Associate Scientist, Upstream Process Development

LOTTE BIOLOGICS USA, LLC; City of Syracuse (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

LOTTE BIOLOGICS USA, LLC in New York is seeking an Associate Scientist for Upstream Process Development to execute cell culture experiments from lab to manufacturing scale. The role involves GLP/GMP protocols, documentation, and cross-functional collaboration.

The candidate will develop media, manage bioreactor operations, and contribute to process transfers and regulatory submissions, with some evening/weekend work as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, biochemical/chemical engineering, or related field.
• 3-5 years of relevant upstream biologics experience (or MSc with fewer years).
• Experience with mammalian cell culture, aseptic technique, and bioreactor operations preferred.
• GLP/GMP-regulated environment experience preferred.
• Strong experimental design, statistics, and data interpretation skills.

Responsibilities

• Support scale-down/scale-up studies for media development and optimization in upstream process development.
• Assist development of upstream inoculum expansion and process control strategy.
• Support process technical transfers from lab-scale to manufacturing-scale.
• Contribute to process optimization, robustness initiatives, troubleshooting, and yield improvement.
• Document experiments and results in lab notebooks; review SOPs and upstream cell culture docs.
• Support regulatory filings (IND, BLA, MAA, etc.) with interactions for inspections.
• Perform cell culture expansion using sterile techniques and maintain equipment.
• Prepare media, buffers, and reagents; analyze samples via HPLCs and other analyzers.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Skills

Cell culture

Bioreactor operations

Experimental design

Data analysis

GLP/GMP knowledge

Education

B.Sc./B.Eng. with 3-5 yrs

M.Sc./M.Eng. with 0-2 yrs

Tools

HPLC

Analytical instrumentation

Job description

Associate Scientist, Upstream Process Development

We are LOTTE BIOLOGICS ! Delivering Therapies That Enable a Healthier World.

A new company, built on 80 years of tradition. We embody our core values of being Inspired by Science, Embracing Diversity, Fostering Talent, and Connecting Lives. Our mission is to be the most trusted partner in the industry, with high standards of quality and continuous innovation, to reliably deliver benefits for patients worldwide.

Position Summary

The primary role of the Associate Scientist, Upstream Process Development is to execute laboratory experiments in the development, optimization, characterization, and scale-up of biologics upstream cell culture processes from laboratory to manufacturing scale using knowledge of cell culture, cell banking, medium preparation, bioreactor production, and primary recovery. This role is a combination of laboratory- and office-based work. This role will execute and document laboratory studies in laboratory notebooks. Additionally, this role will support documentation review, protocols, technical reports, change controls, and CMC regulatory submissions under supervision. The Associate Scientist is expected to follow detailed GLP/GMP procedures and safety requirements and will work in a team environment and will interact with other functional departments. Additionally, this position is a team-based position that may require work on evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Leverage an understanding of the drug substance upstream cell culture process to support execution and data analysis of scale-down/scale-up studies for media development and optimization, upstream process development, process characterization, and process validation
• Support development of the upstream inoculum expansion and cell culture process control strategy through identification of critical process parameters and process attributes
• Support process technical transfers from laboratory-scale or pilot-scale to manufacturing-scale
• Support process optimization, process robustness initiatives, process troubleshooting, process yield improvements, and process-related investigations at manufacturing-scale through conducting scale-down studies
• Document execution and results of experimental plans in laboratory notebooks, perform data verification, and author and review SOPs and upstream cell culture documentation to capture experimental designs and results via protocols and other associated scientific technical documents for process development, process characterization, as well as validation protocols with supervision
• Support continuous process improvements and advance technology for implementation in laboratory and manufacturing operations
• Support CMC review and verification of regulatory filings (IND, IND amendment, BLA, MAA, PAS, etc.), with interactions with global Health Authorities for inspections
• Cell culture expansion and handling utilizing sterile technique in plates, T-flasks, and shaker flasks
• Support routine operation, cleaning, and maintenance of laboratory equipment, including small-scale and pilot-scale bioreactors, autoclaves, centrifuges, scales, and balances
• Preparation of media, buffers, and reagents
• Analyze samples on HPLCs and other analytical instrumentation such as metabolite and cell viability analyzers, and Raman spectroscopy
• Work with other team members and on cross-functional technical teams

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry, Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant industry experience.
• Relevant experience in biologics upstream process development, manufacturing and/or manufacturing technology is required.
• Candidates should possess:
  • A B.Sc. or B.Eng. with 3-5 years of relevant experience, or
  • An M.Sc. or M.Eng. with 0-2 years of relevant experience
• Experience with mammalian cell culture processes, aseptic technique, and bioreactor operations is preferred.
• Experience working in a GLP/GMP-regulated environment and supporting technical documentation is preferred.
• Experience with experimental design, statistical analysis, and process development data interpretation is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• General scientific knowledge and laboratory skills; knowledge of upstream mammalian cell culture and bioreactors is preferred
• Experience with experimental design, statistical design and data analysis is preferred
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to apply risk-based critical thinking in a technical environment

Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare and present scientific and technical information.

Ability to complete assignments accurately, compliantly, and within established timelines.

Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a cross-functional team.

Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality and safety standards.

Physical Demands

• Frequent repetitive motions may be required, including pipetting, lifting, bending, twisting, squatting, crouching, kneeling, reaching, and climbing step stools.
• Occasional unassisted lifting of up to 50 pounds may be required.
• Repetitive use of the arms, hands, and wrists, including grasping and fine motor movements, is required.
• Office-based responsibilities associated with the role may require extended periods of sitting and computer use.
• This position is primarily laboratory-based and performed in an indoor environment.
• Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn when working in laboratory areas.
• The role may involve exposure to biohazardous materials, including live cell cultures, as well as hazardous chemicals such as methotrexate, acids, and caustics. Handling of powdered materials and high-temperature liquids or solids may also be required.
• The position requires working both collaboratively with cross-functional teams and independently.
• Occasional shift work, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, may be required to support project and operational needs.
• This role is performed in a dynamic, fast-paced, collaborative, and innovative environment.

Travel

Less than 5% travel required for this role.

8%

Work Location:

New York Pay Range

$60,000 - $88,000 USD

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) Employer.

We believe that women, people of color, veterans and LGBTQ communities must participate in the work we do, so we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of underrepresented communities! If this is the work that you want to do, in a culture of inclusion and excellence with the goal of making our world to be a healthier place, then please apply today!