Sr. Scientist – Process Development

Avantor•Bridgewater Township, NJ

3d•$107,500 - $173,075

About The Position

Under limited supervision, the Sr. Scientist – Process Development develops and implements solutions for customers based on Avantor’s products and services, collaborating closely with customers and innovation associates and scientists. The role identifies and develops product applications to address customer needs by planning and conducting hands-on studies in internal and customer laboratories. The position designs, develops, and optimizes end-to-end mRNA manufacturing processes, from DNA template generation and in vitro transcription through enzymatic processing, purification, buffer exchange, and formulation interfaces. It develops scalable workflows and applies process-development methods, statistical tools, and data-driven troubleshooting to improve process yield, purity, quality, robustness, and manufacturability. The scientist collaborates with analytical, manufacturing, quality, formulation, and regulatory teams on process characterization, control strategies, technology transfer, and commercial readiness. The role also documents development work, supports GMP-related documentation and investigations, evaluates emerging technologies and external partners, presents technical recommendations, and mentors junior scientists. Avantor describes itself as a global team of more than 14,000 associates and an equal opportunity employer. The position’s expected pre-tax pay range is $107,500–$173,075, with actual pay depending on factors such as experience and geographic location.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Chemical or Biochemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biotechnology, or a related field.
At least 5 years of relevant industry experience in mRNA, RNA, nucleic acid, biologics, or pharmaceutical process development; doctoral or relevant academic experience may be considered equivalent to industry experience.
Strong understanding of mRNA process development, including DNA template generation, in vitro transcription (IVT), enzymatic processing, purification, and analytical characterization.
Hands-on experience with nucleic acid process development, molecular biology techniques, and scalable manufacturing processes.
Knowledge of process-development principles, including DOE, QbD, process characterization, scale-up, risk assessment, and CPP/CQA relationships.
Experience troubleshooting complex technical challenges, interpreting multidisciplinary data, and developing data-driven solutions.
Excellent technical writing, presentation, project leadership, and cross-functional communication skills.

Nice To Haves

End-to-end mRNA development experience from DNA template preparation through purified mRNA and formulation interface.
Experience with IVT, capping/polyadenylation, chromatography, TFF/UF-DF, process scale-up, technology transfer, or GMP manufacturing support.
Familiarity with high-throughput automation, continuous manufacturing, process intensification, PAT, or advanced manufacturing technologies.
Experience with mRNA analytical techniques such as HPLC/UPLC, LC-MS, CE, qPCR/ddPCR, Bioanalyzer/TapeStation, sequencing, or impurity analysis.
Experience applying DOE, QbD, JMP, Minitab, Python, R, or related statistical and data-analysis tools.
Exposure to GMP/GLP environments, regulatory documentation, method qualification, validation, or technology transfer activities.
Experience evaluating emerging technologies, vendors, CDMOs, external collaborations, or technical due diligence opportunities.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and optimize end-to-end mRNA manufacturing processes, including DNA template generation, IVT, enzymatic processing, purification, buffer exchange, and formulation interfaces.
Develop robust, scalable workflows to improve mRNA yield, purity, quality, process robustness, and manufacturability.
Apply DOE, QbD, risk assessment, and statistical tools to understand processes and establish relationships between process parameters and product quality attributes.
Collaborate with Analytical Development to characterize mRNA identity, integrity, purity, potency-related attributes, and process impurities.
Troubleshoot process and product-quality challenges using scientific and data-driven approaches, root cause analysis, and risk mitigation.
Author technical reports, development summaries, risk assessments, SOPs, study protocols, and regulatory-support documentation.
Evaluate and demonstrate emerging technologies, including synthetic DNA, novel purification approaches, automation, process intensification, and continuous manufacturing concepts.
Support process characterization, control strategy development, and implementation of CPPs, CQAs, in-process controls, and process-monitoring strategies.
Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, analytical, formulation, and regulatory teams to support successful process transfer and commercial readiness.
Participate in deviation investigations, change controls, root cause analyses, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Support GMP documentation, including batch records, SOPs, process transfer packages, and validation-related documentation.
Assess external technologies, vendors, CDMOs, and strategic collaboration opportunities through proof-of-concept studies, technical due diligence, and workflow integration assessments.
Present technical findings, recommendations, and development strategies to project teams, cross-functional stakeholders, and senior leadership.
Mentor junior scientists and contribute to scientific excellence, innovation, safety, and operational rigor.
Develop and implement customer solutions in collaboration with customers and innovation associates or scientists, including planning and conducting hands-on studies in internal and customer laboratories.

Benefits

Medical coverage
Dental coverage
Vision coverage
Wellness programs
Health savings account
Flexible spending accounts
401(k) plan with company match
Employee stock purchase program
11 paid holidays
18 PTO days accrued annually
Volunteer time off
Six weeks of 100% paid parental leave, except in states that offer paid family leave