Scientist II, Virology and Gene Therapy
Thermo Fisher Scientific

Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions
Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.)

Job Description

Position Summary

Join our interdisciplinary team of development scientists in Hunt Valley, MD. We need a creative scientist experienced in cell culture, virology, gene therapy, and biotechnology applications. Support ongoing studies, complete study plans, and analyze scientific data. Come join our team!

Responsibilities

• Support developing products and driving innovation on vaccine and gene therapy focused projects
• Work in BSL-2+ biocontainment laboratories with all relevant assays and culture systems.
• Support scientifically robust experimental plans by completing experiments, analyzing data, interpreting results, and sharing findings with the team
• Exercise practical judgment while exhibiting creativity and foresight in selecting approaches and techniques for acquiring innovative solutions
• Support multiple projects simultaneously to assess new technologies, develop novel products, support customer needs, and drive process efficiencies.
• Ensure efficient lab operations through routine activities such as adherent and suspension cell culture maintenance, media/feed/supplement preparation, and maintenance of equipment, reagents and supplies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for the commercialization of new products to meet customer needs
• Keep detailed lab records and training files that meet Thermo Fisher's standards and international compliance requirements (e.g., ISO, GLP/GMP).
• Perform duties independently with only general direction given
• Follow all company safety, training, and quality regulations and procedures

Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's degree with 3 years of proven experience or Master's degree in Virology, Microbiology, Biology or related field or equivalent knowledge and experience.
• Experience with mammalian cell cultures, handling/infectivity techniques of multiple viruses, and ability to perform and report technical work in containment laboratory (BSL2+)

Minimum Qualifications:

• Experience with AAV, Lentivirus, Adenovirus and/or other Gene Therapy workflows (e.g., DNA transfection, viral transduction, viral infection)
• Experience performing various immuno- and nucleic acid assays
• Experience in adherent and suspension mammalian cell cultures (e.g., HEK293, Vero, MDCK)
• Experience with virus infectivity culture and assays, including dPCR, qPCR, ELISA, and TCID50 or other methods for determining titer.
• Strong collaboration orientation with ability to work independently and as a teammate
• Experience in data analysis, research design, troubleshooting, and the evaluation of new techniques and procedures.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with experience presenting scientific results in a clear, concise manner.
• Ability to efficiently evaluate and adapt to changing project priorities

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior industrial experience, particularly in process development and/or cell culture media formulation
• Excellent understanding of viral vaccine technologies and/or gene therapy technologies from development through manufacturing,
• Experience with insect cell lines
• Experience using DOE tools and methodologies
• Understanding of next generation sequencing
• Knowledge or experience with biocontainment facilities and procedures, laboratory safety, and decontamination
• Proficiency in operating bench-top stirred tank bioreactors and/or high efficiency cell culture technologies (e.g. ambr15)

Compensation and Benefits
The salary range estimated for this position based in Maryland is $72,600.00-$108,900.00.

This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:

• A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs
  
• Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement
  
• At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy
  
• Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan
  
• Employees' Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount
  

For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards

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