Principal Scientist, Lentivirus Upstream Process Development

TL;DR

Principal Scientist, Lentivirus Upstream Process Development (Lentivirus/Upstream Process Development): Designing, optimizing, and scaling upstream production processes for lentiviral vectors to deliver high-quality, high-titer vector products with an accent on GMP-ready upstream processing, bioreactor scale-up/scale-down modeling, and technology transfer. Focus on solving complex process comparability challenges across manufacturing scales while maintaining phase-appropriate, patient-focused execution.

Location: Somerset, New Jersey, United States

Salary: $146,410 - $192,164 USD (base pay)

Company

hirify.global is a global biotechnology company developing advanced cell therapies, including lentiviral vector-based immunotherapies.

What you will do

• Design and execute upstream production strategies for lentiviral vectors, including seed train expansion, HEK293/HEK293T suspension cell culture, and transient transfection optimization.
• Develop and optimize feed batch/perfusion bioprocessing in stir-tank and rocker bioreactors.
• Build and validate bioreactor scale-up and scale-down models to ensure process comparability and predictability across manufacturing scales.
• Translate bench-scale processes to GMP manufacturing, supporting technology transfer and troubleshooting during clinical production runs.
• Lead study protocol execution (operating parameters, feeding strategies, performance limits) and manage USP knowledge for upstream process data.
• Author and review technical documents (development reports, SOPs, and IND CMC sections) and collaborate with downstream and analytical development teams.

Requirements

• Advanced degree (PhD preferred, or MS) in Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Virology, Molecular Biology, or a related field.
• 8+ years (PhD) or 10+ years (MS) of experience in process development or manufacturing in a biotech or pharmaceutical setting.
• Deep hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture (HEK293, HEK293T), seed train expansion, feeding strategy, and transient transfection optimization for viral vectors (lentivirus preferred).
• Proven expertise in developing and implementing bioreactor scale-up and scale-down models.
• Strong understanding of GMP manufacturing requirements and CMC strategies for early-phase clinical trials.
• English: required; Mandarin is a plus.

Culture & Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance plus a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Eight (8) weeks of paid parental leave after three (3) months of employment.
• Paid time off including vacation, personal time, sick time, floating holidays, and eleven (11) company holidays.
• Additional voluntary benefits such as flexible spending and health savings accounts, life/AD&D insurance, and disability coverage.
• Base pay range is for permanent full-time employees; contractors are not eligible for benefits.

Hiring process

• Interviews to assess technical depth in upstream lentiviral vector process development and GMP/CMC experience.
• Evaluation of leadership, communication, and ability to troubleshoot and drive process improvements under development timelines.