Scientist - Upstream Process Development

Zenith LifeScience; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 55,000 - 83,000; Part time

Job summary

Zenith LifeScience in Gaithersburg, MD seeks an Upstream Process Development Contractor to optimize microbial glycoprotein production and support high-throughput screening.

You will use automated liquid-handling systems for colony screening, sample prep, assay setup, and data generation, collaborating with teams across upstream process development, molecular biology, analytical biochemistry, and automation.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, biotechnology, or bioengineering.
• Hands-on molecular biology, immunoassay methods (ELISA), and microbial culture experience.
• Ability to follow protocols while contributing ideas to improve workflows.
• High-throughput screening or automated liquid-handling experience preferred.
• Bacterial strain engineering, transformation or mutant library experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support design, execution, and analysis of experiments to identify high-producing colonies and optimize glycoprotein production conditions.
• Develop and execute high-throughput microbial screening workflows using automated liquid-handling systems.
• Prepare cultures, samples, reagents, and assay plates per approved protocols.
• Operate and learn to program automated lab equipment for liquid transfer, dilution, and plate prep.
• Screen mutant libraries and assess glycoprotein production using analytical methods including ELISA.
• Perform DNA extraction, PCR, plasmid prep, transformation, and gel electrophoresis.
• Evaluate and optimize microbial libraries to identify improved glycoprotein producers.
• Contribute to sample prep and data generation for whole-genome sequencing and related analyses.
• Support experiments involving enzymatic glycosylation and glycoprotein characterization.
• Record procedures and results in electronic lab systems and documentation.
• Analyze data, identify trends, and communicate findings to project teams.
• Follow biosafety, quality, data integrity, and company procedures.
• Contribute to automation, genomics, and high-throughput process development.
• Work independently while collaborating with cross-functional scientific teams.

Skills

Molecular biology

Immunoassays (ELISA)

Automated liquid-handling

Glycoprotein production

Bacterial expression systems

Data analysis (Excel, GraphPad)

Laboratory automation

Genome sequencing prep

Team collaboration

Quality documentation

Education

Master’s or PhD in molecular biology/biochemistry/microbiology/biotechnology/bioengineering

Bachelor’s with relevant lab experience

Tools

ELISA

PCR

DNA extraction

Automation platforms

Job description

The Bacterial Vaccines Biochemistry Team is seeking a motivated Upstream Process Development Contractor to support the optimization of microbial glycoprotein production. The successful candidate will contribute to a high-throughput screening program designed to identify microbial colonies with enhanced glycoprotein expression from a library of mutants.

The role will involve the use of automated liquid-handling platforms to support experimental workflows, including colony screening, sample preparation, assay set-up, and data generation. The contractor will work closely with scientists across upstream process development, molecular biology, analytical biochemistry, and automation.

This is suited to a candidate with practical experience in molecular biology techniques and immunoassays, together with an interest in developing expertise in laboratory automation, whole-genome sequencing, enzymatic glycosylation, library optimization, and high-throughput bioprocessing.

Job Responsibilities

• Support the design, execution, and analysis of experiments to identify high-producing microbial colonies and optimize glycoprotein production conditions. Responsibilities will include:
• Supporting the development and execution of high-throughput microbial colony screening workflows using automated liquid-handling systems.
• Preparing microbial cultures, samples, reagents, and assay plates in accordance with approved experimental protocols.
• Operating and learning to program automated laboratory equipment for liquid transfer, dilution, plate preparation, and sample processing.
• Screening mutant libraries and assessing glycoprotein production using appropriate analytical methods, including immunoassays such as ELISA.
• Performing routine molecular biology techniques, which may include DNA extraction, PCR, plasmid preparation, transformation, and agarose gel electrophoresis.
• Supporting the evaluation and optimization of microbial libraries to identify improved glycoprotein-producing candidates.
• Contributing to sample preparation and data generation for whole-genome sequencing and related genomic analysis activities.
• Supporting experiments involving enzymatic glycosylation and the characterization of glycoprotein production.
• Recording experimental procedures, observations, and results accurately in electronic laboratory systems and approved documentation.
• Analyzing experimental data, identifying trends, and communicating findings to project team members.
• Following all relevant laboratory, biosafety, quality, data integrity, and company procedures.

Required Skills & Education:

• Master’s degree or PhD in molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, biotechnology, bioengineering, or a related discipline. Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree and relevant laboratory experience may also be considered, depending on their practical expertise.
• Hands-on knowledge of molecular biology techniques, microbial culture, and immunoassay methods, preferably including ELISA. Experience with bacterial expression systems, protein or glycoprotein production, colony screening, library screening, or assay development would be advantageous.
• Requires a careful and methodical approach to laboratory work, with the ability to follow protocols consistently while also contributing ideas to improve experimental workflows. The successful candidate should be comfortable working with repetitive, high-throughput experiments, analyzing quantitative data, and maintaining accurate records.
• High-throughput screening or automated liquid-handling platforms.
• Bacterial strain engineering, transformation, or mutant library generation.
• Recombinant protein or glycoprotein expression and characterization.
• ELISA development, optimization, or other plate-based immunoassays.
• Whole-genome sequencing sample preparation or interpretation of sequencing results.
• Enzymatic glycosylation or glycoengineering.
• Laboratory automation, liquid-handler programming, or integration of automated workflows.
• Data analysis using tools such as Excel, GraphPad Prism, or equivalent software.
• Work in an industrial, regulated, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or vaccine-development environment.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple experiments simultaneously.
• Clear communication and reliable documentation practices.
• Sound experimental judgment and commitment to laboratory safety and data integrity.
• Enthusiasm for learning new technologies, particularly automation, genomics, and high-throughput process development.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional scientific teams.