Biologist

Axle•Rockville, MD

2d•$80,000 - $90,000

About The Position

Axle is looking to add a driven, flexible, organized, and meticulous Biologist to our dynamic team. The Contractor(s) shall provide services in support of the overall functions of the Vaccine Research Center (VRC), Vaccine Production Program (VPP). Technical Requirements: Support the Cell Culture Development (upstream) group of the Vaccine Production Program (VPP) at the Vaccine Research Center. Perform development studies of cell culture processes for VRC clinical vaccine or therapeutic candidates and support tech transfer to the VCMP for clinical material generation for the VRC. The vaccine candidates may include viral vaccines, recombinant proteins and/or virus- like particles, or monoclonal antibodies. The cell culture processes may include process development and scale up mediated by microbial (bacterial, yeast) and mammalian cell expression systems. Capture results in lab notebooks and contribute (by authoring or reviewing) technical documents such as Process Descriptions, SOPs, and Technical Reports. Operate bioreactors (set-up, batch, monitor, harvest, and break down) other cell culture equipment (e.g. metabolite analyzers). Participate in internal project and laboratory meetings, keep current with compliance obligations, and have shared responsibility for maintenance of common laboratory equipment and designated areas. Perform extended-duration culture to improve culture productivity. Perform novel transient transfection studies via ATF-based media exchange. Independently design experimental studies, including statistical analysis like design-of- experiments (DoE). Participate in inter-department planning, data presentations, and material transfer coordination. Assist junior associates in experimental set-up and data analysis. Support tech transfer and/or regulatory submissions by authoring process descriptions, study reports, and other IND-supporting documents.

Requirements

BS in a Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, or other life sciences is required.
Minimum of twelve (12) years of experience in mammalian and/or microbial cell culture development is required.
Experience with statistics-based experimental design software, including JMP and/or SAS is required.

Responsibilities

Support the Cell Culture Development (upstream) group of the Vaccine Production Program (VPP) at the Vaccine Research Center.
Perform development studies of cell culture processes for VRC clinical vaccine or therapeutic candidates and support tech transfer to the VCMP for clinical material generation for the VRC.
Capture results in lab notebooks and contribute (by authoring or reviewing) technical documents such as Process Descriptions, SOPs, and Technical Reports.
Operate bioreactors (set-up, batch, monitor, harvest, and break down) other cell culture equipment (e.g. metabolite analyzers).
Participate in internal project and laboratory meetings, keep current with compliance obligations, and have shared responsibility for maintenance of common laboratory equipment and designated areas.
Perform extended-duration culture to improve culture productivity.
Perform novel transient transfection studies via ATF-based media exchange.
Independently design experimental studies, including statistical analysis like design-of- experiments (DoE).
Participate in inter-department planning, data presentations, and material transfer coordination.
Assist junior associates in experimental set-up and data analysis.
Support tech transfer and/or regulatory submissions by authoring process descriptions, study reports, and other IND-supporting documents.