Senior Scientist I (Machine Learning) - Biologics Drug Substance Development, Cell Culture Development

Role Summary

The Cell Culture Development Group in South San Francisco, CA is seeking a Senior Scientist I to join a talented and collaborative team to develop and implement machine learning models for predicting optimal cell culture process performance. As a senior scientist, you will be responsible for all aspects of ML model development. This position is an onsite role in a lab-based function. In this position, you will design and implement cell culture process modeling to assist and accelerate cell culture process development, scale-up, and technology transfer activities in a well-supported and dynamic environment to help advance novel biotherapeutics into human clinical studies.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, refine, and validate machine learning (ML) models for predicting cell culture process performance
• Communicate model findings and suggest experimental strategy and/or workflow improvements to support early- and late-stage development
• Actively seek out opportunities to optimize our platform or enhance our understanding of cell culture processes using ML models and wet lab experiments
• Design and execute scalable ambr250 and 2L experiments for model development and validation
• Represent the cell culture development group in cross-functional meetings and collaborate closely with modeling groups, cell line, purification, analytical and formulation development leads to meet project deliverables and timelines
• Publish or present scientific findings in peer-reviewed journals, internal or external conferences or consortia
• Display effective organization, verbal written communication skills, and adherence to good documentation practices

Qualifications

• Required: BS, MS, or PhD in Computer Science / Statistics and Applied Mathematics / Bioinformatics / Machine Learning / Computational Biology / Data Science / Chemical Engineering / Bioengineering or a related field, with Bachelor's degree and 10+ years of experience OR Master's and 8+ years of experience, OR PhD and no experience necessary.
• Required: Industry or research experience developing machine learning models related to chemical and biological data.
• Required: Expertise with developing, implementing, validating, and deploying models, programs and computational solutions using Machine Learning/Deep Learning.
• Required: Must have a strong understanding of statistical methods, ML methodologies (e.g., RNNs, GPR, symbolic regression), and ML frameworks (Sci-kit Learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch or Keras). Preferred prior experience with time series forecasting.
• Required: Must demonstrate strong programming competency for implementing, debugging, and maintaining models and tools in Python or equivalent and proficiency with cloud computing capabilities.
• Required: Must have experience in data visualization tools (e.g., Matplotlib, Plotly) to communicate model findings.
• Required: Strong familiarity with statistical modelling software/tools (e.g., JMP, SIMCA, Minitab, Design Expert) and proficient with Microsoft Office software.
• Required: Willingness to learn and execute wet lab experiments in ambr250 and 2L bioreactors
• Required: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with demonstrated ability to think critically and creatively; and provide solutions both individually and collaboratively with internal experts to develop and optimize the computational infrastructure including cloud resources.
• Required: Strong attention to detail; active and quick learner; able to change course quickly as needed; open to suggestions and embraces the ideas of others; collaborative and actively builds relationships with others.
• Required: Experienced in authoring and reviewing peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, regulatory documents, and/or presentations at conferences.
• Preferred: Experience in implementing transfer learning
• Preferred: Strong understanding of design of experiments (DOE)
• Preferred: Experience in CMC cell culture process development is highly desirable
• Preferred: Basic understanding of mammalian cell and molecular biology and cell culture bioprocess engineering concepts is highly desirable
• Preferred: Experience in developing and executing mammalian suspension cell culture processes in shake flasks, ambr250, and/or 2L bioreactors is highly desirable