Senior Scientist, Biologics Cell Line Development

Asimov; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

A biotechnology startup in Boston is seeking a Senior or Principal Scientist to lead CHO-based cell line development. This role involves managing a team and driving innovation in biotherapeutics. The ideal candidate has over 5 years of experience in CHO cell line development, a relevant Ph.D., and strong problem-solving skills. Candidates will contribute to research advancement through mentoring junior scientists and optimizing biomanufacturing processes. This position offers a unique opportunity to work in a dynamic environment pushing the boundaries of biological engineering.

Qualifications

• 5+ years CHO-based cell line development experience, especially expressing IgGs and bispecifics in an industrial CLD environment.
• Creative problem solver with a drive for innovation.
• Minimum 1 year managing direct reports and providing technical guidance.
• Minimum 1 year experience managing direct report(s).
• Nice to have vector optimization, CLD process optimization, or high-throughput screening experience.
• Experience with a global customer base is a bonus.

Responsibilities

• Perform CHO cell line development processes including transfection and cloning.
• Drive innovation by developing improved genetic components.
• Manage and mentor a team of 3+ scientists focused on CHO-based biologics.
• Represent the CLD team on cross-functional projects and communicate results clearly.
• Represent Asimov externally at conferences, forums, patents, and publications.
• Manage and mentor a team of 3+ scientists with technical direction.

Skills

CHO-based cell line development

Problem solving

Team management

Innovation

Education

Ph.D. in Biological Engineering, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or a related field

Tools

State-of-the-art lab equipment

Job description

Our mission at Asimov is to advance humanity's ability to design living systems, enabling biotechnologies with outsized benefit to society. We're developing a mammalian synthetic biology platform––from cells to software––to enable the design and manufacture of next-generation therapeutics.

We are seeking a Senior or Principal Scientist, commensurate with experience, to join our Biologics Cell Line Development team in Boston, MA and help push the boundaries of biotherapeutic cell line development. This role is for a scientific innovator and a manager of junior scientists. The successful candidate will conduct & supervise CHO-based cell line development for biologic therapeutics moving into clinical development. Significant effort designing complex experimental approaches to improve expression systems and workflows through innovation and implementation of new technology is also an important part of this role.

The successful candidate will also work cross-functionally with Asimov’s synthetic biology, modeling, process development and analytical teams. This is a unique opportunity to work at a nimble, forward-thinking synthetic biology startup and help build the future of biological engineering.

About the Role:

• You’ll perform CHO cell line development processes including transfection, cloning, characterization, and cell banking using state-of-the‑art equipment.

• You’ll drive innovation through the development of improved genetic components, host cell line engineering and cell line development process optimization.

• You’ll identify emerging practices for biologics cell line development and manufacturing to shape scientific strategies and continued innovation.

• You’ll represent the cell line development team on cross‑functional projects, making decisions for cell line activities and effectively communicating results, progress and plans.

• You’ll represent Asimov externally, contributing to industry conferences, industry forums, filing patents, and publishing peer‑reviewed manuscripts.

• You’ll manage and mentor a team of 3+ scientists focused on CHO-based biologics CLD, providing technical direction and supporting them in their professional development.

About You:

• Experience of 5+ years CHO-based cell line development is a must, stemming from expressing IgGs and bispecifics in an industrial CLD environment.

• You have a Ph.D. in Biological Engineering, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or a related field.

• You’re a creative problem solver never satisfied with the status quo and get excited about the opportunity to drive the creation of disruptive technology.

• Minimum 1 year experience managing direct report(s) and providing technical guidance.

• Don’t let this stop you from applying, but it’s a plus if you are familiar with any of the following: vector optimization to improve titer and product quality attributes for complex bispecific scaffolds; CLD process optimization; or development of automated high‑throughput screening for CLD workflows.

• Experience working with a global customer base isn’t a requirement for this role but bonus points if you have it.

We're fueled by a vision to transform biological engineering into a fully‑fledged engineering discipline. Should you join our team, you will grow with a constantly evolving organization and push the frontiers of synthetic biology. Company culture is key to Asimov, and ours is a culture of recombination; we believe that our mission can only be achieved by bringing together a diverse team with a mixture of backgrounds and perspectives.