Cell Line Development Scientist

Axle is a bioscience and information technology company that offers advancements in translational research, biomedical informatics, and data science applications to research centers and healthcare organizations nationally and abroad. With experts in biomedical science, software engineering, and program management, we focus on developing and applying research tools and techniques to empower decision-making and accelerate research discoveries. We work with some of the top research organizations and facilities in the country including multiple institutes at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Axle is seeking a Cell Line Development Scientist to join our vibrant team at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) supporting the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) located in Gaithersburg, MD
.

Benefits We

Offer:

• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• 401K match up to 5%
• Educational Benefits for Career Growth
• Employee Referral Bonus
• Flexible Spending Accounts:
  • Healthcare (FSA)
  • Parking Reimbursement Account (PRK)
  • Dependent Care Assistant Program (DCAP)
  • Transportation Reimbursement Account (TRN)

Position Overview

The Cell Line Development Scientist will support the planning and execution of research experiments within the laboratory’s overall research program. The role focuses on developing stable cell lines for vaccine and therapeutic protein candidates, including monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, and virus-like particles. It covers the full cell line development process, from plasmid preparation and transfection through clone selection, fed-batch analysis, and stability studies.

The role also includes small-scale process development, laboratory equipment support, documentation, and project coordination with project leads. A Master’s degree is required.

Certifications & Licenses

Master of Science (M.S.) in Biological Science

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biological Sciences

Field of Study

Biochemical Sciences

Software

Prism, Flow Jo, Word, PowerPoint, Excel

Skills

Monoclonal antibody and/or vaccine production

Technical reports, standard operating procedures, and data presentations

Cell line engineering technologies, including cell counting, high-throughput transfection, single-cell cloning, and flow cytometry

Aseptic technique and mammalian cell culture

Broad knowledge of state-of-the-art principles and theory

Provide reports (Ad-Hoc)

Statement of Work Details

Contribute to the development of stable cell lines for vaccine and therapeutic protein candidates, including monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, and virus-like particles.

Independently execute each step of the cell line development process: transfection, pool generation, single-cell cloning, clone expansion in static culture plates and shake flasks, fed-batch analysis, and clone stability studies.

Participate in cell line development platform design, optimization, and cycle-time reduction studies, including methods for clone selection, expansion, ranking, and characterization.

Generate stable pools and perform transient protein production to supply reagent-grade material.

Maintain, support, and track maintenance for core laboratory equipment, including the ViCell BLU cell counters used on all cell line development projects to count cells during passaging and fed-batch production.

Support the planning and execution of research experiments within the laboratory’s overall research program.

Prepare plasmid DNA using standard molecular cloning techniques, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR), restriction digest, and bacterial culture.

Use automated platforms for clone selection and screening.

Support laboratory staff on research projects and techniques.

Perform small-scale process development studies using various culture vessels,…