Senior Scientist, Molecular Discovery

Job Description

We are on a quest for cures and are committed to be the world’s premier, most research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. Today, we’re doubling down on this goal to take our Company’s leading discovery capabilities and world-class small molecule and biologics R&D expertise to create breakthrough science that radically changes the way we approach serious diseases.

The Discovery Biologics Department is seeking a Senior Scientist to join the Cell Sciences team that leverages cell engineering and innovative bioassays to drive design and progression of biotherapeutics. Cell engineering is integral to Discovery Biologics and enables antibody discovery, functional characterization, and development of pipeline molecules. The Senior Scientist, Cell Engineering will execute comprehensive cell engineering activities to support hits and leads discovery of large molecules across global Discovery Biologics sites. The successful candidate will possess a broad and significant technical background in cell and molecular biology as well as can critically interpret results and provide feedback for experimental/procedural improvement. This role will be based in South San Francisco and will work collaboratively with scientists and teams across our Company's research sites.

We recognize that the diversity in our team is our strength and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Successful candidates must demonstrate inclusive behaviors in working with a diverse group of scientists to drive our core mission.

Key Responsibilities:

• Production level support for stable and transient cell line engineering workflow across the span of the Discovery Biologics organization and key partners within our Company networks.

• Execute laboratory tasks to engineer cell lines through overexpression, knockout and introducing innovative reporter modules that help inform biophysical and functional readouts.

• Propose, evaluate and implement new approaches to strengthen platform capability.

• Collaborate in gene synthesis and vector design to reach desired expression profile.

• Provide small-scale lentiviral packaging support for key stakeholders in the Discovery Biologics organization.

• Characterize engineered cell lines through flow cytometry, Western blot, q-RT-PCR, genomic sequence analysis and reporter assays.

• Onboard, optimize, maintain and prepare quality cell stocks for bridging with the centralized banking system.

• Manage workflows and progress from collaborators and external CROs.

• Keep documentation and track records of generated cell lines.

• Participate and present in project meetings as a functional representative.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor's (with 7+ years), Master's (with 4+ years) or Ph.D. in a scientific discipline or relate field and relevant professional experience listed below.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Extensive experience with mammalian cell culture and gene delivery methods through transfection, nucleofection and lentiviral transduction.

• Deep knowledge and experience with mammalian cell engineering and generation of cell lines and clones to enable functional assays and mechanism of action studies.

• Familiar with molecular cloning and key considerations for creating desired gene expression profile.

• Familiar with software for curation and analysis of vector/gene sequences. 

• Significant experience on cell line characterization with methods such as flow cytometry, Western blots, q-RT-PCR, genomic sequence analysis and reporter assays.

• Detail-oriented, highly organized, and able to multi-task with efficiency in paralleled projects under given timelines.

• An open-minded team player who can swiftly adapt to organizational priorities as well as strives for high quality interactions among collaborations.

• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Cell sorting and clone isolation experience.

• Working knowledge of early drug discovery process (emphasis on biologics preferred).

• Experience of functional assays in drug screening.

• CRISPR-mediated approaches for knockout and knocking.

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