Senior Scientist, Cell Production & Tissue Engineering

Unither Pharmaceuticals•Medford, MA

1d•$127,500 - $170,000•Onsite

About The Position

This position offers someone the opportunity of a lifetime – to see a product into something real, an opportunity to create a human kidney equivalent and save lives on a scale before unknown. This position is seeking a stem cell biologist to produce and QC differentiated renal cells, and develop enhanced methods to produce patient derived endothelial and renal epithelial cells in support of R&D operations. The scientist ensures stable production of differentiated cells for 2D and 3D systems experiments independently as well as part of a cell production team. This position plans, conducts, and supports experiments to develop, manufacture, and evaluate cell-based therapeutics for the treatment of end-stage renal disease. As Senior Scientist, Cell Production & Tissue Engineering, you’ll help transform cutting-edge cell science into the foundation for next-generation, tissue-engineered kidney grafts. In this highly collaborative role, you’ll lead the development, validation, and scale-up of robust methods for somatic cell reprogramming and the production, differentiation, and functional maturation of iPS-derived renal cells. You’ll design sophisticated experiments, establish meaningful analytical and physiological assays, evaluate emerging technologies, and partner with internal and external teams to move innovative cell-production processes toward GMP readiness. This is an exceptional opportunity for a scientist who enjoys solving complex biological challenges, mentoring others, and translating discoveries into reproducible manufacturing strategies.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in biomedical engineering, cell biology, molecular biology, or other related discipline or Master’s Degree in biomedical engineering, cell biology, molecular biology, or other related discipline or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in biomedical engineering, cell biology, molecular biology, or other related discipline
10+ years of relevant experience including experience in stem cell differentiation, reprogramming, bioreactor cell production scale up, regenerative medicine with a Bachelor's Degree or 8+ years of relevant experience including experience in stem cell differentiation, reprogramming, bioreactor cell production scale up, regenerative medicine with a Master's Degree or 5+ years of relevant experience including experience in stem cell differentiation, reprogramming, bioreactor cell production scale up, regenerative medicine, tissue engineering with a PhD
Technical expertise in iPS-reprogramming and/or expansion and differentiation methods
Ability to formulate hypotheses and design and perform sophisticated, technically challenging, and often novel experiments
Ability to identify the broad implications to findings, which transcend the immediate experiment
Ability to analyze and distill complicated, multi-dimensional data and synthesize results into a cohesive body of conclusions or recommendations for increasingly complex and diverse studies
Ability to identify, interpret, and disseminate relevant knowledge from publications in a broader scientific area
Experience with laboratory instrumentation and data software; Facility with appropriate word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and related standard software
Ability to mentor and motivate team members
Advanced written and oral communication skills

Nice To Haves

Experience in iPSC differentiation to endothelial and renal epithelial cells
Expertise in automated cell processing equipment such CliniMACS Plus, FACS, LOVO, Cue, Sepax, Sefia, Rotea and others
Knowledge in transfer of R&D cell expansion methods to GMP
Technical expertise in cell bioreactor culture including Ambr systems and vertical wheel bioreactors with scales up to 10L+

Responsibilities

Lead the development and implementation of robust process methods for the production of primary and/or iPS-derived renal cells
Lead the development and implementation of methods to mature iPS-derived renal cell phenotypes functionally and develop and implement physiologic assays to test this function in vitro
Lead and contribute to cell production efforts, including both internal and external manufacturing, to ensure the availability of high-quality cells for R&D cellularization initiatives supporting advanced organ therapeutics
Contribute to academic and industry collaborations and facilitate technology transfer activities, ensuring seamless integration of external innovations and methodologies into internal laboratory processes
Develop, implement, and oversee analytical methods for characterizing the quality and suitability of iPS-derived cells used in the generation of 3D printed organs
Independently and collaboratively design, execute, and oversee complex laboratory experiments and projects that advance program objectives. Exercise independent judgment in evaluating, selecting, and substantially adapting or modifying standard techniques, procedures, and criteria
Participate in the selection, acquisition, and implementation of laboratory equipment, ensuring alignment with research needs and operational efficiency
Develop, author, and review laboratory methods and protocols, ensuring scientific rigor, reproducibility, and compliance with regulatory standards
Act as a scientific lead in evaluating new technologies for future process development
Collaborate with manufacturing team to ensure process and methods for production of iPS-derived cells are GMP ready
Author and contribute to scientific publications and presentations at conferences. Lead or support patent and publication efforts, including the development of protocols, abstracts, posters, manuscripts, and study reports
Prepare and contribute to intellectual property (IP) and regulatory filings, ensuring that documentation meets internal and external requirements for innovation protection and compliance
May direct and manage team to include responsibilities for goal setting, performance reviews/management, coaching, mentoring and career development
Mentor and guide Associate Scientists and junior team members in research direction and experimental design
Perform all other duties as assigned