Associate Scientist (BS/MS) contractor – Lentiviral Vector Research & Early Process Development (100% Bench)

Associate Scientist (BS/MS) contractor – Lentiviral Vector Research & Early Process Development (100% Bench)

Contract Duration: One year

Why this matters:

This role accelerates cell and genome therapy research by enabling reliable generation, characterization, and improvement of lentiviral vectors used in discovery and preclinical studies.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Research Associate / Associate Scientist (BS/MS) to advance lentiviral vector research with some early process development. This is a 100% bench-based, hands-on laboratory role focused on running, troubleshooting, and improving upstream and downstream LVV workflows to enable discovery and preclinical studies.

Key Responsibilities

• Scope note: this is a hands-on lab role and is not primarily computational, project-management, or supervisory.
• Design and execute iterative LVV experiments in adherent and/or suspension HEK293T-based systems (cell expansion, transfection, harvest, and in-process sampling) to evaluate and improve performance.
• Execute and optimize downstream processing, including clarification/filtration and concentration/buffer exchange using TFF/UF-DF; assess recovery, scalability, and robustness.
• Support early scale-up/scale-down studies (e.g., shake flasks, cell factories, wave or single-use stirred-tank bioreactors), including setup, sterile connections, sampling plans, and data-driven comparisons across scales.
• Quantify and interpret vector yield and quality using standard assays (e.g., qPCR/ddPCR titers, p24/ELISA, infectivity/functional readouts as applicable); communicate findings, hypotheses, and recommended next experiments.
• Maintain rigorous documentation in an electronic lab notebook (ELN) and author/refresh protocols and SOPs that improve reproducibility, safety, and throughput for R&D and early PD workflows.
• Collaborate with scientists to prioritize experiments, troubleshoot process/assay issues, and ensure safe handling of viral vectors and human-derived materials in accordance with BSL-2/EHS requirements.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications
• B.S. with 4+ years, or M.S. with 2+ years of relevant industry or academic experience in molecular biology, bioengineering, cell biology, biochemistry, or related field.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience producing and concentrating viral vectors and/or biologics; familiarity with at least one downstream method (TFF/UF-DF, chromatography, or ultracentrifugation).
• Expertise in mammalian cell culture (aseptic technique, cell counting/viability, expansion, banking) with comfort working in BSL-2 environments.
• Ability to execute experiments with minimal supervision, troubleshoot process/assay issues, and communicate results clearly in a fast-paced R&D environment.
• Must be comfortable spending the majority of work time performing hands-on, bench-level laboratory work (e.g., tissue culture, transfection, purification/TFF, and assays).
• Strong documentation skills using ELNs (e.g., Benchling) and proficiency with standard data tools (Excel/GraphPad or equivalent).
• Able to work effectively both independently and collaboratively, with strong planning, organization, and cross-functional communication.
• Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with scalable unit operations for viral vector production (single-use stirred-tank or wave bioreactors, cell factories, TFF/UF-DF) and associated sampling/monitoring.

This role is open to individual contractors only. Recruitment agencies: please do not contact us or submit candidates.