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Expired
  • Location: Oxford
  • Salary: Competitive Salary with Benefits and Bonus Package
  • Job Type:Permanent

Posted about 2 years ago

  • Sector: Scientific Development
  • Contact: Lewis Freeston
  • Contact Email: lewis.freeston@nextphaserecruitment.com
  • Contact Phone: 01403 216216
  • Start Date: 2022-01-20
  • Job Ref: V-47177

Do you want to join a company whose reputation has grown and grown with expertise in thecell and gene therapy field? An exciting opportunity for an Upstream Scientist to join an expanding Process Development team is now available. The role will focus on development and applications of cutting-edge bioreactor-based viral vector production.

As a Scientist (Upstream Process Development) you will work on a number of exciting activities within Process Development. Upstream PD involves a range of internal platform development and commercial projects, primarily focusing on improving and expanding capabilities for viral vectors production process. You will work on implementation of new processes and technologies for scalable production of viral vector in suspension-based mammalian cell culture. The position will involve interaction with both internal and external stakeholders, and the ability to show commitment to scientific development and innovation are considered essential.

Role and Responsibilities

•             Plan and conduct viral vector production in shake flasks and bioreactors ranging from 1L to 10L scale

•             Support process development, scale up and optimisation activities for development of internal platforms and commercial projects

•             Design and execute experiments, including translation of small-scale experiments to bioreactor scale production and use of statistical approaches to process optimisation (e.g. DoE)

•             Supervise projects, including estimating resource requirements, deliverables and schedules

•             Support junior staff in their development, training, and mentoring

•             Review and author Standard Operating Procedures for new and existing processes; ensure established quality standards for existing processes; write technical reports

•             Support and contribute to protection and assessment of intellectual property, prepare publication materials (posters, presentations) with support from senior colleagues

•             Ensure efficient and accurate documentation management; provide accurate records within ELN and LIMS systems

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

•             A PhD in relevant biology/biotechnology discipline or MSc/BSc in relevant discipline with significant work experience within industry (2-5 years)

•             Previous industry experience applicable to the role with good knowledge of subject area

•             Prior experience of preparation, maintenance and operation of bioreactors up to 1-10L scale for mammalian cell culture (preferably viral vector production)

•             An engineering mindset – good ability to utilise statistical approaches (in particular Design of Experiments) to optimize processes and procedures

•             Understanding of bioreactor scaling parameters and experience of transitioning a process between scales

•             Well-developed interpersonal, written and verbal skills, including the ability to prepare written reports, give presentations and to speak to groups

•             Ability to work under demanding conditions, and to cope with shifting priorities while maintaining high level attention to detail

•             Previous experience of developing commercial suspension processes for mammalian cells

•             Direct knowledge around rAAV, lentiviral or adenoviral vector manufacture

•             Understanding or experience of working with high cell density, continuous, semi-continuous or perfusion processes

•             Understanding of GMP regulations and QbD principles and guidelines for process development

•             Ability to carry out research to broad targets and with limited supervision

•             Awareness of commercial implications of research

•             Experience working with ELN and LIMS systems

•             Understanding of key areas of viral vector production, including downstream processing, analytics, molecular biology and virology and their interaction with upstream activities in context of gene and cell therapy products



Please forward your CV to lewis.freeston@nextphaserecruitment.com or phone 0044 1403 216216 where we would be happy to tell you more about this exciting opportunity.