Scientist (Downstream Processing)

ESCO ASTER PTE LTD; Singapore; On-site; SGD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Esco Aster Pte Ltd, part of Esco Lifesciences Group, is recruiting for a scientist to join the CDMO downstream team. You will develop and optimize downstream unit operations for adherent and suspension cells used in cultivated meat, including exosomes and viral vectors, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.

The role entails planning experiments, analyzing data, drafting protocols and SOPs, validating new equipment, and maintaining data integrity in a fast-moving, GMP-like

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s/Master’s/Doctorate in Biological Sciences or related engineering.
• 3–5 years’ experience in life-sciences labs with downstream purification.
• Experience in downstream unit operations and exosome purification.

Responsibilities

• Develop downstream unit operations for adherent and suspension cells for cultivated meat.
• Design, plan, execute, and supervise experimental programs.
• Analyse and interpret experiment data to draw scientific conclusions.
• Perform wet lab and related clinical trial material activities for downstream operations and analytics.
• Support and train subordinates on downstream techniques and operations.
• Author or review protocols, reports, technology transfer and training documents with conclusions.
• Record data promptly and maintain data integrity.
• Assist in procurement, vendor assessment, and equipment calibration.

Skills

Data interpretation

Protocol authoring

SOP writing

Laboratory teamwork

Education

Biological Sciences / Engineering degree (Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD)

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Esco Lifesciences Group is Singapore’s most globalized life sciences company, with annual revenues close to SGD 200M and global operations in over 42 locations and 26 direct countries across North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania.

Esco Aster Pte Ltd is an affiliate of Esco Lifesciences Group and was first incorporated in 2017.

Esco Aster is a contract research development and manufacturing organization founded and deeply rooted by scientists enabling fellow scientists to translate their bench work into commercially available products at affordable prices.

Our scientific work is in emerging and frontier biology utilizing cells as a final product or deriving products from cells which often we use cells as the factory to derive our target product.

Our first commercial breakthrough success is Esco Aster is commercially first in class being first in the world to be certified for cultivated/cell-based meat to FSSC 22000 and by a competent food regulatory body.

We are first in the region to operate an end-to-end integrated full cell line creation/immortalization or engineered cell line, cell culture process development, analytical development for stem cells and exosomes with full cGMP Capabilities from Drug Substance and small-scale fill & finish for final Cell Therapy Product.

The work we do creates a remarkable and lasting impact on our world. We offer you an opportunity to be part of this exciting journey to own your career and firsthand exposure to new emerging modalities supporting translational sciences.

Who we’re looking for

• Ability to read, analyse and interpret scientific data and publications.
• Ability to author or review protocols, technical reports and technology transfer documents.
• Ability to author or review standard operating procedures and other related documents.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw conclusions.
• Ability to focus.
• Repetitive motions due to certain laboratory techniques.
• Ability to adapt and keep up with rapid changes in a fluid and dynamic environment as this is a rapidly evolving space.
• Good understanding of cGMP and GDP requirement and practices.
• Able to don in the cleanroom gowning and understand Aseptic Behaviour requirements.

The Scope

You will be part of Esco Aster’s scientific division and contribute to the company’s CDMO mission and objectives. You will perform research and process development activities, in various projects and in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, clients and partners.

Job Responsibilities

• Work in the CDMO services as a part of the process team to develop processes for downstream unit operations for adherent cells (MSCs, iPSCs, Fibroblast, Epithelial cells, Vero, Hek293t) and derivatives (e.g. exosomes, nanovesicles, viral vectors, secreted viruses, mitochondria) as well as suspension cells for cultivated meat (mainly continuous centrifugation).
• Design, plan, execute, and supervise experimental programs.
• Analyse and interpret experiment data to draw scientific conclusions.
• Perform wet lab and /or clinical trial material activities related to downstream unit operations and associated analytics.
• Support and train subordinates on downstream techniques and operations.
• Author or review protocols, technical reports, technology transfer and training documents with scientifically supported conclusions and recommendations.
• Author or review standard operating procedures, instrument operating procedures and other lab related documents.
• Assess and implement new processes and technologies in development scale, ultimately adapting to manufacturing operations.
• Record and document data promptly and accurately maintaining data integrity.
• Assist in non-routine lab duties and administrative activities including, and not limited to procurement, vendor assessment, people management, equipment maintenance, equipment calibration etc.
• Support validation activities for new equipment as required.

Requirements

• The successful candidate will have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or doctorate in Biological Sciences/(Bio)Chemical Engineering/Biological Engineering/Chemistry or related disciplines.
• At least 3-5 years’ relevant experience in a life-sciences or related laboratory working with the downstream purification of stem cells/exosomes.
• Experience in filtration (NFF and TFF) unit operations and bioprocess integration.
• Knowledge of protein and molecular analyses, e.g., Western blot, qPCR, ELISA, flow cytometry etc.
• Knowledge of technical or commercial operations in the manufacture of biological molecules is desirable.
• Proficient in MS office- MS word, MS excel, PowerPoint.
• Take initiatives, self-starter, research oriented, and able to work with minimum supervision.
• Possess good communication and documentation skills.
• Can contribute individually, as well as work efficiently in a dynamic team environment.