Post Doctoral Scientist (Biologics Development and Manufacturing)

Role Summary

The Postdoctoral Scientist will join the Cell Culture Process Development team to optimize mammalian cell culture media for diverse biologics, including monoclonal antibodies and other complex modalities. The role involves designing experiments, leading optimization efforts for chemically defined media, and contributing to process development at multiple scales to enhance cell growth, productivity, and product quality. The candidate will collaborate across teams, communicate findings, and contribute to scientific reports and publications.

Responsibilities

• Design experiments and perform hands-on buffer/media preparation and cell culture operations in shake flasks, ambr15, ambr250, bench-scale bioreactors, and novel cell culture platforms
• Lead aspects of optimizing chemically defined cell culture media to improve productivity and modulate product quality for fed-batch and perfusion processes
• Apply statistical and computational tools (e.g., DoE, multivariate analysis) to interpret experimental data and guide media formulation strategies
• Elucidate mechanistic understanding of key factors and associated metabolic pathways relating to cell culture medium and process development using advanced bio-analytical techniques such as bioassays, proteomics, and metabolomics
• Participate and work cross-functionally within and outside of biologics technical development to achieve common goals
• Prepare technical reports, protocols, presentations, and manuscripts for internal and external dissemination
• Occasional weekend work may be required to support cell culture operations
• Maintain accurate and detailed laboratory records in compliance with institutional and regulatory standards
• Adhere to department budget and all training, compliance and safety requirements. Support general laboratory upkeep.

Qualifications

• Required: Ph.D. in Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, or Biomolecular Engineering with 0–2 years of relevant experience or expected PhD graduation within 6 months from date of application
• Required: Motivated self-starter with organizational and problem-solving skills; excellent verbal communication, oral presentation, and scientific writing skills
• Required: Demonstrates technical proficiency, scientific creativity, collaboration with others, and independent thought in suggesting experimental design
• Required: Commitment to inclusion and diversity in the workplace
• Preferred: Hands-on laboratory operations experience in CHO cell culture including shake flask, high-throughput bioreactor (e.g., ambr15, ambr250), bench scale bioreactor in parallel operation
• Preferred: Experience with serum-free, chemically defined media optimization
• Preferred: Solid understanding of CHO cell metabolism, bioprocessing, and media formulation principles
• Preferred: Experience with metabolic pathway analyses and bio-analytical techniques such as proteomics, metabolomics, and bioassays for gene expression analysis to guide media optimization
• Preferred: Experience with kinetic modeling and computational tools (e.g., Python, R, MATLAB)
• Preferred: Experience in statistics, design-of-experiments, and data analysis (e.g., JMP, Spotfire)
• Preferred: Proven track record of external presentations and/or publications in peer-reviewed journals

Skills

• Strong experimental design and laboratory execution capabilities
• Proficiency with DoE and multivariate data analysis
• Analytical thinking and ability to interpret complex biological data
• Excellent communication and collaboration across cross-functional teams
• Scientific writing and presentation skills

Education

• Ph.D. in Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Biomolecular Engineering or related field