Cell Line Development Scientist

Axle; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

401K match

Educational benefits

Employee referral bonus

Flexible Spending Accounts

Healthcare FSA

Parking reimbursement

Dependent care assistant

Transportation reimbursement

Job summary

Axle is seeking a Cell Line Development Scientist to support NIH/NIAID in Gaithersburg, MD. The role focuses on developing stable cell lines for vaccine and therapeutic protein candidates, from transfection through clone stability studies, with strong emphasis on documentation and SOPs.

The ideal candidate has an MS in Biological Sciences and hands-on experience in cell culture, monoclonal antibody production, and data analysis. Competitive benefits and salary are provided.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required.
• Experience with cell line development for vaccines/therapeutic proteins is preferred.
• Strong documentation and SOP-writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop stable cell lines for vaccine and therapeutic proteins including monoclonal antibodies.
• Perform plasmid preparation, transfection, clone selection, and stability studies.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and support project leads with data and reports.

Skills

Monoclonal antibody production

Technical reports

Cell line engineering

Aseptic technique

Flow cytometry

Education

MS in Biological Science

BS in Biological Sciences

Biochemical Sciences

Tools

Prism

FlowJo

Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

Axle is a bioscience and information technology company that offers advancements in translational research, biomedical informatics, and data science applications to research centers and healthcare organizations nationally and abroad. With experts in biomedical science, software engineering, and program management, we focus on developing and applying research tools and techniques to empower decision-making and accelerate research discoveries. We work with some of the top research organizations and facilities in the country including multiple institutes at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Axle is seeking a Cell Line Development Scientist to join our vibrant team at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) supporting the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) located in Gaithersburg, MD.

Benefits We Offer:

• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• 401K match up to 5%
• Educational Benefits for Career Growth
• Employee Referral Bonus
• Flexible Spending Accounts:
  • Healthcare (FSA)
  • Parking Reimbursement Account (PRK)
  • Dependent Care Assistant Program (DCAP)
  • Transportation Reimbursement Account (TRN)

Position Overview

The Cell Line Development Scientist will support the planning and execution of research experiments within the laboratory’s overall research program. The role focuses on developing stable cell lines for vaccine and therapeutic protein candidates, including monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, and virus-like particles. It covers the full cell line development process, from plasmid preparation and transfection through clone selection, fed-batch analysis, and stability studies. The role also includes small-scale process development, laboratory equipment support, documentation, and project coordination with project leads. A Master’s degree is required.

Certifications & Licenses

Master of Science (M.S.) in Biological Science

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biological Sciences

Field of Study

Biochemical Sciences

Software

Prism, FlowJo, Word, PowerPoint, Excel

Skills

Monoclonal antibody and/or vaccine production

Technical reports, standard operating procedures, and data presentations

Cell line engineering technologies, including cell counting, high-throughput transfection, single-cell cloning, and flow cytometry

Aseptic technique and mammalian cell culture

Broad knowledge of state-of-the-art principles and theory

Provide reports (Ad-Hoc)

Statement of Work Details

Contribute to the development of stable cell lines for vaccine and therapeutic protein candidates, including monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, and virus-like particles.

Independently execute each step of the cell line development process: transfection, pool generation, single-cell cloning, clone expansion in static culture plates and shake flasks, fed-batch analysis, and clone stability studies.

Participate in cell line development platform design, optimization, and cycle-time reduction studies, including methods for clone selection, expansion, ranking, and characterization.

Generate stable pools and perform transient protein production to supply reagent-grade material.

Maintain, support, and track maintenance for core laboratory equipment, including the ViCell BLU cell counters used on all cell line development projects to count cells during passaging and fed-batch production.

Support the planning and execution of research experiments within the laboratory’s overall research program.

Prepare plasmid DNA using standard molecular cloning techniques, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR), restriction digest, and bacterial culture.

Use automated platforms for clone selection and screening.

Support laboratory staff on research projects and techniques.

Perform small-scale process development studies using various culture vessels, including tissue culture plates, shake flasks, and small-scale bioreactors.

Maintain inventory of all supplies for the cell counters and request supplies as needed.

Train team members on proper cell counter usage, reagent pack replacement and disposal, and data retrieval.

Respond the same day to team member requests for troubleshooting support.

Perform monthly quality control (QC) and weekly maintenance on the cell counters.

Arrange service visits as needed and work with the vendor to ensure consistent performance of the instruments (currently five in the labs).

Maintain a system of routine data backup.

Assist in maintaining adequate space and facilities for ongoing and projected research studies.

Write and review standard operating procedures (SOPs) for cell line development processes and instrumentation.

Evaluate, analyze, and interpret research data, and communicate results and methods in reports, presentations, and manuscripts.

Independently complete experiments and analyze data.

Write and review technical reports documenting process development studies and stable cell line generation work.

Maintain complete documentation records, including a detailed and up-to-date laboratory notebook, to support regulatory filings.

Contribute results and studies for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Coordinate with junior staff to modify research protocols.

Work with team members to generate experimental plans for process development studies.

Present research at local and/or national scientific meetings and symposia, including in poster form.

Provide interpretation of results, guidance, and scientific support to the management team.

Coordinate cell line development projects with the project lead and Federal Task Leader.

Plan experiments to fit within required timelines.

Communicate any issues or delays promptly and help identify solutions.

Maintain the cell line development master sheet with all critical information and data.

Regularly communicate progress to the project lead and present work to the cell line development team.

Participate in project meetings.

Train staff on proper equipment use and a wide variety of laboratory techniques.

Provide technical experience to assist in studying the basic principles of plant and animal life.

Assist with performing basic laboratory experiments and procedures.

Prepare, organize, and maintain laboratory samples, supplies, and equipment.

Learn new laboratory techniques and procedures.

Disclaimer: The above description is meant to illustrate the general nature of work and level of effort being performed by individuals assigned to this position or job description. This is not restricted as a complete list of all skills, responsibilities, duties, and/or assignments required. Individuals may be required to perform duties outside of their position, job description or responsibilities as needed.

The diversity of Axle’s employees is a tremendous asset. We are firmly committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and will not tolerate any illegal discrimination or harassment based on age, race, gender, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, covered veteran status, sexual orientation, status with respect to public assistance, and other characteristics protected under state, federal, or local law and to deter those who aid, abet, or induce discrimination or coerce others to discriminate.

Accessibility: If you need an accommodation as part of the employment process please contact: [e-mail]

This role has a market-competitive salary with an anticipated base compensation range listed below. Actual salaries will vary depending on a candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills, and location.

Salary Range

$100,000 - $110,000 USD

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Axle’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A \"disabled veteran\" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A \"recently separated veteran\" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An \"active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran\" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An \"Armed forces service medal veteran\" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.