Sr/Principal Scientist - Upstream Process Development

JOB SUMMARY

The Sr./Principal Scientist, Upstream Process Development will be part of the Process Development Group reporting to the Director of Process Development. The role will have direct management responsibility for a team of Scientists and Research Associates. The Sr/Principal Scientist 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 a client-facing position with regular interaction with our partners including external presentations, driving the technical discussion and program strategy.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• 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

EDUCATION / CERTIFICATIONS / LICENSES	Essential/Desired
MSc with 8+ years of relevant work experience in Bioprocess Engineering/ Life Science Biotechnology/Biochemistry/ Protein Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related disciplines	Essential
PhD with 6+ years of relevant work experience in Bioprocess Engineering/ Life Science Biotechnology/Biochemistry/ Protein Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related disciplines	Desired
ON-THE-JOB EXPERIENCE
Process Development and Cell Line Development Experience	Essential
Upstream Processing Experience with Cell Culture, Bioreactor Technologies, and Transfection/Infection approaches	Essential
Prior work experience at a CDMO	Desired
SKILLS / ABILITIES
Hands-on experience on complex biologics, e.g. gene therapy, viral vaccines, therapeutic proteins	Essential
Experience with technology transfer and GMP manufacturing technical support	Essential
Experience with EMA/FDA regulations, ICH guidelines, GMP and quality systems	Essential
Effective communicator with track record of presenting data to relevant stakeholders including external stakeholders	Essential
Experience with DoE design and statistical analysis on large data sets	Essential
Excellent scientific writing skills demonstrated by publications and reports	Essential
Experience with direct management of Scientists and Research Associates including day-to-day oversight and direction and career development and coaching.	Essential

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

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

Work Environment

• Regularly sit for long periods of time

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 pounds
• Rarely 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