Research Associate II (Protein Expression)

Position Summary

This position is responsible for transient mammalian expression of recombinant proteins and generation, maintenance, and scale-up of stable cell lines.

Essential Functions

• High-throughput transient monoclonal antibody (mAb) expression from 24-well plates to large shake-flask cultures.
• Stable cell line and stable pool generation, scale up & maintenance (including but not limited to HEK293 and CHO) for recombinant protein and antibody production.
• Large-scale fed-batch culture of stable CHO clones and pools to provide gram-scale quantities of mAbs for further analysis.
• Transient transfection of HEK293 and CHO cells for routine recombinant protein production.
• Routine cleaning and maintenance of incubator shakers and hoods.
• Summarizes experimental data and present findings at internal project and department meetings, and recommends next steps.
• Maintain organized and accurate records/lab notebooks.
• Follow and adhere to SOPs and laboratory safety regulations.
• Contribute to the general laboratory environment, act a good steward/citizen and suggest and promote good laboratory policies.

Competencies

• Ability to work independently and perform experiments to a very high standard.
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks of varying priorities and function in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to plan ahead, anticipate bottlenecks and potential risks, and then communicate accordingly.
• Capacity to organize assignments and to work within deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively as a team player in a complex, changing environment.
• Effective interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate clearly (written and verbal), and to report and present experimental results and analysis to department and project team colleagues.
• Self-motivated, independent, and results-oriented.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus in order to read.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job, typically in an open office environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position requires working with biological and/or chemical hazards

Requirements

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelors' degree in Biological Sciences (or related degree) and least 2+ years related experience; or Masters' degree and 0 years experience. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in stable cell line generation, mammalian cell culture and bioproduction. Experience within the field of antibody research is a plus.
• Experience with CHO stable cell line generation & screening for optimal expression by ELISA is a plus.
• Experience with other cell types (bacterial, yeast, baculovirus) for protein production is a plus but not required.

Knowledge Requirements

• Strong scientific knowledge of recombinant protein expression
• Mammalian cell culture and cell transfection methodologies
• Proficiency working with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Proficiency with sequence analysis software is preferred, including sequence alignments, structure prediction and similarity searches.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or other legally protected status.