Senior Associate Scientist (Contract), Upstream Polysaccharide Process Development

Experience in handling microorganisms with proper aseptic techniques to perform upstream processing related work in flasks/bioreactors.

Hands-on experience and theoretical understanding of key processing operations such as microbial culture, fermentation process, microbial media, and process optimization and relevant analytical technologies; experience with depth filtration, continuous centrifugation is a plus.

Develop and optimize scripts for instrumentation, including Ambr® systems, to enhance efficiency and automate processes, leveraging programming languages such as Python or R is a plus.

Experience with Design of Experiments (DoE) principles and DoE software.

Process characterization experience is a plus.

Cell banking expertise, colony selection and genetic analysis of recombinant strains is a plus.

Support in study design, execute, and analyze experiments for upstream polysaccharide for bacterial fermentation (BSL2) and vaccine production processes.

Execute experiments to develop the upstream process parameters (e.g., media, feed, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, agitation, etc.) and to enhance product yield, quality, and consistency.

Perform microbiology related work including plating, colony selection, Gram staining and cell enumeration on microscope.

Perform fermentation vessel assembly and script writing for process automation and execute fermentation experiment in shake-flask and lab scale bioreactors.

Prepare media and buffer as needed for experiments.

Operate and maintain instrumentation for bacterial fermentation and primary recovery (centrifugation, filtration, etc.) of bacterial polysaccharides utilizing aseptic techniques.