What are the responsibilities and job description for the Technical Development Senior Scientist, Cell Line Development position at Vibrant Sciences?
Company Overview
Vibrant Wellness, headquartered in Santa Clara, California, is a pioneering biotechnology company dedicated to transforming human health through innovative diagnostics and therapeutics. Originally recognized for its leadership in personalized health testing, Vibrant Wellness has expanded its vision to include the development of advanced biotherapeutics. Based in the heart of Silicon Valley, our team of over 100 professionals leverages cutting-edge molecular biology and cellular engineering to create impactful solutions for chronic diseases and unmet medical needs. At Vibrant Wellness, we combine scientific precision with a passion for innovation, fostering a collaborative environment in our state-of-the-art Santa Clara facility.
Job Description
Vibrant Wellness is seeking an experienced Technical Development Senior Scientist, Cell Line Development to join our Biotherapeutics Division. This role will spearhead the design and development of stable cell lines for producing therapeutic proteins, with a focus on antibody-based therapies. The ideal candidate will excel in plasmid design based on complementarity-determining region (CDR) sequences, phage display library optimization, and CHO cell line development for clinical and commercial applications. This position offers a unique opportunity to drive therapeutic innovation in a dynamic, Silicon Valley-based biotech setting.
Key Responsibilities
- Plasmid Design and Construction: Design and construct plasmids encoding heavy and light chain genes based on identified CDR regions, integrating variable and constant domains for antibody expression.
- Phage Display Optimization: Utilize phage display libraries to screen, select, and optimize CDR sequences for enhanced antigen binding affinity and specificity.
- Cell Line Development: Develop and characterize high-producing, stable CHO cell lines for therapeutic protein production, including transfection, single-cell cloning, and selection of top clones.
- Expression Optimization: Optimize codon usage, vector design, and culture conditions to maximize yield and quality of recombinant proteins in CHO systems.
- Process Development: Collaborate with upstream process teams to transition cell lines from research to GMP-compliant manufacturing, ensuring scalability and stability.
- Analytical Validation: Perform and oversee assays (e.g., ELISA, flow cytometry, qPCR, Western blot) to assess productivity, monoclonality, and protein quality.
- Documentation: Maintain detailed experimental records and prepare technical reports for regulatory submissions (e.g., IND filings).
- Mentorship: Guide junior scientists and contribute to a culture of scientific rigor and innovation.
Qualifications
- Education: Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, or a related field; or M.S. with equivalent experience.
- Experience:
- 5 years of hands-on experience in cell line development, with a proven track record of creating CHO cell lines for therapeutic production.
- Demonstrated expertise in plasmid design and cloning based on CDR regions for antibody expression.
- Extensive experience with phage display libraries for CDR optimization and antibody engineering.
- Prior work in a biotech/pharma setting developing therapeutics is highly preferred.
- Technical Skills:
- Proficiency in molecular cloning techniques (e.g., Gibson Assembly, restriction enzyme digestion).
- Expertise in CHO cell culture, transfection (e.g., electroporation, lipofection), and single-cell cloning methods.
- Familiarity with bioinformatics tools (e.g., SnapGene, Benchling) for sequence design and analysis.
- Knowledge of GMP regulations and experience with CHO-based therapeutic production workflows.
- Soft Skills: Strong analytical mindset, excellent communication skills, and the ability to lead projects independently while thriving in a team environment.
- Preferred: Experience with bispecific antibodies, antibody fragments (e.g., scFv), or glycosylation optimization in CHO cells.
Why Join Vibrant Wellness?
- Contribute to pioneering therapeutic solutions from our new headquarters in Santa Clara, a hub of biotech innovation.
- Work in a modern facility with access to advanced tools and technologies.
- Competitive salary ($100,000–$150,000, based on experience) and comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, 401(k) etc.
How to Apply
Please submit your resume, a cover letter highlighting your experience with plasmid design, phage display, and CHO cell line development, and contact information for three professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Salary : $100,000 - $150,000