Scientist Vpp (Biotech)

Location: Rockville, Maryland, with work supporting the NIH site in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Salary: $105,000–$115,000 USD base compensation per year.

Company

hirify.global is a bioscience and information technology company developing translational research, biomedical informatics, and data science applications for research centers and healthcare organizations, including the National Institutes of Health.

What you will do

• Develop, design, optimize, and purify downstream processes for recombinant proteins, monoclonal antibodies, subunit and nanoparticle vaccines, mRNA, mRNA-LNP, and virus-like particles used as clinical therapeutic or vaccine candidates.
• Develop and optimize pDNA linearization, mRNA in vitro transcription, chromatography, tangential-flow filtration, normal-flow filtration, depth filtration, and nano-filtration processes.
• Apply Design of Experiments and other statistical approaches to plan and optimize research experiments.
• Prepare and review CMC, process description, technology transfer, batch record, and other GMP manufacturing documentation, including support for IND filings and toxicology batches.
• Drive technology transfer of downstream processes to the laboratory pilot plant, support viral clearance validation, maintain equipment, and train staff in chromatography and filtration processes.
• Evaluate and communicate research data through reports, presentations, manuscripts, scientific meetings, and cross-functional CMC collaboration.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, or a related Life Sciences field; an M.S. degree with at least 6 years of relevant experience may be considered.
• 5–10 years of industry-relevant experience in recombinant protein process development for GMP clinical-phase products.
• Expertise in protein and mRNA purification and characterization, including AEX, CEX, affinity, SEC, and HIC column chromatography; column packing and testing; AKTA chromatography; laboratory-scale TFF and nano-filtration; SDS-PAGE; Western blot; and UV/Vis spectrophotometry.
• Knowledge and use of statistical Design of Experiments and other process optimization methods.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate and detailed records and familiarity with word processing, data evaluation, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, and Word.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional departments.
• Ability to work independently with minimal oversight, coordinate with junior staff, and serve as a functional lead or subject matter expert within an inter-department CMC team.

Culture & Benefits

• Collaborative work across purification, VPP, CMC, regulatory, laboratory, and manufacturing groups.
• 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees.
• Paid time off and paid holidays.
• 401(k) match of up to 5%.
• Educational benefits for career growth, employee referral bonus, and flexible spending accounts for healthcare, parking, dependent care, and transportation.