Scientist I, Biologics Production

PharmaEssentia Innovation Research Center; Bedford (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

PharmaEssentia Innovation Research Center (PIRC) seeks a Scientist I, Biologics Production to join the Biologics Platform Team. The role focuses on medium- to high-throughput mammalian cell culture using CHO and HEK systems, transient expression, purification, and analytical characterization of recombinant proteins and antigens.

You will implement scalable workflows, optimize throughput and reproducibility, work with internal teams and CROs, and contribute to project decisions through rigorous

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Chemical Engineering, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or a related scientific discipline, with 0-2 years of relevant industry or academic experience; or MS in a related discipline, with 6+ years of industry experience.
• Experience producing antibodies, antigens, multispecifics, or other protein-based therapeutics.
• Demonstrated experience performing 24- to 96-well recombinant-protein expression and purification workflows in mammalian systems.
• Experience with protein purification using FPLC/ÄKTA systems, including development and troubleshooting of chromatography-based purification methods.
• Experience with fit-for-purpose characterization of recombinant proteins using techniques such as SDS‑PAGE, SEC, BLI, and/or SPR.
• Demonstrated ability to independently advance experimental work, troubleshoot technical challenges, and communicate scientific findings clearly.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and data-analysis skills, with the ability to manage multiple protein-production activities in a dynamic research environment.
• Collaborative, flexible, and team-oriented mindset, with the ability to work effectively across internal and external research partners.

Responsibilities

• Execute medium- to high-throughput mammalian cell culture and recombinant protein expression workflows, including transient expression approaches.
• Develop methods and techniques to improve throughput, reproducibility, turnaround time, and production capacity in support of biologics discovery programs.
• Purify recombinant proteins using FPLC/ÄKTA-based chromatography workflows.
• Perform fit-for-purpose protein quality and characterization assessments to guide production, purification, and downstream study decisions.
• Troubleshoot expression, purification, yield, purity, stability, quality, and throughput challenges; identify and implement practical solutions.
• Collaborate with internal research teams, CROs, and external partners to coordinate protein-production activities, communicate technical requirements, and integrate results into project decisions.
• Maintain clear experimental documentation and prepare high-quality scientific reports, presentations, and data summaries.
• Contribute scientific input within project teams and stay current with emerging technologies in protein expression, purification, and biologics platform development.

Skills

High-throughput mammalian cell culture

Protein expression workflows

Analytical characterization

Education

Ph.D. in Biochemistry / Biophysics / Chemical Engineering / Cell Biology / Molecular Biology or related

M.S. in related field with 6+ years industry experience

Tools

FPLC/ÄKTA systems

LC-MS

SDS-PAGE/SEC/BLI/SPR

Job description

Position Summary

PharmaEssentia Innovation Research Center (PIRC) is seeking a highly motivated and collaborative Scientist I, Biologics Production to join the Biologics Platform Team. The successful candidate will support discovery and early development of innovative therapeutics, including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), multispecifics, cytokines, and other protein therapeutics, by establishing, optimizing, and scaling workflows for recombinant protein and antigen production and characterization. This role will focus on medium- to high-throughput mammalian cell culture using CHO and HEK expression systems, transient protein expression, purification, and analytical characterization. The ideal candidate will bring a strong foundation in protein sciences, with hands‑on experience using FPLC/ÄKTA-based purification systems and evaluating protein quality and binding properties through methods such as SDS‑PAGE, SEC, BLI, SPR, DSF, and DLS. As a valued contributor to a growing and dynamic team, this individual will help establish and operate medium‑to‑high‑throughput, discovery‑stage workflows for mammalian expression, purification, and fit‑for‑purpose characterization of recombinant proteins and antigens. They apply their expertise to improve throughput, turnaround time, reproducibility, and capacity, and help build scalable production platforms that support multiple discovery programs.

Summary Of Key Responsibilities

• Execute medium- to high-throughput mammalian cell culture and recombinant protein expression workflows, including transient expression approaches.
• Develop methods and techniques to improve throughput, reproducibility, turnaround time, and production capacity in support of biologics discovery programs.
• Purify recombinant proteins using FPLC/ÄKTA-based chromatography workflows.
• Perform fit-for-purpose protein quality and characterization assessments to guide production, purification, and downstream study decisions.
• Troubleshoot expression, purification, yield, purity, stability, quality, and throughput challenges; identify and implement practical solutions.
• Collaborate with internal research teams, CROs, and external partners to coordinate protein-production activities, communicate technical requirements, and integrate results into project decisions.
• Maintain clear experimental documentation and prepare high-quality scientific reports, presentations, and data summaries.
• Contribute scientific input within project teams and stay current with emerging technologies in protein expression, purification, and biologics platform development.

Essential Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Chemical Engineering, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or a related scientific discipline, with 0-2 years of relevant industry or academic experience; or MS in a related discipline, with 6+ years of industry experience.
• Experience producing antibodies, antigens, multi-specifics, or other protein-based therapeutics.
• Demonstrated experience performing 24- to 96-well recombinant-protein expression and purification workflows in mammalian systems.
• Experience with protein purification using FPLC/ÄKTA systems, including development and troubleshooting of chromatography-based purification methods.
• Experience with fit-for-purpose characterization of recombinant proteins using techniques such as SDS‑PAGE, SEC, BLI, and/or SPR.
• Demonstrated ability to independently advance experimental work, troubleshoot technical challenges, and communicate scientific findings clearly.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and data-analysis skills, with the ability to manage multiple protein-production activities in a dynamic research environment.
• Collaborative, flexible, and team-oriented mindset, with the ability to work effectively across internal and external research partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with laboratory automation, data-management systems, or workflow-standardization approaches (e.g. Hamilton, Tecan systems).
• Experience with wave-bag or Ambr expression systems.
• Experience with molecular cloning and construct design supporting protein expression.
• Hands-on experience with intact-mass and LC-MS characterization of antibodies and other protein-based therapeutics.
• Working knowledge of protein developability, biophysical characterization, and early biologics discovery workflows.
• Experience supporting technology transfer, external CRO activities, or cross-functional discovery programs is highly desirable.

At PharmaEssentia, our goal is to treat as many people with cancer as possible. That means challenging the status quo with better science that leads to better lives. By joining our team, you will not only expand your own possibilities, but you will contribute to expanding options for people with cancer.

EEO Statement

At PharmaEssentia Innovation Research Center (PIRC), we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. PIRC believes that diversity and inclusion among our team are critical to our success as a global company, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. PIRC does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. Staffing agencies should not send resumes to our HR team or to any PIRC employees. PIRC is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes from staffing agencies.