Scientist II - Molecular Analytics & NGS

UCB • Boston, MA

107d • $99,200 - $130,200 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Gene Therapy Vector Core group is seeking a Scientist II to support genetic medicine projects and AAV gene therapy platform development as part of the Upstream Process Development and Bioprocess Analytics team. The role develops analytical methods, including short- and long-read next-generation sequencing (NGS), cell-based AAV potency assays, and ddPCR assays. It also supports routine characterization testing of research-grade materials and helps guide process development activities.

The Scientist II works independently and collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams, applying evolving analytical methodologies to gene therapy platform development. The position involves managing priorities, communicating across functional groups, and maintaining exemplary documentation of experimental work.

Requirements

• MS degree in Molecular Biology or a related field and over 10 years of experience, or a PhD or postdoctoral experience with at least 2 years of experience.
• At least 4 years of expertise in PCR-based assay development and molecular characterization of AAVs or biomolecular characterization for gene therapies.
• At least 4 years of NGS development experience using long- and/or short-read technologies, including genomic DNA, targeted amplicon, small RNA, and RNA-seq, for genomic and transcriptomic analyses in early drug discovery and drug-substance analytics.
• At least 4 years of experience serving as a functional representative on multidisciplinary drug discovery project teams.

Nice To Haves

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field, with direct AAV characterization experience supporting molecular analytics of AAV vectors.
• At least 6 years of experience in molecular analytical characterization of AAV vectors.
• At least 6 years of hands-on NGS library preparation and Illumina and PacBio data acquisition and quality control supporting drug discovery activities.
• At least 6 years of preclinical drug discovery or development experience focused on molecular characterization, analytical method development, impurity characterization, and identifying biological complexities.
• Experience serving as the primary owner of developing, optimizing, and/or routinely conducting cell-based potency assays to evaluate biological function and activity.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of custom molecular assays, including ddPCR and qPCR, to support gene therapy analytics.
• Optimize and apply next-generation sequencing technologies to characterize impurities and assess heterogeneity in AAV drug products.
• Use biology expertise to guide or conduct cell-based potency assays evaluating biological function and activity.
• Support gene therapy platform development through evolving analytical methodologies and cross-team collaborations, including capsid engineering.
• Work independently and cross-functionally with UCB teams, including data scientists, cell biologists, disease-area experts, and CMC professionals.
• Manage priorities, communicate in a multidisciplinary environment, and document experimental work.
• Support routine characterization testing of research-grade materials and guide process development activities.

Benefits

• A caring, supportive, inclusive culture with equal opportunities.
• Opportunities to grow and shape a career path.
• Hybrid-first approach, with 40% of time spent in the office unless otherwise stated or precluded by the nature of the role.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level