Senior Scientist

Avantor; Bridgewater Township (NJ); On-site; USD 107,500 - 173,075; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Paid time off 18 days

Parental leave 6 weeks

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Avantor is seeking a Senior Scientist with a strong background in mRNA technology and process development to lead and support process development initiatives across manufacturing operations for excipients and reagents.

The role requires a Ph.D. in a related field and 5+ years of industry experience in mRNA or nucleic acid processes, with hands-on expertise in IVT, purification, and analytical characterization. Strong data-driven problem solving and collaboration skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology or related field required.
• Minimum of 5+ years of industry experience in mRNA, RNA, nucleic acid, biologics, or pharmaceutical process development.
• Strong understanding of mRNA process development including IVT, purification, and analytical characterization.
• Hands-on experience with nucleic acid process development, molecular biology techniques, and scalable manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of DOE, QbD, process characterization, scale-up, risk assessment, and CPP/CQA relationships.
• Experience troubleshooting complex technical challenges and data-driven decision making.
• Excellent technical writing, presentation, and cross-functional communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize end-to-end mRNA manufacturing processes including DNA template generation, IVT, purification, and formulation interfaces.
• Develop robust workflows to improve yield, purity, quality, and manufacturability.
• Apply DOE, QbD, risk assessment, and statistical tools to build process understanding.
• Collaborate with Analytical Development to characterize identity, integrity, and impurities.
• Troubleshoot process and product-quality issues with root-cause analysis and mitigation.
• Author technical reports, development summaries, and regulatory-support documentation.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and drive continuous improvement in manufacturing concepts.

Skills

mRNA process development

IVT

DOE

QbD

Process characterization

Data analysis

Cross-functional communication

Education

Ph.D. in Molecular Biology

Tools

HPLC/UPLC

LC-MS

qPCR/ddPCR

Python

R

Minitab/JMP

Job description

The Opportunity:

Avantor is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Scientist with a strong background in mRNA Technology & Process Development to lead and support process development initiatives and manufacturing operations for excipients and reagents.

What We’re Looking For

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biotechnology, or a related field (required).
• Minimum of 5+ years of relevant industry experience in mRNA, RNA, nucleic acid, biologics, or pharmaceutical process development. Doctoral or relevant academic experience may be considered equivalent to industry experience.
• Strong understanding of mRNA process development, including DNA template generation, in vitro transcription (IVT), enzymatic processing, purification, and analytical characterization.
• Hands‑on experience with nucleic acid process development, molecular biology techniques, and scalable manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of process development principles including DOE, QbD, process characterization, scale‑up, risk assessment, and CPP/CQA relationships.
• Experience troubleshooting complex technical challenges, interpreting multidisciplinary data, and developing data‑driven solutions.
• Excellent technical writing, presentation, project leadership, and cross‑functional communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• End‑to‑end mRNA development experience from DNA template preparation through purified mRNA and formulation interface.
• Experience with IVT, capping/polyadenylation, chromatography, TFF/UF‑DF, process scale‑up, technology transfer, or GMP manufacturing support.
• Familiarity with high‑throughput automation, continuous manufacturing, process intensification, PAT, or advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Experience with mRNA analytical techniques such as HPLC/UPLC, LC‑MS, CE, qPCR/ddPCR, Bioanalyzer/TapeStation, sequencing, or impurity analysis.
• Experience applying DOE, QbD, JMP, Minitab, Python, R, or related statistical and data‑analysis tools.
• Exposure to GMP/GLP environments, regulatory documentation, method qualification, validation, or technology transfer activities.
• Experience evaluating emerging technologies, vendors, CDMOs, external collaborations, or technical due diligence opportunities.

How You Will Thrive and Create an Impact:

Process Development

• Design, develop, and optimize end‑to‑end mRNA manufacturing processes, including DNA template generation, IVT, enzymatic processing, purification, buffer exchange, and formulation interfaces.
• Develop robust and scalable workflows to improve mRNA yield, purity, quality, process robustness, and manufacturability.
• Apply DOE, QbD, risk assessment, and statistical tools to build process understanding and establish relationships between process parameters and product quality attributes.
• Collaborate with Analytical Development to characterize mRNA identity, integrity, purity, potency‑related attributes, and process impurities.
• Troubleshoot process and product‑quality challenges using scientific and data‑driven approaches, including root cause analysis and risk mitigation.
• Author technical reports, development summaries, risk assessments, SOPs, study protocols, and regulatory‑support documentation.
• Evaluate and demonstrate emerging technologies including synthetic DNA, novel purification approaches, automation, process intensification, and continuous manufacturing concepts.

Development Support

• Support process characterization, control strategy development, and implementation of CPPs, CQAs, in‑process controls, and process monitoring strategies.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, analytical, formulation, and regulatory teams to ensure successful process transfer and commercial readiness.
• Participate in deviation investigations, change controls, root cause analyses, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support GMP documentation activities including batch records, SOPs, process transfer packages, and validation‑related documentation.
• Assess external technologies, vendors, CDMOs, and strategic collaboration opportunities through proof‑of‑concept studies, technical due diligence, and workflow integration assessments.
• Present technical findings, recommendations, and development strategies to project teams, cross‑functional stakeholders, and senior leadership.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, safety, and operational rigor.

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Pay Transparency:

The expected pre‑tax pay for this position is $107,500.00 - $173,075.00. Actual pay may differ depending on relevant factors such as prior experience and geographic location.

EEO Statement:

We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law.

Benefits:

Avantor offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage, wellness programs, health savings and flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with company match, and an employee stock purchase program. Employees also receive 11 paid holidays, accrue 18 PTO days annually, are eligible for volunteer time off and 6 weeks of 100% paid parental leave (except in states that offer paid family leave). These benefits may not apply to employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement or those subject to other eligibility rules.

Accommodations:

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis.