What are the responsibilities and job description for the R&D Scientist - Proliant Health & Biologicals position at The Lauridsen Group?
We are seeking a passionate and driven R&D scientist to spearhead process development projects. This key scientific role requires a candidate with a strong background in upstream & downstream process development, and cross-functional collaboration. The R&D scientist will establish fermentation capabilities to support downstream purification and tech transfer. They will also conduct bench, pilot, and scale up on downstream purification processes and collaborate closely with Quality and Operations to launch new products.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS:
PhD in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology or directly related field with 0-2 years of experiences; or a Master’s degree with 2-4 years of combined academic and industrial experiences.
Will consider candidates with relevant industry experience in lieu of Ph.D. or Master’s.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Support onboarding of bioreactors and supporting equipment.
- Support internal and external technology transfer of upstream fermentations using fungal and yeast systems for expressing recombinant proteins.
- Design experiments to optimize fermentations to support downstream purification process development and tech transfer.
- Develop SOPs to support bioreactor operation, cleaning and maintenance
- Develop downstream protein purification process at bench scale.
- Scale-up purification process to pilot scale to facilitate tech transfer to manufacturing scale.
- Troubleshoot and optimize processes for yield and meeting product requirements such as purity.
- Develop quality control procedures and methods for new products.
- Develop SOP’s, batch records, and processing documentation for scale-up and plant production.
- Work closely with manufacturing team to facilitate process scale-up, commercial production and troubleshooting production issues.
- Author reports, project related documents, summarize, and present scientific results.
- Track progress against project plans, provide regular status updates and communicate issues with management.
- Use scientific and product knowledge to support operations, quality and the technical operations team.
- Stay informed about industry trends and emerging technologies in upstream expression systems and downstream purification development.
- All other related duties as assigned.
SKILLS:
- Strong knowledge of protein chemistry, biochemistry or protein engineering is required.
- Experience in fermentation process development from flasks to fermenters, operation of bioreactors at bench-top to standalone scale, media composition and fermentation optimization.
- Protein purification techniques such as precipitation, flocculation, and chromatography.
- Experience using separation technologies such as centrifugation, tangential flow filtration, and depth filtration.
- Experience in operating bioreactors and bench scale HPLC/FPLCs.
- Ability to learn and operate pilot scale protein fractionation equipment: continuous flow centrifuge, ultrafiltration and chromatography.
- Experience developing assays, immunoassays, and analytical techniques to support process development.
- Analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Skilled at driving outcomes of experimental designs to ensure forward progress.
- Open to suggestion and embraces the ideas of other team members.
- Ability to independently scope R&D projects, identify key project milestones, and drive projects to conclusions.
- Support team members in research planning, resource utilization, and collaborative learning.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills to effectively communicate with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Travel up to 25%, domestic and international.
BASIC PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Approximate: 8-Hour Day (may be longer during peak season)
Key: Occasional = 0% - 33%
Frequent = 34% - 66%
Continuous = 67% - 100%
N/A = Not Applicable
Standing - Frequent
Sitting - Occasional
Walking - Occasional
Bending/Kneeling/Crouching/Stooping - Occasional
Climbing (stairs, ladders, etc.) - Occasional
Working on Heights:
Unprotected Heights - Occasional
Protected Heights - Occasional
Lifting Weights from 0 to 60 Pounds - Occasional
Push/Pull/Maneuver Equipment/Products/Materials
Weighing from 0 to 200 Pounds - Occasional
Being Around and/or Operating Moving Machinery/Equipment - Frequent
Operating a Vehicle (as a part of your job) - Occasional
Read/Monitor Gauges on Various Equipment/Machinery - Frequent
Hand Movements:
Recording Data - Frequent
Operating Office Equipment - Occasional
Operating Computer - Frequent
Simple Grasping (right and left) - Frequent
Firm Grasping (right and left) - Frequent
Fine Manipulating (right and left) - Frequent
Foot Movements to Operate Foot Controls - Occasional
Vision: Good Vision, Corrected to Normal; or Ability to
Access Required Information and to Perform Job Duties - YES
Color Definition Required: - YES
Hearing: Good Hearing, Corrected to Normal; or Ability to
Communicate/Understand Required Information and to Perform Job Duties - YES
Mobility: Ability to be mobile throughout required work areas.
Office - Occasional
Multiple Locations - Occasional
Plant - Frequent
Equipment/Maintenance or Repair Area - Frequent
Rough Terrain - Occasional
BASIC MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
This job requires the mental capabilities to analyze and apply techniques or methods in production process development. Furthermore, calculating abilities, comprehending complex information, and solving problems as they arise are also necessary in accomplishing the job duties.
WORKING CONDITIONS AND EXPOSURES:
Working conditions vary, a portion of the job duties occur within a general office environment. Laboratory working conditions exist with exposure to acidic and alkaline substances, noise, biohazards, odor, moving machinery, and occasional use of poisonous chemicals as well as extended periods of standing.
TRAINING:
Safety
On-the-job Training
Employee Handbook
Training Seminars / Classes
“Note: This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of the job duties and requirements associated with this job, but are intended to represent an accurate reflection of the current job.”
