Scientist, Cell Therapy Islet

Role Summary

Sana Biotechnology is growing, and we are hiring new team members who believe in the potential of engineered cells as medicines, who want to challenge the status quo, and who lead with the desire to work on novel ideas. You will join the Beta Islet Team at the Cambridge location to optimize 3D expansion and differentiation in stem cell–islet differentiation. As a Scientist, you will execute optimization experiments critical to scaling up our differentiation process. The ideal candidate should have ample experience handling bioreactors and performing directed PSC differentiation in 3D, and you will thrive in a highly collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Execute routine 2D and 3D PSC expansion, passaging and directed SC-islet differentiation
• Design optimization experiments with the goal to achieve a highly scalable and robust 3D SC-islet differentiation process that is compliant to manufacturing standards
• Optimize the differentiation protocol to achieve highly pure on-target populations
• Hands-on experience with closed systems (tube welder, sealer, single-use assemblies)
• Expertise in controlled bioreactor setup, operation, automation, and process control (DO, pH, perfusion, agitation)
• Collaborate and communicate findings with other team members
• Maintain excellent scientific documentation and contribute to SOP development
• Assure compliance with all relevant lab safety and biosafety regulations

Qualifications

• Required: Significantly experienced and knowledgeable in operating various types of bioreactors for suspension culture
• Preferred: Experienced with bioreactor control software, process development tools, or DOE-based optimization
• Required: Significantly experienced in operating a closed system for cell culture
• Required: Significantly experienced in Flow cytometry and immunofluorescent staining
• Preferred: Proficient with standard flow cytometry and imaging software (e.g., FACSDiva, FlowJo, ImageJ, Halo)

Skills

• Flow cytometry
• Immunofluorescent staining
• Flow cytometry and imaging software (FACSDiva, FlowJo, ImageJ, Halo)
• Bioreactor operation and control software

Education

• PhD in Stem cell biology, biochemical/biomedical Engineering or related fields