An exciting opportunity is available for an R&D Scientist with expertise in Vector Development to join a growing start-up. With state-of-the-art facilities and a robust pipeline of upcoming projects, this role offers the chance to contribute to innovative research and development.
Responsibilities:
The purpose of this role is to develop mammalian plasmid constructs for optimal expression of antibody therapeutics to be used in mammalian bioprocesses. As a Scientist you will be part of an innovative multidisciplinary team that will develop the next generation of mammalian expression systems & cells lines to enable highly productive pharmaceutical bioprocesses and, ultimately, more cost effective Immunotherapeutics.
• Design and screen mammalian gene expression plasmids for high and stable expression of therapeutic antibodies including bi-/tri-specific antibodies
• Design and optimise CRISPR knock-out and ORF libraries to be used in high throughput functional genomics pipelines
• Design, plan, and execute complex R&D experiments ensuring that deliverables are successfully met within timelines
• Document research findings clearly in a lab book
• Communicate regularly in group meetings and prepare and deliver presentations to project team and internal stakeholders
• Along with team members, provide routine laboratory maintenance, including participating in equipment upkeep, cleaning rotas and laboratory consumables stock management
• Shared responsibility for out-of-hours cell culture maintenance.
• Ensure that laboratory health, safety and quality procedures are followed
• Select, follow, and adapt experimental protocols and generate laboratory SOPs
• Support the preparation of laboratory risk assessments and maintenance of health and safety protocols
• Maintain the confidentiality of the project and protocols
• Keep abreast of current technologies and relevant scientific literature to help identify opportunity for improvements and reduction of costs
Experience Required
Essential Experience:
• BSc/MSc in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or related field
• BSc/MSc with 3+ years of industry experience or PhD with 1-2 years’ experience
• Extensive experience of designing, preparing and screening mammalian gene expression plasmids within the context of mammalian cell line development
• Experience of designing CRISPR knock-out and ORF libraries for high-throughput functional genomics screens
• Experience of working safely with 3rd generation lentiviral plasmid systems within a CAT2.0 environment
• Experience of designing mammalian gene expression constructs for Immunotherapeutics molecules eg. antibodies
• Experience of working with bioprocess relevant cell lines eg. CHO or HEK293
• Familiarity of mammalian cell line development including generation of GM/GE cell lines, single cell cloning and clonal screening
• Experience of mammalian cell culture and related techniques including passaging, banking, transfection, nucleofection & genotyping
• Skilled in molecular biology techniques including PCR, qRT-PCR, Western Blot, ELISA, plasmid preparation, plasmid cloning, site directed mutagenesis & FACS
• Experience of working with SnapGene or related software
• Skilled in experimental design and troubleshooting
• Ability to work independently and as part of team
• Good numeracy, computer and communication skills
• Experience of writing SOPs and risk assessment
Desirable Experience:
• Application of Design of Experiments (DOE) to rationalise experiment design
• Familiarity of working with large datasets including transcriptomic / proteomic datasets
• Experience with automation and high-throughput technologies applied to mammalian cell line generation eg. Beacon, 96 deep well plate model systems & Ambr15
£40k - £55k + Benefits