Scientist (Upstream), mRNA Drug Substance
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At GSK, we have bold ambitions for patients, aiming to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade. R&D is committed to discovering and delivering transformational vaccines and medicines to prevent and change the course of disease.
We believe the Greater Boston area is an important hub for the biotech and pharma industry, which is why we’ve invested in growing our footprint and expanding our R&D space in Cambridge, with a primary focus on additional state-of-the-art lab space. Here, we will bring together talent and expertise, building upon GSK’s long history of vaccine development, to create globally leading viral capabilities and cutting-edge vaccines technologies, as we add to our robust portfolio targeting infectious diseases at every stage of life.
The Nucleic Acid Vaccines Center of Excellence (NAV CoE), a global team within GSK’s Drugs Substance Vaccines Technical Research and Development organization, has as a mission to develop next generation mRNA Drug Substance vaccine platforms for rapid development of new vaccine candidates. It has branches in Rockville, US (to be moved to Cambridge, US in Q2 2025) and in Rixensart, Belgium.
We are looking for a motivated scientist with a strong background in nucleic acid research to join the NAV-CoE and work on delivering new mRNA vaccine candidates from development to the clinical manufacturing stages, a role located in Cambridge, MA USA, and reporting to the NAV-CoE head (Belgium based). The position will play a significant role in shaping current and next generation GSK’s leading mRNA vaccine platforms to accelerate addressing unmet medical needs, an exciting field having a direct impact into patients and global health. This role provides the opportunity to integrate a diverse group of top talented experts in vaccines’ industry, lead key activities and further grow and progress in your career.
Key Responsibilities:
As Scientist (Upstream) – mRNA Drug Substance, you will:
- Work within a global team, proactively collaborate transversally with all Drug Substance teams, Analytical R&D, GMP teams, etc, in an agile and open way ensuring good communication and alignment.
- Be a contributor to designing, driving and executing hands on the generation of stage-appropriate data and documentation packages for regulatory submissions using Quality by Design principles (Technical risk assessments, process characterization, etc)
- Hands on development work as required according to platform evolution
- Contribute to building the mRNA platform documentation and workflows, and integration within the downstream, analytical and other transversal teams within the global platform
- Document, summarize and present data
- Understand project timelines/deliverables, support, and coordinate cross-functional activities to achieve team and company goals.
- Design and execute experiments for developing and optimizing mRNA upstream unit operations
The successful applicant will spend 3-6 months within the first year in Rockville, MD to support and guarantee a smooth transition of methods and know-how to the new laboratories in Cambridge, MA
Basic Qualifications:
We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals:
- PhD with 0+ years' experience in bio-engineering, biochemistry, biotechnology, chemistry or equivalent or a master’s degree with 2 or more years of experience in bio-engineering, biochemistry, biotechnology, chemistry or equivalent.
- A minimum of 2 years’ experience mRNA-based vaccines or therapeutics.
Preferred Qualifications:
If you have the following characteristics, it would be a plus:
- Experience with Quality by Design and development of process for manufacturing of large biomolecules, specifically large size mRNA.
- Experience with large-scale DNA and RNA synthesis.
- Experience and understanding of nucleic acid analytical technologies.
- Two or more years of experience in research and development in Biopharmaceutical industry or government laboratory setting is a must.
- Excel at complex problem solving through critical thinking using knowledge gained through formal education, experience, and sound judgment.
- Independent, detail-oriented and organized.
- Good writing, communication and influencing skills.
- Interest for the laboratory work and lab management
- Team spirit
- Scientific curiosity
- Experience in technology transfer and scale-up of drug substance processes
- Experience in data analysis and DOE (Design of Experiments) and knowledge of QbD (Quality by Design)
- Understanding of operations and GMP manufacturing
- Good organization skills (day-to-day operations and lab management).
- Imprinted with a desire for excellence.
- Optimistic and open-minded.
#Vx-Cam
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Please visit GSK US Benefits Summary to learn more about the comprehensive benefits program GSK offers US employees.
Why GSK?
Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.
GSK is a global biopharma company with a special purpose – to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together – so we can positively impact the health of billions of people and deliver stronger, more sustainable shareholder returns – as an organisation where people can thrive. We prevent and treat disease with vaccines, specialty and general medicines. We focus on the science of the immune system and the use of new platform and data technologies, investing in four core therapeutic areas (infectious diseases, HIV, respiratory/ immunology and oncology).
Our success absolutely depends on our people. While getting ahead of disease together is about our ambition for patients and shareholders, it’s also about making GSK a place where people can thrive. We want GSK to be a place where people feel inspired, encouraged and challenged to be the best they can be. A place where they can be themselves – feeling welcome, valued, and included. Where they can keep growing and look after their wellbeing. So, if you share our ambition, join us at this exciting moment in our journey to get Ahead Together.
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