MSAT mRNA/DNA Scientist

CAMRIS; Silver Spring (MD); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

CAMRIS is seeking an MSAT mRNA/DNA Scientist to support the Pilot Bioproduction Facility (PBF) at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Silver Spring, Maryland. The role focuses on upstream/downstream development, technology transfer, and GMP manufacturing to advance vaccine and mRNA production technologies.

You will design studies, develop scale-up plans, mentor staff, prepare documentation for INDs/IMPDs, and collaborate with MSAT teams.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a science field and 6 years of experience in a regulated environment.
• Experience in Upstream development, scale-up, and technology transfer.
• Experience in Downstream development, chromatography, filtration, and viral filtration.
• Knowledge of analytical methods for protein and mRNA characterization.
• High-throughput process development (HTPD) experience preferred.
• DOE experience with R, SAS, JMP is desirable.
• Excellent initiative, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Eligibility to work in the United States and residency requirements.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with PMO as Technology Transfer Lead on CDMO projects, including meetings, budgeting, decision-making, and deliverables.
• Design and execute process development studies for Upstream, Downstream, and mRNA production (IVT and LNP).
• Develop experimental plans and batch records; supervise execution of studies.
• Troubleshoot process issues and support QA investigations as required.
• Interpret and summarize publications, donor process information, and experimental data.
• Develop scale-up processes and cost-benefit analyses for Upstream/Downstream operations.
• Train and mentor development and operations staff in Upstream and Downstream functions.
• Draft technology transfer plans, gap assessments, process descriptions, and SOPs.
• Support regulatory filings such as INDs and IMPDs as needed.
• Collaborate with MSAT teams (mRNA, Cell Culture, viral).

Skills

Upstream development & scale-up

Downstream development & scale-up

mRNA IVT development & LNP encaps

DOE (R, SAS, JMP)

Troubleshooting & problem-solving

Strong communication skills

Team collaboration

Eligible to work in the United States

Education

Master’s degree in science field

Tools

R

SAS

JMP

Job description

Overview

We are seeking an MSAT mRNA/DNA Scientist to support the Pilot Bioproduction Facility (PBF) at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) in Silver Spring, Maryland.

PBF is a cGMP‑compliant pharmaceutical manufacturing facility that engages in next‑generation development for cutting‑edge companies and government agencies. Scientists at the facility work on diverse projects, continually advancing vaccine and mRNA production technologies.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with PMO as Technology Transfer Lead on multiple CDMO projects, conducting regular project meetings and driving project execution, scheduling, monitoring of budgets, technical decision‑making, and project deliverables.
• Design and execute process development studies to support Upstream (culture through harvest), Downstream (harvest/clarification, purification) and/or mRNA production, including in‑vitro transcription (IVT) and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) encapsulation, to support GMP manufacturing.
• Develop experimental plans and batch records and execute or direct the team in the execution of studies.
• Troubleshoot process issues and support QA technical investigations as required.
• Interpret and summarize publications, donor process information, and experimental data.
• Develop scale‑up processes and cost‑benefit analyses for Upstream and/or Downstream operations.
• Train and mentor development and operations staff in Upstream and/or Downstream functions.
• Develop data summaries and present to clients in team meetings.
• Author, review, and execute technology transfer plans, gap assessments, process descriptions, and standard operating procedures.
• Author relevant sections of regulatory filings, such as INDs and IMPDs, as needed.
• Leverage quality by design (QbD) principles and technical risk assessments.
• Support the review and approval of transfer and manufacturing documentation, such as batch records, standard operating procedures, protocols, and summary reports.
• Make recommendations based on study results, scientific principles, and industry best practices on clone selection and process design.
• Supervise, train, and mentor peers as needed and delegate/plan work within the team, as well as work hands‑on with the team in the laboratory.
• Support and coordinate with other MSAT technical staff (mRNA, Cell Culture, viral etc.).
• Perform GMP operations and other tasks as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• A master’s degree in a science field (preferably chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, or engineering) and 6 years of experience in a regulated environment, or an equivalent combination of education and credentials.
• Knowledge and experience in Upstream development and scale‑up (microbial or cell culture, including media selection, seed train development, and development/optimization of expression in production cultures or mRNA IVT development/optimization and lipid nanoparticle encapsulation), process optimization, scale‑up, scale‑down, and technology transfer.
• Knowledge and experience of Downstream development and scale‑up (chromatography including media and buffer selection and optimization, tangential flow filtration, and viral filtration), process optimization, scale‑up, scale‑down, and technology transfer.
• Knowledge of analytical methods needed to support characterization and testing of associated biologics (protein, mRNA, etc.) is a plus.
• Ability to utilize development and process experience over multiple process platforms.
• High‑throughput process development (HTPD) experience (preferred).
• Working knowledge of DOE, including software such as R, SAS, and JMP.
• Excellent initiative, troubleshooting, and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong communication (written and verbal), organizational, and time‑management skills.
• Ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
• Must have eligibility to work in the United States and have lived in the United States for three of the past five years if a non‑US citizen.

Physical Requirements, Workplace Hazards, and Conditions

Physical Demands

• Constantly conduct sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.
• Occasionally conduct light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds; rarely medium work up to 50 pounds; rarely heavy work up to 100 pounds; rarely very heavy work over 100 pounds.
• Occasionally push or pull less than 25 pounds, push or pull 25–45 pounds, rarely push or pull more than 45 pounds.
• Rarely reach above shoulder level.
• Constantly use both hands.
• Occasionally stand or walk for more than 25 minutes.
• Rarely bend, reach, or twist repeatedly.
• Occasionally kneel, squat, or stoop.
• Rarely crawl or climb.
• Constantly have clear vision (near and/or far), depth perception, peripheral vision, and/or visual acuity.

Physical Activities

• Rarely ascend or descend ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like.
• Occasionally move self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments, including tight and confined spaces.
• Rarely move about to accomplish tasks or move from one worksite to another.
• Constantly communicate with others to exchange information.
• Rarely operate machinery and/or power tools.
• Rarely operate motor vehicles or heavy equipment.
• Constantly assess the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned.

Environmental Conditions

• Rarely work in low temperatures.
• Rarely work in high temperatures.
• Rarely work in outdoor elements, such as precipitation and wind.
• Rarely work in noisy environments.
• Rarely work in hazardous conditions.
• Rarely work in poor ventilation.
• Rarely work in small and/or enclosed spaces.
• Constantly work in environments where no adverse environmental conditions are expected.

PPE and Chemical Requirements

• Occasionally wear PPE, including but not limited to gloves, face shields/goggles, safety glasses, and safety shoes.
• Constantly wear a lab coat.
• Rarely wear ear plugs/muffs.
• Occasional work in a Clean Room Uniform.
• Occasionally wear a disposable dust/surgical mask.
• Rarely wear respirators, such as a disposable respirator mask (N‑95), half‑face/full‑face style, PAPR, SCUBA.
• Rarely come in contact with chemicals, such as aerosols, biological inhalants, plastics, inorganic dust and powders, etc.

Equal Opportunity

CAMRIS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; health savings accounts; life and AD&D insurance; short‑ and long‑term disability; legal services; hospital indemnity; critical illness and accident insurance; employee assistance program; pet insurance; 401(k) with employer match and Roth option; tuition and professional reimbursement; public transportation support; referral bonus program; vacation with tenure‑based increases; paid holidays; paid bonding leave; and paid supplemental short‑term disability.

Background Check

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a Public Trust‑level background check, which may include contacting professional references, verifying prior employment, education, and credentials; a criminal background check; usage/abuse of federally‑controlled substances; and a Department of Motor Vehicle check.