Development team, this individual will support developmental activities to aid in delivering gene therapy to patients. The successful candidate will support technical and development projects designed to characterize gene therapy products through an assortment of analytical methods. This role will also contribute to cross-functional activities including monitoring and characterizing of processes and products to identify opportunities for continuous improvement. Growth mentality and passion to serve patients, his/her technical team and development programs is a must.

 

Job Description

Major accountabilities:

• • Contribute to all project/network strategy and drive the implementation; apply scientific/technical/ GMP and/or quality-related expertise to address complex R&D issues within a multifunctional project team. 

  • Coach team members and contribute to global technical strategies and goals; maintain and qualify equipment/infrastructure and manage operational aspects in lab as assigned. 

  • Design, plan, perform, interpret and report scientific experiments or GMP testing or pilot plant processes for the preparation and timely delivery of drug substances (DS), drug products (DP), processes or procedures. 

  • Design, plan, and perform product characterization studies using molecular assays (i.e. NGS, qPCR, ddPCR and/or other molecular assay platforms) for DNA characteristics such as genomic integrity and residual packaged impurity DNA, for the characterization and lot release/stability monitoring of gene therapy products.   

  • Identify, develop, validate and implement novel analytical assays and new GMP-compliant methodologies for pipeline gene therapy products  

  • Drive project timelines and deliverables while meeting internal quality and data integrity requirements  

  • Implement resolution to technical challenges, communicate effectively and present complex data within the department and cross-functionally  

  • Participates in activities such as RNA isolation, cDNA library construction, library amplification, genomic DNA isolation, polymerase chain reaction, and other standard molecular biology techniques.   

  • Author and/or review method development reports, SOPs, validation reports and technical documents for regulatory filings  

  • Actively contribute to analytical development for clinical and commercial manufacturing and assist in advancing science-driven and innovative methodologies  

  • Independently identify new scientific technologies and instrumentation with the potential to improve development workflows. Actively keep ahead of the latest advances in analytical technologies for cell and gene therapy  

  • Work according to appropriate GMP/GLP regulations and Novartis SOPs/Guidelines and Code of Conduct.   

  • Other related job duties as assigned.  

  Requirements:

  The level of the role is commensurate to experience/education. Senior Expert level:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Immunology or related scientific discipline with > 4 years of prior experience in industry required. BS with > 5 years, MS with > 4 years and Ph.D. with > 3 years experience preferred   

  • Established experience with analytical metho