Scientist III, Recombinant Protein Process Development

Thermo Fisher Scientific • Cranbury, NJ

7d • Onsite

About The Position

As a Scientist III on Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Recombinant Proteins R&D team, you will provide technical leadership in developing and optimizing microbial fermentation and recombinant protein expression processes for cytokines, growth factors, and related proteins. The portfolio consists primarily of proteins produced in E. coli, with opportunities to support products made using mammalian and insect-cell expression systems. You will improve established fermentation processes, troubleshoot complex production challenges, and independently develop upstream strategies that support product development and reliable manufacturing.

This hands-on laboratory role combines independent project ownership, scientific problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration. You will use rigorous experimental design and data analysis to improve expression, yield, consistency, and process robustness, working closely with downstream purification scientists to understand how fermentation conditions affect protein recovery, quality, biological activity, and overall process performance. The position is based in a laboratory and office setting and requires some PPE.

Thermo Fisher Scientific describes its mission as enabling customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. Its global team has more than 100,000 colleagues. The salary range for this position based in New Jersey is $83,300–$111,100, with possible eligibility for a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results and company policy.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, or a related life sciences discipline.
• Progressive experience in microbial fermentation, recombinant protein expression, and upstream process development: typically 7+ years with a Bachelor’s degree, 5+ years with a Master’s degree, or 0–2 years with a Ph.D.
• Hands-on experience developing and optimizing E. coli fermentation processes using laboratory-scale bioreactors, including control of pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, feeding, and induction.
• Experience troubleshooting recombinant protein expression and developing strategies to improve expression levels, product yield, protein solubility, and fermentation consistency.
• Experience designing fermentation experiments, evaluating process performance, and developing, optimizing, scaling, or transferring upstream production processes.
• Working knowledge of recombinant protein recovery and downstream purification principles, including cell disruption, clarification, inclusion-body recovery, and chromatographic purification.
• Experience using analytical techniques to evaluate recombinant protein expression and quality, including SDS-PAGE, protein quantification assays, and other appropriate biochemical or protein characterization methods.
• Experience planning experiments, analyzing data, troubleshooting processes, maintaining rigorous laboratory documentation, and communicating technical conclusions.
• Strong scientific judgment and technical independence in selecting, developing, and justifying fermentation and recombinant protein expression strategies.
• Project ownership, including establishing experimental priorities, managing competing objectives, and driving technical work to completion.
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to interpret fermentation and protein expression data, identify root causes, and make well-supported scientific recommendations.
• Understanding of relationships between upstream process conditions, recombinant protein quality, downstream recovery, and manufacturing performance.
• Attention to detail and commitment to scientific rigor, accurate documentation, data integrity, laboratory safety, and continuous improvement.
• Communication and collaboration skills, including presenting technical findings, working across functional teams, and mentoring less experienced scientists.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with GMP principles and documentation requirements.
• Experience with recombinant protein purification, automated chromatography systems, protein refolding, or integrated upstream and downstream process optimization.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and evaluate small- to medium-scale E. coli fermentation experiments for recombinant protein production.
• Develop new fermentation strategies and optimize established processes, including media composition, feed strategies, induction conditions, temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and other critical process parameters.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory-scale bioreactor systems and associated instrumentation, establishing conditions for fermentation development, process characterization, and scale-up.
• Evaluate fermentation performance using measurements of cell growth, substrate utilization, recombinant protein expression, product yield, and relevant process and product quality attributes.
• Collaborate with downstream purification scientists to assess how upstream conditions affect cell harvest, protein recovery, solubility, impurity profiles, purification efficiency, and overall process performance.
• Perform or support protein recovery and purification activities, including cell disruption, clarification, inclusion-body isolation, and chromatographic purification.
• Design experiments, analyze and interpret data, identify root causes, and make scientifically sound recommendations to advance projects and improve process robustness.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records, prepare technical reports, and support development of processes and documentation suitable for future GMP manufacturing.
• Communicate results through technical summaries, presentations, and discussions with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Product Management, Regulatory, and other cross-functional partners.
• Provide technical leadership within project teams, mentor less experienced scientists, and contribute to evaluating and implementing new technologies, methods, and workflows.

Benefits

• Choice of national medical and dental plans and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs.
• Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement.
• At least 120 hours of paid time off, 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy.
• Retirement and savings programs, including a 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan.
• Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), offering eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount.
• Possible eligibility for a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy.

What This Job Offers

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