Associate Scientist, Oligonucleotide Process Development

Our mission:

Developing curative genome editing treatments that can positively transform the lives of people living with severe and life-threatening diseases.

At Intellia, we are committed to solving the complex challenges of making CRISPR/Cas9-based medicines a reality for patients suffering from genetic diseases and to create novel engineered cell therapies for immuno-oncological and autoimmune diseases.

Intellia is seeking a highly skilled and motivated (Sen.) Associate Scientist to join our new and growing synthetic nucleic acid process development (PD) team within technical operations. The primary responsibilities for this position are to develop, establish and evaluate processes for solid-phase synthesis and purification of modified and challenging oligonucleotide sequences for the CRISPR/Cas9 system related to both, ex vivo and in vivo applications. The scope of the oligonucleotide process development activities is informed by Intellia's cross-functional platform development team and will build the bases to define and optimize the manufacturing processes for the company's development pipeline, which may include transfer to external manufacturing organizations. The successful candidate will have a proven track record in oligonucleotide synthesis and purification as well as experience in a pharmaceutical or biotech industry setting.

Responsibilities:

• Assist setup of new oligonucleotide process development laboratory and supply chain. Work cross-functionally with SMEs in the company and establish process workflows and documentation.
• Help design and execute/monitor solid phase oligonucleotide synthesis to produce oligonucleotides at bench scale. Analyze effectiveness of the synthesis (monitoring, in-process tests) and identify opportunities for improvements with the team.
• Adopt conditions from external manufacturers and internal research for feasibility assessments. Work cross functionally with representatives of chemistry and analytical groups
• Perform hypothesis-driven and screening experiments to identify critical process parameters and conditions to improve the quality of the final product and/or the efficiency of workflows, while considering the constraints of downstream GMP manufacturing.
• Develop and test the applicability of PD modules for process evaluation of new sequences and establish/standardize workflow.
• Ensure process readiness for transfer, generate transfer data packages and documentation and support transfer activities
• Test and optimize scalable oligonucleotide purification methods under tight timelines
• Act as technical resource and author/review technical documentation such as SOPs, method documents, training documents, batch records and reports.
• Generate presentation materials and present data and findings to the group and cross functional teams
• Maintain current knowledge of the field and areas of scientific expertise

Qualifications:

• BS or MS in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology or related field with 5 or more years of experience in an industrial setting
• Hands-on experience with solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis and competency in operation of lab-scale oligonucleotide synthesizers
• Experience with chromatographic purification of oligonucleotides (MPLC and HPL, e.g. IEx, IP-RP) as well as general analytical techniques used for the analysis of DNA/RNA oligonucleotides (UV/fluorescence spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, sequencing applications)
• Knowledge of the principles of quality and GMP practices for manufacturing and testing is a plus
• High competence in common software and data analysis packages (e.g., Unicorn, Empower, SoftMax Pro, GraphPad Prism, Microsoft Office tools)
• Demonstrates creativity, problem-solving ability, and an operational vision for development workflows
• Highly organized individual, detail-oriented, and a self-starter who continuously seeks to improve the status quo.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills required.

#LI-KO1

What Intellia Stands For:

We push boundaries. We are focused on positively disrupting health care treatment of patients with genomic diseases. The values we live by and drivers we look for are:

- One is respect for individuals; our unique qualities and strengths; our own ways to understand, learn and improve. One is our single-minded determination to excel; to succeed together. One is you and us - trusting and counting on every single one of us.

- Explore because we seek new ways to tackle disease. Explore with unbounded minds...free from assumptions, open to ideas. Explore by staying curious, by pushing boundaries, overcoming obstacles. Explore means thinking of new ways.

- Disrupt by thinking courageously...and creating a better future. Disrupt by defying conformity; interrogating the status quo; questioning our momentum. Disrupt with challenging thoughts...with that breed of skepticism that shows you have better solutions.

- Deliver with your focus on the objective and your determination to complete the task. Deliver by advancing relentlessly and by maintaining high standards...even when nobody is watching. Deliver by staying accountable and pulling your weight. Deliver because patients are counting on us to make the promise reality. Get it done.

POSITION: Full-Time, Exempt

EEOC Statement: Intellia believes in a diverse environment, and is committed to equal employment opportunity for all its employees and qualified applicants. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Intellia will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.

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