Scientist I, Process Development

Merck & Co.; New Jersey; On-site; USD 96,267 - 126,351; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan with company match

Paid parental leave

Generous paid time off policy

Job summary

Legend Biotech is seeking a Scientist I in Process Development in Somerset, NJ. This role focuses on developing scalable manufacturing processes for gene and cell therapies, emphasizing teamwork and collaboration within a fast-paced environment.

The candidate must have an advanced degree and experience in biotechnology, with knowledge of cGMP compliance and strong engineering problem-solving skills. Benefits include comprehensive health insurance and a retirement plan.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years in process development of gene or gene-modified products.
• Experience in biotechnology bioprocessing and GMP manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with cellular and gene therapies.

Responsibilities

• Develop scalable manufacturing processes for gene and cellular therapies.
• Execute bioprocess development studies and document procedures.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to establish development strategies.

Skills

Bioprocess development

Mammalian cell culture

GMP compliance

Engineering problem solving

Statistical analysis

Education

Advanced degree in process engineering, immunology, or cell biology

Tools

Bioreactors

Chromatography

PowerBI

Job description

Legend Biotech is a global biotechnology company dedicated to treating, and one day curing, life-threatening diseases. Headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey, we are developing advanced cell therapies across a diverse array of technology platforms, including autologous and allogenic chimeric antigen receptor T-cell, T-cell receptor (TCR-T), and natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy. From our three R&D sites around the world, we apply these innovative technologies to pursue the discovery of safe, efficacious and cutting‑edge therapeutics for patients worldwide.

Legend Biotech entered into a global collaboration agreement with Janssen, one of the pharmaceutical companies of Johnson & Johnson, to jointly develop and commercialize ciltacabtagene autolecuel (cilta-cel). Our strategic partnership is designed to combine the strengths and expertise of both companies to advance the promise of an immunotherapy in the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Legend Biotech is seeking a Scientist I, Process Development as part of the Technical Development team based in Somerset, NJ.

Role Overview

The Scientist I, Process Development (PD) will be responsible for developing, establishing, and optimizing scalable manufacturing processes for Legend's gene and cellular therapy pipeline and first-in-human/new IND products. The candidate will have demonstrated technical experience working in multidisciplinary research and process development labs to define robust manufacturing processes and/or associated analytical systems. This role supports the development of scalable, cGMP-compliant processes and documentation for novel allogeneic cellular, gene therapeutic, and biological products. This position requires prior experience with mammalian cell culture (cell line and primary cell), process development for cellular/gene therapies, and excellent technical, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Under the leadership of senior‑level technical staff, support the design of complex process development studies focusing on both vector bioprocessing and cell processing workflows.
• Work within a team to deliver phase‑appropriate process development components of projects with scientific excellence and patient focus according to Technical Development and Company's strategic objectives.
• Work according to appropriate standards for quality, ethics, health, safety, environmental protection, and information security; participate in activities aligned with organizational workflow and procedures.
• Execute bioprocess development studies in the lab (including bioreactor runs, upstream engineering, and downstream processing), document the procedure, and interpret process development experiment results.
• Execute the bespoke manufacturing process in the GMP suite, and document the procedure on Master Batch Records (MBRs) in a GMP‑compliant environment.
• Author technical protocols, technical reports, SOPs, and MBRs for upstream, downstream, and cell therapy manufacturing processes.
• Maintain accurate and updated lab notebooks and manufacturing records.
• Manage equipment (such as bioreactors and purification systems) and records for maintenance, calibration, cleaning, and operation, and lead the effort to maintain laboratory inventories.
• Provide technical support and engineering expertise as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for manufacturing root cause investigations for Deviations and CAPA.
• Use engineering and statistical tools to analyze and organize process development and manufacturing data with scientific integrity, and in a clear and concise manner.
• Collaborate with the EDD, Analytical Development, Material Science, and other cross‑functional teams to support the establishment of development strategies for new biological/cell products and supply materials to support pre‑clinical studies and associated activities.
• Use professional concepts in accordance with company objectives to solve complex bioprocessing problems in creative and effective ways.
• Availability for evening and weekend work as deemed necessary according to project timeline and culture schedules.

Requirements

• Advanced degree (BS, MS, PhD) in process engineering, immunology, cell biology, or equivalent. Technical training / certification is desirable.
• BS with 3‑5 years, MS with 2‑3 years and PhD with 1‑2 years of experience in process development of gene or gene‑modified products in a biotech, academic, or pharmaceutical setting.
• Core engineering background in bioprocessing of biologics, vaccines, and viral vectors (including working with viral vectors and cell therapy).
• Experience in biotechnology bioprocessing, gene and cell therapy process development, and/or GMP manufacturing.
• Hands‑on experience working with bioreactors (upstream processing, scale down and scale up model) and downstream processing (e.g., filtration, chromatography, TFF) for lentivirus/AAV vectors, viral products, or biological entities.
• Experience handling the cell processing side for cell therapies, including mammalian cell culture, primary cell processing, and cellular expansion.
• Proven experience authoring SOPs/procedures for established and new engineering unit operations.
• Ability to transfer upstream and downstream bioprocesses to internal or external manufacturing sites.
• Ability to manage shifting priorities to meet critical deadlines in a fast‑paced and dynamic, growing environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross‑functional engineering, manufacturing, and analytical teams.
• Detail‑oriented with expertise in engineering problem solving and solid decision‑making abilities.
• Proficiency in cGMP and FDA guidelines is preferred.
• Excellent teamwork, emotional intelligence, and communication skills.
• Experience using statistical tools to analyze engineering data (JMP, GraphPad, etc.) and using visualization tools (PowerBI) to trend development and manufacturing data.

Pay Range (Base Pay)

$96,267—$126,351 USD

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 (8) weeks of paid parental leave after just three (3) months of employment, and a paid time off policy that includes vacation time, personal time, sick time, floating holidays, and eleven (11) 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; demonstrating our ongoing commitment to building a culture where our people feel empowered, supported, and inspired to do their best work.

Other Types of Pay

Performance‑based bonus and/or equity is available to employees in eligible roles.

Please Note

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

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.

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