Research Associate - Vector Development

Research Associate- Vector Development
Location: Cambridge, MA

Company Information

Our client is committed to finding cures for patients with genetic diseases. The company is a spin-off from the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) and is based upon nearly 30 years of gene therapy research by our client's scientific founders. Our client is developing best-in-class treatment options for rare, devastating neurological and liver diseases. Its current pipeline focuses on new and effective treatments for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1, or AATD) and genetic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS.)

Position Overview
Our client is seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to join the Process Development Group with a focus on AAV vector optimization and production. The qualified candidate will develop and produce new research vectors to support preclinical activities aimed at defining preclinical studies for targets. The candidate will optimize production and purification strategies for unique serotype vectors being selected and support the development of a new scalable manufacturing platform technology using a suspension cell line. In addition, the candidate will qualify vectors produced for purity, potency, infectivity and determine titer using the latest technology. The candidate will help design and clone new vectors and optimize expression systems, to evaluate new chromatography columns and matrices for vector purification.

Significant cross-functional collaboration with a talented and dedicated group of scientists including molecular biologists, cell biologists, bioinformaticians and virologists will ensure a diverse exposure to the drug discovery process. As part of the team the candidate will have the opportunities to acquire new skills in an innovative and fast-paced environment. The position offers the opportunity to take part in and lead the rapid translation of pre-clinical work to application of our technology platform into the clinical setting.

Essential Functions and Duties

• Optimizing and performing assays to characterize the proprietary AAV gene therapy technology
• Cloning, transfection, DNA isolation and analyses, ddPCR, Western blot, TCID50
• Virus purification using Fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) and Tangential flow filtration (TFF)
• Maintenance of meticulous laboratory records, procedures and summaries of data
• Perform laboratory experiments and report data and suggest future work to project teams

Skills and Experience

• BS/MS or equivalent
• 1+ years of industrial/academic laboratory experience
• Proven ability to work independently and design experiments, trouble shoot, interpret and report data back to teams
• Experience with cell and molecular biology assays including maintenance of mammalian cell cultures, plasmid production, cell transfection and gel electrophoresis
• Highly analytical mind, attention to detail, and organization skills are critical
• Collaborative and proactive attitude
• Excellent written and oral communication skills