Nextonic Solutions is seeking a highly ambitious, adaptable, structured, and detail-oriented Scientist to join our vibrant team at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Vaccine Research Center (VRC), for the Vaccine Production Program (VPP).
Responsibilities
- Support the Downstream Process Development (purification) group of the Vaccine Production Program (VPP) at the Vaccine Research Center.
- Develop downstream processes for recombinant proteins such as monoclonal antibodies, subunit or nanoparticle vaccines, and virus-like particles (VLPs) that may be used as clinical therapeutic or vaccine candidates.
- Work independently and collaboratively within the purification group to design, develop and optimize chromatography, Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF), and Normal Flow Filtration (NFF) processes for all clinical trial vaccine candidates.
- Apply process optimization techniques, such as Design of Experiments (DoE) or other statistical design approaches.
- Support Viral Clearance Validation studies by traveling to CMO/CRO sites to perform and oversee viral clearance chromatography and filtrations processes.
- Purify research-phase recombinant proteins, virus vaccines and/or virus-like particles in support of other groups at the VRC.
- Analyze and compile data, present at various group/department meetings.
- Pursue novel technologies to advance the capabilities of the VPP.
- Write and review technical reports and method protocols.
- Write and review process batch records for toxicology batch productions.
- Write and review technology transfer documents in support of GMP manufacturing.
Experience Required / Requirements
- Ph.D. in a Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or other life sciences is required.
- Demonstrated knowledge of maintaining accurate and detailed records.
- Demonstrated proficiency in the following techniques or tools for protein purification and characterization:
- Column chromatography for protein purification by means of AEX, CEX,affinity, SEC, HICoAKTA chromatography system
- Qualitative assays including SDS-PAGE and Western BlotoUV/vis spectrophotometer
- Proficiency in the following is highly-desirable, but not required:
- Column packing and testing
- Lab scale TFF systems
- Lab scale nano-filtration systems
- Qualitative assays including SDS-PAGE and Western BlotoUV/vis spectrophotometer
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Familiarity with computer software including word processing and data evaluation.