Associate Scientist - Upstream Process Development

The Associate Scientist II is responsible for performing assigned experimental tasks to support the development and optimization of cell line development and cell culture processes for Alexion’s therapeutic protein candidates. The Associate Scientist II will work in collaboration with other members of Product Development and Clinical Supply, and with scientific staff in other Research & Development groups as well as Manufacturing, Quality Assurance and Quality Control groups.

The Associate Scientist II will support and execute development studies for biologics lifecycle management and yield improvement with use of process intensification.

• Design and execute experimental studies to generate stable production cell lines for therapeutic protein candidates under supervision.
• Execute molecular biology activities to generate expression plasmids for therapeutic protein candidates under supervision.
• Design and execute experimental studies to evaluate new cell-based technologies to improve efficiency of cell line generation process.
• Design and execute experimental studies to develop, optimize, and characterize upstream processes for therapeutic protein candidates under supervision.
• Execute experimental studies to support scale up of processes at pilot scale.
• Document study results in notebooks, and technical reports.
• Coordinate laboratory management including ordering and maintenance.
• Communicate scientific findings to colleagues within the group through informal presentations.

• BS degree in Biology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline from an accredited university, with minimal 2 years of relevant industrial experience, or MS degree in Biology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline from an accredited university
• Understanding the fundamentals of biology, chemistry, and chemical engineering
• Strong learning agility to learn new techniques.
• The duties of this role are generally conducted in a lab environment. As is typical of a lab-based role, employees must be able, with or without an accommodation to: lift/carry 15/30 pounds unassisted/assisted; work comfortably in a controlled environment with and around biological, infectious, and hazardous materials; gown/degown PPE; use a computer; engage in communications via phone, video, and electronic messaging;
  
  engage in problem solving and non-linear thought, analysis, and dialogue; collaborate with others; maintain general availability during standard business hours.

• Relevant experience working in a relevant laboratory setting.
• Excellent written and verbal skills and strong people skills
• Collaborative and effective communication skills
• Experience with various MS Office programs, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Power Point