Principal Scientist (Cell Therapy Process Development)

Location: Onsite in Waltham, Massachusetts, United States

Company

hirify.global is an R&D-driven, AI-powered biopharmaceutical company developing medicines and vaccines through immunoscience, advanced technologies, and patient-focused drug development.

What you will do

• Lead cell culture process scale-up from bench scale to pilot and manufacturing scales of 200L–2000L.
• Apply engineering principles covering mixing, mass transfer, shear stress, and dissolved oxygen control to ensure process comparability.
• Translate laboratory findings into robust, scalable manufacturing processes in collaboration with process development scientists.
• Lead root cause analysis investigations for pilot-scale process deviations and equipment failures.
• Review and approve job safety analyses, provide feedback, and train employees on safe and efficient operating practices.
• Present findings to senior management, external stakeholders, and industry audiences at national and international conferences.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering or a related discipline with at least 6 years of relevant large-scale bioreactor experience, or a Ph.D. with at least 4 years of relevant industry experience.
• Strong experience in cell culture bioreactor operations, scale-up technologies, and upstream process operations across multiple scales.
• Experience with perfusion process operations and cell culture process development in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry.
• Understanding of engineering principles applied to cell culture processes and operational excellence.
• Ability to lead matrix teams supporting operations and laboratory management.

Nice to have

• Experience managing cross-functional teams and initiatives.
• Cell culture process development experience for AAV manufacturing.
• Expertise in mammalian cell culture, cell metabolism, media optimization, cell biology, physiology, and cell culture scale-up/down fundamentals.
• Process automation experience.

Culture & Benefits

• Supportive, future-focused environment with opportunities for promotion or international career moves.
• Health and wellbeing benefits, including healthcare, prevention, and wellness programs.
• At least 14 weeks of gender-neutral parental leave.
• Work at the intersection of drug discovery, AI, data, and digital platforms.
• Contribute to drug development intended to improve outcomes for millions of patients worldwide.