Manufacturing Scientist

Fortis partners with diagnostics and life sciences companies to design, validate, and manufacture solutions to solve their complex development problems. Fortis’ tailored approach and end-to-end capabilities accelerate the work of its customers as they bring the next generation of medicines and diagnostics to market. Fortis serves a global customer base and has offices across the world including four R&D sites and three GMP and ISO 13485-compliant manufacturing facilities in North America.

Empirical Bioscience, is a Fortis Life Sciences company, headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and is an ISO 13485 (2016) Certified, FDA-registered developer, and manufacturer of enzymes, proteins, and reagents for Molecular Biology and Life Science applications. Empirical focuses on supplying premium, quality, and custom-configured products to the Life Science industry for both research and commercial applications.

Empirical Bioscience is seeking a Manufacturing Scientist for a full-time position at our facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Job Summary

Manufacture products for customers and internal reagents for internal use following detailed protocol instructions under the direction of the Manufacturing Manager/Senior Manufacturing Scientist.

Job Responsibilities

• Prepares products and internal reagents such as buffers, salt solutions, resuspensions, and master mixes using aseptic technique in an ISO/GMP environment.
• Overexpression and harvesting of pellets containing protein of interest using aseptic technique.
• Performs protein purification and cell culture while following detailed Standard Operating Procedures.
• Manually aliquot, cap, and label product kit components as needed.
• Recordkeeping of manufacturing documentation and general laboratory maintenance.
• Maintains glassware by picking up, cleaning, washing, sterilizing, and distributing.
• Maintains laboratory supplies available by inventorying stock and preparing supplies when needed.
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; has experience reading and interpreting technical publications and willing to further knowledge relating to the position.
• Assists in confirming new products as they are transferred into manufacturing by Tech Transfer.
• Shows a willingness to expand the parameters of this position and contribute to the increased productivity of the position.
• Follow the Manufacturing schedule and complete relevant SOP documentation.
• Performs multiple tasks daily with accuracy and thoroughness in a fast-paced, data-driven environment.
• Is attentive to detail with all measurements, calculations, equipment settings, and documentation.
• Assists project team in interpretation of results and troubleshooting, attends and participates in group and project meetings.
• Shows a willingness to expand the parameters of this position and contribute to the increased productivity of the position.
• Maintain a strict adherence to all safety procedures and show reasonable aptitude for recognizing potential safety challenges to themselves and others.
• Other work-related duties may be assigned by your manager as the business and work evolves.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) in a technical field of science (Biochemistry, CMB, Biology, Chemistry) plus a minimum 2 years of industry experience

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Experience with the use of laboratory equipment such as pipettes, micropipettes, pH meters, spectrophotometer, autoclaves, industrial dishwashers, centrifuge, and scale
• Minimum of 1-year experience in relevant laboratory techniques: Column chromatography, protein gel electrophoresis, bacterial cell culture, micro pipetting, DNA isolation, safe handling of chemicals, dilution and buffer calculation and preparation
• Mathematical skills
• General computer knowledge and excellence in Microsoft Office Excel and PowerPoint
• Good organizational skills and attention to detail
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Working knowledge of ISO 13485 and cGMP requirements preferred
• Must be able to maintain project deadlines to meet aggressive timelines.
• Willingness to be flexible and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.

What We Offer

We have an incredibly talented group of intelligent, down-to-earth individuals who are committed to developing and manufacturing only the highest quality products. Our mission: “Pursuing a Healthier World by Creating Tomorrow’s Science Today” is complemented by our core values (EXCITE):

Excellence – We believe in solving for root cause. No shortcuts, no “band-aids”

Customer First – We prioritize the experience and outcomes of our customers above all.

Integrity – We are honest and accountable, holding ourselves to a high standard of ethical conduct.

Trust – We believe an engaged, empowered team begins with a foundation of trust. We trust our team members to make the right decisions and to be driven by and evaluated on results.

Entrepreneurship – We encourage smart risk taking. We value novel mistakes in the pursuit of innovation.

Fortis provides a competitive salary, success-sharing bonus plan, medical, dental, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) plan. We are an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.