Senior Scientist I, Protein & Antibody Production

SUMMARY/JOB PURPOSE:

As a member of the Biotherapeutics group, the incumbent will play a key role in supporting the groups discovery and preclinical development efforts by possessing skills and experience in recombinant antibody production and purification/characterization and/or cell line development. The incumbent will be responsible for delivering high quality antibody leads for further development as potential therapeutic candidates or as ADCs. The ideal candidate will have excellent skills and experience in antibody production and characterization including but not limited to upstream protein production (antibody engineering, mammalian cell culture and harvest experience). Downstream protein/antibody experience (protein purification and analytical assessment of antibodies for purity, developability, and stability) and in vitro assessment of antibody binding and function is a plus. Candidates cross-trained on CLD applications (suspension CHO cell culture experience) are encouraged to apply.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Produce high-quality recombinant antibodies, bispecific antibodies and recombinant proteins to support the groups discovery and pipeline efforts

• Evaluate, select, manage, and track activities of external CROs, as needed, to support all protein production/characterization needs

• Be proficient in transient expression technologies (HEK, CHO) to support protein production efforts

• Onboard and optimize stable cell lines for antigen and antibody production

• Provide scientific input on protein/antibody production and characterization to support the discovery and preclinical development of biotherapeutic candidates

• Play a key role in assessing protein structure/function and protein quality as applied towards the evaluation of biologics for developability and large-scale manufacturing

• Comply with company health and safety policies and general laboratory practices

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

No supervisory responsibilities

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

Education:

• Bachelors degree in related scientific discipline such as molecular biology, biochemistry, biology or microbiology and a minimum of seven (7) years of experience in the biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry; or,

• Masters degree in related scientific discipline such as molecular biology, biochemistry, biology or microbiology and a minimum of five (5) years of experience in the biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry.

• PhD degree in related scientific discipline such as molecular biology, biochemistry, biology or microbiology and zero (0) years of experience in the biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry.

• Equivalent combination of education and experience

Experience:

• Experienced and knowledgeable with demonstrated proficiency and proven track record in mammalian cell culture and mammalian protein expression

• Extensive hands-on experience in applying mammalian transient expression technologies (HEK, CHO) to support both large scale as well as miniature scale (96w, 24w) medium throughput protein expression

• Hands-on experience in mammalian cell pool development and single cell clone generation for research as well development/manufacturing applications highly preferred

• Experience with state-of-the art technologies to support ongoing protein/antibody production and characterization needs, including flow cytometry, ELISA, and high content imaging assays preferred

• Experience writing summaries and reports, and analyzing, interpreting and presenting scientific data/results to internal and external collaborators

• Knowledgeable in the purification of proteins and antibodies using various modes of chromatography (affinity, size-exclusion, ion-exchange and HIC)

• Knowledgeable in protein and antibody characterization suitable to ensure developability and large-scale manufacturing

Knowledge/Skills:

• Solid understanding of mammalian protein/antibody expression (both transient and stable), structure, activity, and biochemical/biophysical characterization

• Extremely strong attention to technical detail and willingness to cross-train

• Ability to set goals with an understanding of priorities and impact to programs, the department and the organization

• Strong communication skills for interacting with external CRO scientists and representatives

• Ability to design and execute activities/studies aimed at producing and characterizing recombinant proteins/antibodies, to interpret experimental results and to formulate conclusions and next steps based on the data generated

• Familiarity with general components of biologics formulation and CMC is a plus

• Experience with automation is highly desirable (Tecan, Hamilton, etc)

• Prior experience with electronic laboratory notebook documentation and workflow management is a plus

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Environment: primarily working in laboratories or in office

• Exposures encountered: Potential exposure to hazardous chemicals/materials.

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If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across severalU.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets. The base pay range for this positionis $116,000 - $165,500 annually. The base pay range may take into account the candidates geographic region, which will adjust the pay depending on the specific work location. The base pay offered will take into account the candidates geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, experience and internal equity, among other factors.In addition to the base salary, as part of our Total Rewards program, Exelixis offers comprehensive employee benefits package, including a 401k plan with generous company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts. Employees are also eligible for a discretionary annual bonus program, or if field sales staff, a sales-based incentive plan. Exelixis also offers employees the opportunity to purchase company stock, and receive long-term incentives, 15 accrued vacation days in their first year, 17 paid holidays including a company-wide winter shutdown in December, and up to 10 sick days throughout the calendar year.

DISCLAIMER
The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.