Research Associate III (Downstream Purification)

Nektar has an exciting opportunity for a Research Associate III to join the External Manufacturing team working in the area of downstream purification.  The Research Associate III will participate in developing and characterizing recombinant protein production processes and supporting manufacturing of the same.  This position contributes to and supports the company’s research and development efforts to create high value therapeutics to address unmet medical needs.

Responsibilities:

• While exercising technical discretion, designs, executes and interprets experiments that contribute to project strategies.
• Performs day-to-day hands-on operation for development, optimization, and characterization of protein purification process (bacterial and mammalian) independently with minimal supervision.
• Operates liquid chromatography systems (mainly AKTAs).
• May be involved in technology transfer to CRO/CMO and oversight of process development, scale-up and GMP production activities at CMOs.

Additional Details:

• Maintains a high level of professional expertise through familiarity with current scientific literature.
• May participate in scientific conferences and contribute to scientific journals.
• Normally receives general instructions on routine work, detailed instructions on new assignments. Acts independently to determine methods and procedures on new assignments and may act as a principal investigator in conducting own experiments.
• Independently executes technical experiments following appropriate laboratory/technical procedures.
• Reviews outside literature, develops an interpretation and makes suggestions for direction. Produces competent, reproducible results to a high technical standard.
• Makes complex, detailed observations and analyzes data to provide an interpretation of results from which recommendations may be made.
• Uses professional concepts in accordance with company objectives to solve advanced technical problems and achieve objectives in creative and effective ways.
• Maintains accurate and well-organized laboratory records, worksheets, and notebooks. Prepares technical reports, summaries, protocols, presentations, and/or quantitative analyses. Maintains current training requirements.
• Maintains compliance to company Environmental Health and Safety policies, procedures and practices.
• Maintains knowledge of regulatory compliance requirements.
• Functions as a team resource across the organization able to perform a variety of tasks.

Requirements:

A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline is required. Equivalent experience may be accepted. A minimum of 5 years work experience in a research and/or development environment is required.

Additional Requirements:

• Must have excellent analytical skills, with hands-on laboratory experience. 
• Previous experience with protein purification at a lab scale is required and at a manufacturing scale is preferred.
• Must be familiar with the operation of liquid chromatography systems (mainly AKTAs).
• Experience with other downstream operations is a bonus.
• Familiarity with both mammalian and bacterial protein purification processes preferred but at least one of the two is necessary.
• Must have a demonstrated working knowledge of scientific principles.
• Must be able to demonstrate good decision-making skills.
• Must possess excellent oral and written communication skills as the position interfaces with various departments and external partners.
• Must be able to independently write reports.
• Must be able to demonstrate sound judgment within broadly defined practices and policies.
• Must have demonstrated problem solving abilities.
• Strong organizational skills are required.
• Strong computer skills with working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are required.
• Experience working in an FDA regulated environment is highly desired.
• Must be able to work well in and promote a team environment.
• Must be able to provide technical assistance to others in a wide range of laboratory-based activities/techniques.