Principal Scientist, Lentivirus Downstream Process Development

Legendcareers; New Jersey; On-site; USD 146,410 - 192,164; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan with company match

Paid parental leave

Flexible spending and health savings accounts

Job summary

Legendcareers is seeking a Principal Scientist, Lentivirus Downstream Process Development, located in Somerset, NJ. This role is crucial for designing and optimizing purification processes for lentiviral vectors within our innovative pipeline.

The ideal candidate will have a PhD or MS in a relevant field and over 8 years of experience in process development. Responsibilities include leading teams, ensuring GMP compliance, and developing efficient purification strategies for CAR-T applications.

Compensation ranges from $146,410 to $192,164, with a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees.

Qualifications

• 8+ years (PhD) or 10+ years (MS) in process development or manufacturing within biotech or pharmaceutical settings.
• Deep technical experience in purification, chromatography, and TFF for viral vectors.
• Strong understanding of GMP and CMC strategies for early-phase clinical trials.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute purification strategies for lentiviral vectors.
• Direct optimization of downstream processes including chromatography and TFF.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements in GMP manufacturing.

Skills

Purification processes

Chromatography

Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF)

GMP manufacturing

Leadership

Education

PhD or MS in Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Virology, Molecular Biology

Job description

Principal Scientist, Lentivirus Downstream Process Development

Location: Somerset, NJ.

Role Overview

The Principal Scientist, Lentivirus Downstream Process Development, will be a key technical leader responsible for designing, optimizing, and scaling purification processes for lentiviral vectors (LVV) within our innovative pipeline. This role focuses on delivering high-quality vector products to support LVV generation and other advanced cell therapy programs. The successful candidate will drive scientific excellence in downstream processing (DSP)—including clarification, chromatography, TFF, sterile filtration and fill/finish—ensuring processes are robust, scalable, and phase-appropriate for GMP manufacturing. This position demands a blend of hands‑on technical mastery and strategic thinking to accelerate timelines while maintaining a patient‑focused approach.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute highly efficient purification strategies for lentiviral vectors, specifically optimized for CAR‑T applications.
• Direct the development and optimization of downstream processes including and not limited to: clarification (depth filtration, centrifugation), chromatography (AEX, SEC, HIC), and Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF) for concentration and diafiltration.
• Provide hands‑on training as needed.
• Direct the translation of bench‑scale processes to GMP manufacturing, ensuring seamless technology transfer and providing troubleshooting support during clinical production runs.
• Lead the execution of study protocols to define operating parameters and performance limits; implement state‑of‑the‑art knowledge management for DSP data.
• Communicate the potential for issues and delays along with solutions and mitigation approaches.
• In collaboration with the Senior Leaders, CMC Project Manager, Project Leader, and other technical leads, identify project acceleration opportunities.
• Leverage advanced science and technology to maximize vector recovery, purity, and potency, identifying creative solutions to define unknowns in the viral vector field.
• Guide a team of scientists in the execution of project‑specific activities, fostering a culture of transparency, scientific rigor, and continuous improvement.
• Author and serve as a primary reviewer for technical documents, including development reports, SOPs, and CMC sections for regulatory submissions (IND/IMPD).
• Work closely with Upstream Process Development and Analytical Development teams to ensure integrated and holistic process outcomes.
• Perform tech transfer processes to/from other Legend sites or CDMOs.
• Resolve conflict and proactively identify/address performance issues.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Requirements

• Advanced degree (PhD preferred, or MS) in Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Virology, Molecular Biology, or a related field.
• 8+ years (PhD) or 10+ years (MS) of experience in process development or manufacturing within a biotech or pharmaceutical setting.
• Deep technical hands‑on experience in purification, chromatography, and TFF specifically for viral vectors (lentivirus preferred).
• Strong understanding of GMP manufacturing requirements and CMC strategies for early‑phase clinical trials.
• Deep knowledge and hands‑on experiences in cell and lentiviral vector technologies within the current emerging field.
• Ability to implement closed‑system processes and maximize cost effectiveness.
• Strong knowledge in engineering modeling and optimization.
• Excellent leadership, emotional intelligence, and communication skills; ability to maintain composure and strategic focus during challenging development timelines.
• Creative, strategic thinking.
• Strong troubleshooting skills.
• Preferred experience in developing vector processes tailored for CAR‑T generation and systemic delivery.
• Preferred experience in handling large scale (>50L) purification process.
• Language: English. Mandarin is a plus.

Benefits and Compensation

The base pay range below is what Legend Biotech USA Inc. reasonably expects to offer at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, skills, qualifications, and geographic location. The company reserves the right to modify this range as needed and in accordance with applicable laws.

Other Types of Pay: Performance‑based bonus and/or equity is available to employees in eligible roles.

Benefits and Paid Time Off: Medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a 401(k) retirement plan with a company match that vests fully on day one. We offer eight weeks of paid parental leave after just three months of employment, and a paid time off policy that includes vacation time, personal time, sick time, floating holidays, and eleven company holidays. Additional voluntary benefits include flexible spending and health savings accounts, life and AD&D insurance, short‑ and long‑term disability coverage, legal assistance, and supplemental plans such as pet, critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance. We also provide voluntary commuter benefits, family planning and care resources, well‑being initiatives, and peer‑to‑peer recognition programs.

Pay Range (Base Pay): $146,410 — $192,164 USD

Please note: These benefits are offered exclusively to permanent full‑time employees. Contractors are not eligible for benefits through Legend Biotech.

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EEO Statement

It is the policy of Legend Biotech to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances.

Employment is at‑will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause or notice by the employee or the company.