Principal Scientist, Vector Biology
Legend Biotech
June 24, 2026
Remote friendly (Philadelphia, PA)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
Principal Scientist, Vector Biology (Vector Biology Upstream) — Philadelphia, PA
Role Overview
- Lead early process development and establish a manufacturable lentiviral vector (LVV) platform supporting in-vivo CAR-T programs.
- Bridge molecular construct design with upstream process outcomes; partner with Downstream, Analytical, and Technical Development to ensure end-to-end coherence and readiness for technology transfer.
Key Responsibilities
- Establish/optimize seed train strategies (shake flask to bench-scale bioreactor) to define scalable process parameters and operational ranges.
- Apply molecular biology to evaluate LVV constructs (plasmid architecture, packaging system, promoter/transgene configuration, transfer vector optimization) to meet manufacturability and potency requirements.
- Design/optimize LVV production workflows (transient transfection and stable producer cell line platforms) to improve yield, quality, and robustness.
- Perform media optimization, feeding strategy evaluation, and bioreactor process control development; identify CPPs for scale-up (40-L+).
- Integrate upstream decisions with downstream constraints (harvest, clarification, vector quality attributes).
- Execute fit-for-purpose early process studies to generate data packages for process lock, comparability, and regulatory filings using DoE and risk-based approaches.
- Provide scientific leadership, independence, documentation, and evidence-based recommendations; author technical reports and stage-gate presentations.
- Maintain BSL-2 compliance and rigorous electronic lab notebook records.
Requirements / Qualifications
- MS with 10+ years, or PhD with 5–8+ years in Bioengineering/Cell Biology/Chemical Engineering or related; molecular biology/virology foundation preferred.
- Hands-on viral vector production and upstream process development across multiple scales; translating to manufacturable platforms (required).
- Suspension cell culture and upstream bioprocessing experience.
- Bioreactor operations (up to 50 L preferred); knowledge of downstream (clarification, chromatography, TFF) to inform upstream design.
- Gene therapy/viral vector early process development experience.
- DoE, multivariate data analysis, and risk-based decision-making.
- Molecular biology proficiency for LVV construct design and optimization (preferred).
- Working knowledge of downstream operations (harvest/clarification, AEX/affinity chromatography, TFF); integrated upstream-downstream development preferred.
Benefits
- Benefits are offered exclusively to permanent full-time employees; contractors are not eligible.
Role Overview
- Lead early process development and establish a manufacturable lentiviral vector (LVV) platform supporting in-vivo CAR-T programs.
- Bridge molecular construct design with upstream process outcomes; partner with Downstream, Analytical, and Technical Development to ensure end-to-end coherence and readiness for technology transfer.
Key Responsibilities
- Establish/optimize seed train strategies (shake flask to bench-scale bioreactor) to define scalable process parameters and operational ranges.
- Apply molecular biology to evaluate LVV constructs (plasmid architecture, packaging system, promoter/transgene configuration, transfer vector optimization) to meet manufacturability and potency requirements.
- Design/optimize LVV production workflows (transient transfection and stable producer cell line platforms) to improve yield, quality, and robustness.
- Perform media optimization, feeding strategy evaluation, and bioreactor process control development; identify CPPs for scale-up (40-L+).
- Integrate upstream decisions with downstream constraints (harvest, clarification, vector quality attributes).
- Execute fit-for-purpose early process studies to generate data packages for process lock, comparability, and regulatory filings using DoE and risk-based approaches.
- Provide scientific leadership, independence, documentation, and evidence-based recommendations; author technical reports and stage-gate presentations.
- Maintain BSL-2 compliance and rigorous electronic lab notebook records.
Requirements / Qualifications
- MS with 10+ years, or PhD with 5–8+ years in Bioengineering/Cell Biology/Chemical Engineering or related; molecular biology/virology foundation preferred.
- Hands-on viral vector production and upstream process development across multiple scales; translating to manufacturable platforms (required).
- Suspension cell culture and upstream bioprocessing experience.
- Bioreactor operations (up to 50 L preferred); knowledge of downstream (clarification, chromatography, TFF) to inform upstream design.
- Gene therapy/viral vector early process development experience.
- DoE, multivariate data analysis, and risk-based decision-making.
- Molecular biology proficiency for LVV construct design and optimization (preferred).
- Working knowledge of downstream operations (harvest/clarification, AEX/affinity chromatography, TFF); integrated upstream-downstream development preferred.
Benefits
- Benefits are offered exclusively to permanent full-time employees; contractors are not eligible.