Scientist - Viral Vector Development

Rose International; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Rose International is recruiting a collaborative Scientist to accelerate lentiviral vector (LVV) and adeno-associated virus (AAV) generation platforms. The role focuses on increasing production throughput and yield to support rapid screening and pipeline studies.

You will work with a cutting-edge research team on viral vector based modalities and contribute to improving research workflows. The position emphasizes automation, DOE-driven process development, and robust data handling.

Qualifications

• MS/PhD degree with 3+ years of lab or industrial experience.

Responsibilities

• Integrate automation and high-throughput LVV and AAV workflows with automated liquid handling systems for transfection, transduction, sample dilution and seeding.
• Design, execute and optimize upstream LVV production from seed train to harvest using DOE on multivariate transfection conditions and plasmid ratios.
• Develop downstream LVV processing including depth filtration, microfiltration, TFF and chromatography for purification.
• Perform physical and functional QC of LVV and AAV vectors and integrate QC into process development for rapid improvements.
• Maintain organized virus inventory and SOPs; present data in team and department meetings.
• Adhere to local regulations and notes that only those authorized to work in the designated country will be considered.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Molecular biology techniques

Data analysis

Lentiviral engineering

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Western blot

Education

MS/PhD in Biology or related field

Tools

Flow cytometry

BSL-2 facility management

Electronic notebook

Job description

• MS/PhD degree in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Virology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Genetics, or a related discipline with 3+ years of laboratory research or industrial experience.

Required Education

• MS/PhD degree in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Virology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Genetics, or a related discipline with 3+ years of laboratory research or industrial experience.

Required Skills

• Proficient in mammalian cell culture and general molecular biology techniques such as transient plasmid transfection, PCR, qPCR, ddPCR, dPCR and Western blot.
• Require strong data analysis and presentation skills.
• Previous experience with ex vivo CAR T engineering using lentivirus is a must.
• Must be self‑motivated, detail‑oriented, analytical, highly organized, and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Skills

• Working experience with lentivirus or AAV production in adherent or suspension cells, process development, statistical DOE modeling and automated liquid handling are highly desirable.
• Experience with flow cytometer operations, electronic notebook and BSL2 facility management are also strong plus.

Summary

We are seeking a collaborative and driven Scientist to accelerate our lentiviral vector (LVV) and adeno‑associated virus (AAV) generation platforms. The primary objective of this engagement is to increase viral vector production throughput and yield to support rapid turnaround for screening and pipeline studies. This is an exciting opportunity to work with a cutting‑edge research team, contribute to the development of innovative viral vector based therapeutic modalities and support our research community in applying viral vectors as powerful research tools.

Responsibilities

• Integration of automation and high‑throughput LVV and AAV workflows. Implement and program automated liquid handling systems (e.g., Integra Assist Plus, Bravo etc) for high‑throughput transfection, transduction, sample dilution and cell seeding. Incorporate high‑throughput shaker arrays or automated micro‑scale bioreactor platforms (e.g., Ambr® 15 or Ambr® 250) to run parallel mini‑scale expression runs. Troubleshoot liquid‑class parameters, pipetting precision, and plasticware compatibility to minimize batch‑to‑batch variation.
• Develop and optimize suspension‑based lentiviral vector (LVV) upstream production platform. Design, execute, and characterize robust, scalable upstream processes, from seed train expansion through shake flask production and primary harvest. Apply Design of Experiments (DOE) methodologies to systematically explore multivariate interactions including multi‑plasmid transient transfection conditions, plasmid ratios, transfection reagents (e.g., PEI, lipid nanoparticles), DNA‑to‑cell ratios, harvest timing, feed schedule and chemical enhancers to boost packaging efficiency.
• Development and establishment of downstream LVV process. Evaluate and identify optimal low‑shear depth filtration and microfiltration protocols tailored to large scale virus production. Develop and optimize ultrafiltration/diafiltration (TFF) and chromatographic purification methodologies.
• Conduct cutting‑edge analytics for LVV and AAV QC. Perform physical and functional characterization of viral vectors to interpret quality attributes and ensure high‑quality services. Integrate QC in the uptream/downstream process development for rapid identification of factors for improvement.
• Data, Inventory and Protocol Management: Analyze multivariate process datasets using excel, Prism or AI agent to facilitate fast progression of projects. Maintain a meticulously organized virus inventory and registry utilizing digital informatics platforms to ensure data integrity and traceability. Author standardoperating procedures (SOPs), technical reports and tech transfer protocols. Present data in group and department meetings.
• **Only those lawfully authorized to work in the designated country associated with the position will be considered.**
• **Please note that all Position start dates and duration are estimates and may be reduced or lengthened based upon a client’s business needs and requirements.**

About Rose

• Founded in 1993
• Office Locations Across the U.S.
• 150+ Clients: Corporations and Government Agencies
• Employee Oriented Company
• Challenging Assignments Across the U.S.
• Continuous Professional Development

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