Principal Scientist, Large Molecule Continuous Manufacturing Technologies

Job Description

Position Description:

Principal Scientist, Large Molecule Continuous Manufacturing Technologies

The Continuous & Expression Technologies (CET) Group within the Process R&D Enabling Technologies organization is seeking a highly-motivated and technology-focused scientific leader looking for opportunities to positively impact our Company's manufacturing platforms across therapeutic modalities with a special focus on Vaccine Process Development.

Specifically, CET is seeking Scientists specializing in bioprocessing technologies for vaccine candidates encompassing adjuvants, virus-like particles, nucleic acid vaccines, conjugate vaccines, live/attenuated viruses, and other large biomolecules - at our site in West Point, PA.

The CET group is tasked with identifying, developing, and deploying continuous manufacturing tools and methodologies aimed at improving production processes being developed for molecules in the company's drug candidate pipeline. Knowledge of intensified unit operations such as multi-column chromatography, single-pass ultrafiltration and in-line diafiltration in addition to applied knowledge of hardware/software integration, process automation systems, and process analytical technologies (PAT) are valued skills within the group. The successful applicant will have demonstrated expertise in vaccine process development, whether upstream, downstream or both.

As a member of the CET group's leadership team, the chosen applicant will report to the group's Senior Director and will focus on delivering technical innovation, both personally and through mentorship/leadership of others. The applicant will also assist in setting the scientific strategy of the CET group aligning with the mission of the larger Process R&D-Enabling Technologies organization. Leaders in CET are responsible for advancing a culture of scientific excellence, identifying emerging trends in continuous manufacturing and vaccine processing and defining the field through invention of novel tools. Leadership team members are also expected to play an active role in recruiting and developing the talent on our teams, and promoting collaborative research praised both internally and externally as exemplary of a multi-disciplinary research group.

In particular, the chosen candidate will also play an important role in directing the preparation of disclosures to be used as the basis for patent applications, publications and external presentations and should possess an established track record of interaction with the international academic community. In addition to a passion for intensified bioprocessing technologies, the chosen candidate should also have excellent interpersonal, communication and collaboration skills and is expected to embrace and model our core values of diversity, equity and inclusion and foster a supportive culture where all can thrive.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Partner with functional area project teams and subject matter experts to set strategy and priorities for technology innovation.
• Provide scientific leadership to the West Point team, driving the design, execution, and documentation of experiments to develop novel technologies
• Collaborate with stakeholders to implement novel technologies in the clinical and commercial spaces.
• Contribute to the development of next generation vaccine manufacturing and process development platforms.
• Integrate unit operations both physically and with relevant process control and monitoring platforms for concurrent operations.
• Contribute to a safe and compliant laboratory work environment.
• Provide mentorship for a team of scientists and partner with the CET leadership team for their ongoing development.

Position Qualifications:

Education Minimum Requirement:

• BS, MS, or PhD in Chemical Engineering, biological sciences, microbiology or a related field.
• Extended academic or industrial experience in a product, process or technology development area:
  • BS +8 years
  • MS +7 years
  • PhD +5 years

Required Experience and Skills:

• Ability to independently prioritize, plan, and execute experimental workflows.
• Experience in the preparative bioprocessing of proteins, adjuvants, viruses, virus-like particles, RNA and/or large biological molecules.
• Technical background in bioprocess techniques such as chromatography and membrane operations, and common biochemical analytical techniques.
• Well-developed organizational, record-keeping, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with large molecule biophysical properties, and general biological laboratory practices.
• Proven written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated facilitative leadership and influencing skills.
• Experience with engineering principles used in process development and process scale up/scale down.
• Ability to develop and implement new methods/processes.
• Experience, desire, and a track record of effective mentorship of less experienced scientists towards timebound goals.
• Experience with use of statistical principles to understand, predict, and communicate process robustness.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience with statistical data analysis tools and design of experiments.
• Experience with continuous chromatography systems (e.g., AKTA-PCC, BioSMB).
• Experience with single-pass tangential flow filtration and continuous in-line diafiltration.
• Experience with sterile product manufacturing and aseptic technique.
• Experience with colloidal systems and characterization of colloids including emulsions.
• Experience with process and/or economic modeling.
• Experience with direct people management.

NOTICEFORINTERNALAPPLICANTS

In accordance with Managers' Policy - Job Posting and Employee Placement, all employees subject to this policy are required to have a minimum of twelve (12) months of service in current position prior to applying for open positions.

If you have been offered a separation benefits package, but have not yet reached your separation date and are offered a position within the salary and geographical parameters as set forth in the Summary Plan Description (SPD) of your separation package, then you are no longer eligible for your separation benefits package. To discuss in more detail, please contact your HRBP or Talent Acquisition Advisor.

Employees working in roles that the Company determines require routine collaboration with external stakeholders, such as customer-facing commercial, or research-based roles, will be expected to comply not only with Company policy but also with policies established by such external stakeholders (for example, a requirement to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to access a facility or meet with stakeholders). Please understand that, as permitted by applicable law, if you have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and an essential function of your job is to call on external stakeholders who require vaccination to enter their premises or engage in face-to-face meetings, then your employment may pose an undue burden to business operations, in which case you may not be offered employment, or your employment could be terminated. Please also note that, where permitted by applicable law, the Company reserves the right to require COVID-19 vaccinations for positions, such as in Global Employee Health, where the Company determines in its discretion that the nature of the role presents an increased risk of disease transmission.

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Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, generally Tuesday, Wednesday and either Monday or Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence. This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as "remote".

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Employee Status:

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

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Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

Job Posting End Date:09/01/2024

A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

Requisition ID:R306556