Technical Development Principal Scientist - Cell Therapy Process Development

Roche • South San Francisco, CA

2d • $120,800 - $224,300 • Onsite

About The Position

This role is a vital part of our Cell Therapy Process Development team within Genentech’s Pharma Technical Cell and Gene Therapy Development (PTCC) organization, which is committed to advancing next-generation cell therapies through innovative process development and cell culture research. As a member of this team, you will lead cutting-edge efforts to understand cell biology, ensure process consistency, and assess raw material impacts for a diverse range of cell therapy products. You will collaborate closely with multiple stakeholders within and outside PTCC/PTC, bringing your expertise in cell culture techniques and aseptic operations. This position offers the opportunity to establish highly productive, next-generation processes while fostering a collaborative, inclusive team culture focused on scientific rigor, strategic thinking, and problem-solving.

The Opportunity
In this role, you will drive cell culture experiments and process development initiatives tailored to a diverse portfolio of cell therapy products. You will provide scientific guidance to establish highly productive platform processes while serving as a key technical expert in cell therapy process development. Additional responsibilities include:
Designing and executing cell culture experiments to support further understanding of cell biology, process consistency, and the impacts of raw materials
Innovating and applying advanced technologies to improve cell culture performance and establish next-generation platform processes
Leading technology transfer initiatives and collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop robust cell-based therapies
Providing technical leadership and strategic guidance to technical/product teams, media preparation operations, raw material assessments, and supply chain partners
Cultivating a lean mindset focused on simplification and continuous improvement, while anticipating, identifying, and resolving complex issues
Interfacing effectively across the Cell Therapy Process Development department, PTC, other internal Genentech/Roche organizations, and external collaborators to drive impactful outcomes
Establishing thought leadership inside and outside the company through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and active participation in scientific meetings

Requirements

• BS, MS or PhD in biological sciences, chemical engineering, or a related discipline with 5+ years of relevant work experience in process development and cell culture techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and drive technical projects to completion through scientific rigor, strong organizational skills, and strategic problem-solving.
• Demonstrated strengths in fostering teamwork and collaboration with an inclusive mindset, embracing different perspectives and expertise to create a highly productive environment.
• Proven track record of building and maintaining strong relationships with partners, customers, and collaborators; excellent skills in influencing and communicating effectively across organizational boundaries.
• Proven track record of excellent verbal and written communication demonstrated through conference presentations, publications, and the ability to articulate scientific concepts to diverse stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

• Expertise in culture, expansion, and functional assessment of hESCs, iPSCs or MSCs and RPEs.
• Expertise in bioreactor process development, including defining process control strategies, P&ID requirements, and operational set-points for stirred-tank bioreactors.
• Experience with scaling up adherent cell lines in suspension.

Responsibilities

• Drive cell culture experiments and process development initiatives tailored to a diverse portfolio of cell therapy products.
• Provide scientific guidance to establish highly productive platform processes.
• Serve as a key technical expert in cell therapy process development.
• Design and execute cell culture experiments to support further understanding of cell biology, process consistency, and the impacts of raw materials.
• Innovate and apply advanced technologies to improve cell culture performance and establish next-generation platform processes.
• Lead technology transfer initiatives and collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop robust cell-based therapies.
• Provide technical leadership and strategic guidance to technical/product teams, media preparation operations, raw material assessments, and supply chain partners.
• Cultivate a lean mindset focused on simplification and continuous improvement, while anticipating, identifying, and resolving complex issues.
• Interface effectively across the Cell Therapy Process Development department, PTC, other internal Genentech/Roche organizations, and external collaborators to drive impactful outcomes.
• Establish thought leadership inside and outside the company through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and active participation in scientific meetings.

Benefits

• Relocation benefits are not available for this job posting.
• A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance.
• This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at link provided below.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree