Scientist III/Principal Scientist – Microbial Downstream Process Development

Summary

Title: Scientist III/Principal Scientist – Microbial Downstream Process Development

Department: Process Development and Manufacturing   

Exempt/Non-exempt: Exempt  

Job Location: South San Francisco, CA  

About Us

Kanvas Biosciences is a biotechnology company dedicated to studying and leveraging the microbiome towards developing next-generation treatment strategies. As a leader in microbial imaging and therapeutics, we're passionate about illuminating host-microbiome interactions with our advanced microscopy tools and leveraging them to create the next generation of therapeutics. Our mission at Kanvas is to characterize the microbiome and help unlock its potential as a druggable organ system. We are passionate about understanding how these microbial organisms work together, how they can be harnessed to improve human health and the environment, and how we can use our knowledge to make a meaningful impact in the world.

Our Values

1. We hire good people who are also great scientists. Kanvas is fortunate enough to have world-class scientists leading its R&D and scientific programs. But their unique talent is not the only reason they were hired. We strongly value integrity, honesty, dedication, and sportsmanship as critical traits in our team members. 
2. We think like explorers. We recognize that we are trying to do something that has never been done before. While these new frontiers excite us, we are also cognizant of the magnitude of the challenges ahead. As we navigate uncharted territories, we devote the necessary preparation, creativity, and effort required to achieve our goals. 
3. We have a steadfast commitment to the team. We believe that our collective knowledge, experience, and talent is enough to overcome any problem. We put our team members in the best positions for them to succeed and will be there to support them regardless of the outcome. 
4. We believe there is power in diversity. This statement applies both to the microbiome we study and also encoded in our team and culture. The members of Kanvas represent different ages, races, nationalities, genders, identities, and orientations. We view these differences as a strength because different vantage points fuel our scientific discoveries and fortify our company culture.

Research at Kanvas

Kanvas is a full-stack microbiome therapeutics company with cutting-edge biotech company at the forefront of microbial imaging. Our team of microbiologists, physicists, engineers, and geneticists are dedicated to developing the next generation of imaging tools that allow us to study microbes and host-microbiome interactions in their native biological environments. We use the principles of HiPR-FISH assay to explore the microbiome in various contexts and design the next generation of live therapeutics. Our state-of-the-art research facility in Princeton, NJ, is equipped with advanced technology for microscopy, image processing, aerobic and anaerobic microbial culture, tissue processing, and molecular biology. Our findings inform the manufacture of novel live biotherapeutics, which are produced in our laboratory in South San Francisco, CA. Our team members have access to dedicated spaces where they can perform their work in a collaborative and supportive environment. 

Job Description

We are seeking a talented and motivated Microbial Downstream Scientist to join our dynamic team. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in the development and optimization of downstream processes and formulation development for frozen and lyophilized LBP drug substances. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research aimed at revolutionizing the treatment landscape for patients. 

You will be expected to be a flexible, adaptable, and intellectually rigorous team member and play a critical role in the design and development of microbiome therapeutics at the absolute forefront of the field. 

As Scientist/Principal Scientist, your responsibilities will include:

• Designing and executing experiments to develop, optimize, and scale-up processes, including continuous centrifugation, tangential flow filtration, and formulation development for biopharmaceutical products. 
• Driving formulation development efforts for frozen and lyophilized drug substances comprising live bacterial strains, including formulation screening, optimization, and stability studies. 
• Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, e.g., upstream team to integrate downstream and formulation processes into the overall manufacturing workflow. 
• Leading experimental design, execution, and data analysis; presenting and documenting various tools such as electronic laboratory notebooks, quality systems and technical reports. 
• Troubleshooting technical challenges related to downstream processing and formulation development and implementing innovative solutions to overcome them. 
• Authoring and reviewing protocols, reports, batch records, and regulatory documents. 
• Presenting data and communicating plans at project team meetings. 
• Collaborating with QA, Regulatory Affairs and other functions to generate/manage GMP and regulatory documents. 
• Developing an understanding of GMPs and regulatory expectations related to live biotherapeutic drug manufacturing processes. 
• Traveling domestically and internationally as needed for technology transfer and manufacturing support. 

Ideal Candidate Profile

We are seeking candidates who have a Ph.D. in microbiology, chemical engineering, or related discipline with 2-3 years of relevant experience or M.S. and 5+ years of relevant experience. The role requires the following experience and key qualifications:

• Proven expertise in downstream process development and formulation development for biopharmaceutical products. 
• Experience with designing and executing experiments to develop and optimize bioprocesses for the manufacturing of live biotherapeutics (anaerobic bacteria) is preferred. 
• Hands-on experience with anaerobic microbial cultivation and fermentation is preferred. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot and optimize bioprocessing operations. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment. 
• Proven skill in effectively communicating complex scientific ideas to team members and stakeholders in a clear and understandable manner. 
• Experience with cGMP regulations and working in a regulated environment is preferred. 
• Ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing project requirements in a fast-paced research environment. 

We expect the scientist filling this position to be physically present at our office to best be an integral part of our team's ongoing research efforts. 

At Kanvas, we offer a competitive salary and benefits package that includes full medical, dental, and vision insurance packages for employees and their families, and paid time off. The salary range for this position is $140,000 to $155,000 per year.

If you're passionate about the microbiome and want to join a dynamic and innovative team, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity. Please send your CV and a brief paragraph about why you think you’d be a good fit for the job to aditya@kanvasbio.com.