Download Technical Development Scientist, Early Stage Cell

Date: 07/06/17
Technical Development Scientist, Early Stage Cell Culture
Job ID: 3409566904
Job Function
Other Technical Development
Schedule
Full-time
Location
United States - California
South San Francisco
Job type
Company/Division
Job Level
Pharmaceuticals
Individual Contributor
Regular Employee
The Position
The Early Stage Cell Culture is responsible for developing and improving the cell lines used
to make our products and developing the fermentation and cell culture processes to support
pre-clinical and clinical development through Phase 2. The department is also committed to
providing essential materials to gRED and to reducing the risk, cost, and time of process
development through technology development.
Purpose:
We want to recruit a scientist to join our Early Stage Cell Culture department to help solve
biological investigations related to therapeutic protein production and to help continuously
improve our recombinant protein production platform.
Recent breakthrough advances in gene editing, mass-spectrometry, and other analytical
technologies have generated a burst of new information in the fields of cell biology and
mammalian cell line development for recombinant protein production. Questions that could
not be answered a few years ago may now be addressed fairly quickly and efficiently.
Further characterization of the cellular machinery involved in recombinant protein production
should help increase our understanding of the complex biology required to produce protein
therapeutics in multi-gram per liter quantities. By better understanding the biology of the
production system, we can more effectively solve product expression and product quality
investigations, and also accelerate improvement of the production platform.
We are looking for a motivated and exceptional research scientist who will be involved in
investigating recombinant protein production primarily in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells
at both the cellular and molecular levels. The goal is to dissect and understand specific
behaviors of these cell lines to identify biochemical/biological pathways that are linked to a
particular process behavior. In addition, the candidate may help to identify
biochemical/biological pathways that improve our recombinant protein production platform.
The qualified candidate should be familiar with mammalian protein expression, folding, and
secretion pathways and have a solid understanding of cellular/molecular biology and current
experimental techniques. An outstanding publication track record is required. Familiarity with
cell line development processes is preferred but not required. The successful candidate is
encouraged and expected to conduct research in the lab both independently and in
collaboration with other team members. The selected individual is expected to have excellent
communication and presentation skills and be capable of influencing and driving multiple
projects forward in parallel.
Responsibilities:
Seek to understand fundamental biological pathways that affect CHO cell productivity,
product quality, and aberrant process behaviors.
Identify biochemical/biological pathways that improve our recombinant protein
production platform.
Launch multi-departmental and collaborative (within the company or with outside
vendors/collaborators) investigations to improve our understanding of CHO cell
biology, metabolism, physiology and energetics.
Identify biomarkers to monitor or predict the status of cell performance.
Evaluate new and cutting edge technologies for these efforts.
Seek genetic engineering approaches to improve future cell lines.
Train and involve other staff members in research activities.
Present and communicate the findings broadly, informing and advising senior
management as required.
Serve as an expert resource in biology and its influence on cell culture manufacturing
processes.
Who You Are
A Ph.D. in biochemistry, cellular/molecular biology, or related discipline with 3-5 years of
postdoctoral or industry experience is required. Qualified candidate is expected to have
multiple first author published manuscripts in the aforementioned scientific fields.
The ideal candidate will have expertise in molecular/cellular biology, biochemistry, and
preferably be knowledgeable about mammalian cell line development platforms used for
supporting clinical & commercial therapeutic protein production. Familiarity with standard
molecular biology techniques, DNA manipulation and cloning, western blotting, Southern
blotting, PCR/qPCR, site directed mutagenesis, recombinant protein expression/analysis,
cell biology assays, genome editing, and cell culture techniques are required. The preferred
candidate must be an excellent communicator with strong presentation skills and the ability
to investigate and convey complex and difficult ideas and data, both verbally and in writing.
Additional expectations for this position include: very strong work ethic, initiation and
completion of investigative projects within the expected time frames, with emphasis on
accuracy and high quality work. The qualified candidate is expected to work directly in the
molecular and cell culture labs.
*LI-PTD-AE
Who We Are
A member of the Roche Group, Genentech has been at the forefront of the biotechnology
industry for more than 40 years, using human genetic information to develop novel
medicines for serious and life-threatening diseases. Genentech has multiple therapies on the
market for cancer & other serious illnesses. Please take this opportunity to learn about
Genentech where we believe that our employees are our most important asset & are
dedicated to remaining a great place to work.
Genentech is an equal opportunity employer & prohibits unlawful discrimination based on
race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national
origin/ancestry, age, disability, marital & veteran status. For more information about equal
employment opportunity, visit our Genentech Careers page.