Protein Biochemist

Role Description

Senior Associate Scientist / Scientist level - VMRD - DST - Protein Sciences - Protein Biochemist

Position Summary:

Zoetis is a global company that discovers, develops, and manufactures a diverse portfolio of animal health medicines, biopharmaceuticals and vaccines designed to meet the real-world needs of veterinarians and livestock farmers and companion animal owners they support. We are currently seeking to fill new positions to support our growing research biopharmaceutical portfolio.

Zoetis Veterinary Medicine Research and Development (VMRD), Protein Sciences in Kalamazoo, MI is seeking a Protein Biochemist at the Senior Associate Scientist / Scientist level. This talented and experienced protein biochemist will assist at the bench with a variety of protein purification/downstream processing techniques and analytical characterization, contributing to research programs at Zoetis. This position will require a motivated, independent individual who can effectively collaborate with other team members and external partners to advance projects. Primary protein biochemistry activities including protein purification using a variety of chromatography methods, SDS-PAGE, analytical SEC, protein quantitation, filtration, and buffer-exchange techniques. The Protein Sciences group within Development Sciences & Technologies (DST) has the mission and responsibility for delivering novel protein therapeutics from discovery to pre-clinical and development phases of R&D.

The successful candidate should have knowledge of recombinant protein purification including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), and/or protein interactions and their biochemical properties therein. Excellent communication, teamwork, organizational and interpersonal skills are essential.

Position Responsibilities:

• Represent Protein Sciences on multiple project/tactical teams by being accountable to timelines, clearly communicating research findings, and sharing subject matter expertise to help identify and deliver potential therapeutic substrates.
• Perform operations for protein purification/downstream processing of mAbs and recombinant proteins including buffer preparation, filtration (dead-end, depth, TFF), Chromatography (Affinity, Ion-Exchange, HIC, SEC), & buffer-exchange methods at a variety of scales.
• Perform analytical methods necessary for the characterization of bioactive proteins including but not limited to SDS-PAGE, UV-vis spectroscopy, Western-Blot, and analytical-SEC.
• Independently develop and optimize robust, economical non-platform purification processes as needed. Design and execute bench level experiments towards these goals, analyze and interpret data.
• Strive for continuous improvement by streamlining existing workflows to increase productivity, identify opportunities to shorten production timelines.
• Document laboratory results in electronic laboratory notebooks and databases, prepare technical report summaries, and maintain other appropriate documentation.
• Collaborate in a team environment and operate cooperatively and creatively to overcome challenges and technical hurdles while adhering to project plan timelines and deliverables.

Education and Experience:

• Possess a relevant degree in science such as Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology or related discipline.
• A BS candidate would be expected to have > 2 years of experience and a MS candidate > 1 years of experience in a relevant biotechnology industry.
• Comprehensive hands-on experience with protein purification & downstream processing techniques and associated instrumentation software (AKTA Unicorn suite, Tecan, HPLC) from high-throughput approaches to larger scales.
• Working knowledge of and/or skills in protein characterization (SDS-PAGE, Western Blot, SEC, protein-quantitation).
• Experience with mAb production (protein A chromatography) and/or HIS-tagged protein production (IMAC chromatography) desired.
• Proficiency to familiarity in column-packing, TFF(UF/DF), and/or viral-clearance methods a plus.
• Ability to think critically and relate assay results to biophysical/biochemical protein properties.
• Self-starter, able to prioritize and work efficiently, design experiments with minimal supervision, and ability to work across diverse teams remotely and face-to-face.
• Experience interacting with CROs or external partnerships.
• Demonstrated commitment to a high level of work quality and operating effectively in a team environment.
• Excellent verbal/written communication, organizational and interpersonal skills.

Additional Information:

Work environment:

The placement of this position will be primarily in Kalamazoo, MI and is a lab-based position. Occasional travel to other Zoetis sites may also be requested.

The person filling this position will work in a laboratory setting and may be exposed to animal pathogens and chemicals.

Zoetis is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status or any other protected classification. Zoetis also complies with all applicable national, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act. All applicants must possess or obtain authorization to work in the US for Zoetis. Zoetis retains sole and exclusive discretion to pursue sponsorship for the acquisition or maintenance of nonimmigrant status and employment eligibility, considering factors such as availability of qualified US workers. Individuals requiring sponsorship must disclose this fact.

About Zoetis At Zoetis, our purpose is to nurture the world and humankind by advancing care for animals. As a Fortune 500 company and the world leader in animal health, we discover, develop, manufacture and commercialize vaccines, medicines, diagnostics and other technologies for companion animals and livestock. We know our people drive our success. Our award-winning culture, built around our Core Beliefs, focuses on our colleagues' careers, connection and support. We offer competitive healthcare and retirement savings benefits, along with an array of benefits, policies and programs to support employee well-being in every sense, from health and financial wellness to family and lifestyle resources.

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