Senior Scientist, Upstream Viral Process Development

About us:

We’re a startup biotechnology company dedicated to engineering a universal treatment across solid tumors. We’re committed to the development of novel cell therapies, and we’re using viral vectors, universal targets, and novel cytokine biology to enhance CAR T activity. Our therapeutic approach has the potential to enable us to treat significant numbers of cancer patients. Our company was founded on pioneering work carried out in the laboratories of Dr. Carl June and Dr. Andy Minn (University of Pennsylvania), Dr. Kole Roybal (UCSF), and Dr. Christopher Garcia (Stanford University).

Our purpose is to help create a world where all cancer patients can be cured. We’re humbled by the opportunity to work together on some of the most pressing medical challenges of our time. At our company, you would become one of our early team members—not only playing a role in meeting our ambitious mission but also building our thriving culture.  We are determined to deliver with urgency to discover new solutions and we always stay dedicated to scientific rigor; we have an ownership mindset because each and every one of us is integral to our success.  Collaboration is core for us because we believe that by bringing people together with diverse perspectives, we make a stronger whole.  And, we show we care about our work and each other by sharing feedback - ultimately in service of our vision to empower people to continue forward with their lives – cancer free. 

The role:

Reporting to the Associate Director, Upstream Process Development, the Senior Scientist will contribute to upstream viral process development to bring the company’s pipeline of T cell and viral vector-based products to the clinic. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, performing the day-to-day activities of the viral process development lab, building the company’s viral manufacturing capabilities, and executing experiments to support viral process development/characterization. This role will collaborate significantly with research and analytical development teams, as well as contract development and manufacturing organizations.  

Key responsibilities:

• Contribute to the setup and organization of the company’s vector process development capabilities. 
• Develop bench scale suspension culture processes for viral vector generation within shake flasks and bioreactors through design and execution of experiments to support process characterization, and process transfer activities between the research team, TechOps, and external partners. 
• Provide experimental execution, data review and analysis, and maintenance of accurate and detailed lab notebooks. 
• Perform day-to-day activities in the vector process development lab including maintaining equipment, ordering materials and managing inventory, and preparing buffers and process aids. 
• Author and review technical documents, including but not limited to batch records, SOPs, development reports and process specific sections of regulatory documents. 
• Represent the company externally at meetings (professional associations, with regulatory bodies, etc.). 
• Serve as a PD subject matter expert on both internal and external teams (CDMO, material & equipment suppliers, etc.). 

Required experience & skills:  

• Bachelor’s Degree with 10 years, Master’s Degree with 8 years or Ph.D. with 5 years in chemical engineering, biochemical engineering/bioengineering, biotechnology or related discipline 
• Hands-on experience with viral vector upstream processing, including excellent small-scale aseptic technique and expert understanding of bioreactor operation and control loops. 
• Experience implementing processes in clinical and commercial manufacturing of cell and gene therapy / biopharma products 
• Demonstrated ability to apply knowledge of cell biology, chemical engineering, or bioengineering toward process development, scale-up /scale-down and troubleshooting 
• Strong scientific reasoning, problem-solving, and applied mathematics and statistics skills, including the ability to break down complex problems into manageable hypotheses 
• Proven experience collaborating with internal and external partners 
• Ability to balance individual contributions while training and informally mentoring junior colleagues. 
• Working knowledge of GMP guidelines for clinical and commercial manufacturing 
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and data analysis/presentation software such as JMP and/or GraphPad 
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills 
• Strong organizational & problem-solving skills, with excellent attention to detail and the proven ability to collaborate in a dynamic team environment 

Preferred experience & skills: 

• End-to-end experience in plasmid and Lentivirus development and manufacturing 
• Experience with high-throughput bioreactors systems, namely AMBR, but others will be considered 
• Experience drafting CMC sections for INDs 

Our values:  

Our values guide everything we do. While capabilities and skills are vital, understanding how a potential new colleague would embody our values is central to our hiring decisions.

Determined to deliver:  

By working with focus and passion, we can provide patients with the solutions they need.  

Own every outcome:  

We can reach new heights when we stay centered on our shared success.  

Collaboration at the core:  

When we band together, our work is better.  

Feedback is fundamental:  

Constructive and authentic positive feedback may be difficult to master but it is vital to our success.  

Working here:

• We offer a highly competitive compensation package with meaningful ownership through equity
• Excellent coverage for medical, vision, and dental
• 401(k) with generous contribution
• Life insurance
• Flexible PTO policy
• Additional substantial benefits

We are an equal opportunity employer. 

We are committed to inclusion and diversity, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, color, marital status, veteran status, disability status, national origin, or any characteristic protected under applicable law.