Scientist, UEC Process Development

This position within the UEC Process Development team will involve substantial amount of hands-on cell culture work, essentially, human CAR-T cell generation and in vitro expansion, scale up, and characterize culture processes. The position will require to perform gene editing activities and human primary cells manipulation.

As a Scientist, you will independently design, implement, analyze, and document early and late-stage process development studies. You will collaborate within the team to interpret study results and contribute to technical discussions for subsequent study design and decision making. You will also contribute to tech transfer activities including batch record and SOP development, real-time troubleshooting, investigation, and impact assessment of deviations, change control management, process monitoring and data analysis, and risk assessments. Additionally, you will author and contribute to development reports, scientific publications, patents, and regulatory filings in different countries and regions.

Required Skills

• Experience with human primary cell culture (CAR-T cell culture experience highly preferred) and cell expansion.
• Familiar with process development for cell therapies, including scale-up and cell characterization (flow cytometry, PCR, etc.).
• Experience engineering CAR-T cells. Hands-on experience with genome editing tools and DNA/RNA transfection approaches.
• Familiar with the fundamentals of DOE.
• Strong background in experimental design and data analysis skills are essential.
• Ability to think critically, analytically and have demonstrated troubleshooting and problem-solving skills based on deductive reasoning.
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills including proven technical writing skills are required. Position may require weekend work.

Desired Skills:

• Knowledge about immunology and GMP manufacturing is highly desirable.
• Experience with cell editing technologies: CRISPR/Cas9, gene editing, etc.
• Experience with viral transduction techniques desirable.
• Scientific rigor in assessing own data and that of others. Utilizes forward-looking perspective to contribute to “go/no go” decisions.

Education/Experience:

• BS degree in Biochemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, or related field with 2-5 years or MS degree with a minimum of 2 years of relevant proven experience.

#LI-onsite #CellTherapy

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $78,388 to $117,582. However, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to partticipate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors. 

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.