What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sr. Associate Scientist/Scientist (I), Analytical Development position at Aura Biosciences?
About Aura:
At Aura, our mission is to develop a new class of oncology targeted therapies that deliver meaningful therapeutic benefit to a range of cancer indications with high unmet need in which we believe we can establish a new standard of care. We are driven by our passion and commitment to science and the patients battling cancer who are relying on us to pioneer these new therapies.
We are focusing the initial development of our VDC technology platform to treat tumors of high unmet need in ocular and urologic oncology. AU-011, our first VDC candidate, is being developed for the first line treatment of primary choroidal melanoma, a rare disease with no drugs approved. Beyond primary choroidal melanoma, we are developing AU-011 in additional ocular oncology indications, including metastases to the choroid. Leveraging our VDCs’ broad tumor targeting capabilities, we have initiated a clinical program in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, or NMIBC, our first non-ophthalmic solid tumor indication.
Position Summary:
The Sr. Associate Scientist/Scientist (I) will play a key role in achieving Analytical Development (AD) objectives to support Aura Biosciences' mission of developing safe and effective therapies using virus-like particle (VLP)-based technologies. This position involves spending over 80% of the time at the bench, primarily providing analytical results in support the process team.
Overall Responsibilities:
- Deliver analytical results promptly to the process team using analytical methods pertinent to the qualitative and quantitative characterization of biologic test samples.
- Conduct routine analytical testing and method development projects, as needed.
- Maintain high quality documentation and records in electronic lab notebooks following good laboratory practices.
- Troubleshot analytical methods.
- Perform data trending and analysis using logistic fitting methods, including software for statistical analysis and presentation.
- Author technical protocols and reports, assay summaries, study design and protocols, SOPs, as required.
- Establish and maintain familiarity with contemporary industrial standards, practices, technologies, literature, and ways of performing lab studies.
Minimum Requirements:
Knowledge, Skills & Capabilities:
- Expertise in biophysical analysis of virus-like particles (VLPs) is preferred.
- Analytical understanding of various Biologic modalities (e.g., mAb, antibody-drug conjugate, fusion protein) is desired.
- Experience in LC workflows and a strong fundamental understanding of separation science, chromatography, and column-method development is required
- Working knowledge of analytical instrumentation: SE-HPLC, RP-HPLC, DLS, NTA, flow imaging, fluorometry, and other particle-based technologies is desired.
- Knowledge and firsthand experience in one or more of the following areas involving biological molecules: ELISA, gel electrophoresis (SDS/WB), plate-based spectroscopy (UV/Vis), binding affinity, SPR, flow cytometry, Octet, and other biological methodologies is preferred.
- Capable of managing priorities, effectively communicating across development teams, and meeting deadlines within tight timelines.
- Once fully trained can function independently or under minimal supervision.
- Fundamental understanding of method development, qualification, and transfer of analytical methods.
- Effective communication, critical thinking, technical writing, and critical thinking skills
- Working knowledge of statistical methods for data analysis (e.g., JMP) is a plus.
- Problem solving ability for issues related to analytical development and sample testing.
- Ability to draft accurate protocols/reports.
Education & Relevant Work Experience:
- A BSc degree in a relevant scientific discipline e.g., Analytical Chemistry/Biochemistry, or MSc or BSc with 2 years of biotech industry experience.
- Experience in handling and testing protein samples to support process development. Familiarity with drug conjugates and viral particles is advantageous.
Physical & Travel Requirements:
- Open to travel to CTLs and CDMOs, as needed (<10%)
