Senior CHO Cell Line Development Scientist

Exelixis Inc; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 213,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Medical, dental & vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

FSAs

Discretionary annual bonus

Stock purchase plan

Long-term incentives

Vacation & holidays

Sick days

Job summary

Exelixis Inc. seeks a senior BiotherapeuticsCell Line Development Scientist to advance CHO‑based mammalian cell lines for early‑phase biologics and ADC candidates. You will design vectors, engineer host cells, perform transfections, cloning, and stability assessments while ensuring monoclonality and product quality.

The role emphasizes independent execution, cross‑functional collaboration, data-driven decisions, and rigorous documentation in a fast‑paced biotech environment.

Qualifications

• PhD in molecular biology, biochemistry, biology, or microbiology with 5+ years in biotech/pharma OR
• MS with 9+ years OR
• BS with 11+ years of relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute CHO-based cell line development experiments for biologics progressing to clinical development.
• Improve expression systems and workflows through novel technology and boundary-pushing approaches.
• Perform cell line development steps: transfection, single-cell cloning, monoclonality documentation, screening and progression, and cell banking.
• Develop vectors and genetic components; engineer host cells and optimize cell line development processes.
• Identify emerging practices in biologics cell line development to guide scientific strategy.
• Represent the cell line development team on cross-functional projects and communicate results clearly.

Skills

Molecular biology

CHO cell culture

Transfection methods

Monoclonality analysis

Vector design

Regulatory knowledge

Data analysis

Communication skills

Education

PhD in molecular biology

MS in related field

BS in biology

Tools

HPLC

LC/MS

CE

Job description

Exelixis Inc. seeks a senior BiotherapeuticsCell Line Development Scientist to advance CHO‑based mammalian cell lines for early‑phase biologics and ADC candidates. You will design vectors, engineer host cells, perform transfections, cloning, and stability assessments while ensuring monoclonality and product quality.

The role emphasizes independent execution, cross‑functional collaboration, data-driven decisions, and rigorous documentation in a fast‑paced biotech environment.