Senior Scientist (AAV Manufacturing and Release)

Opus Genetics; North Carolina; On-site; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site in Durham, NC

Salary range $140K–$160K

Job summary

Scorpion Therapeutics in Durham, NC is seeking a Senior Scientist in Discovery & Translational Research to establish and execute research-grade AAV manufacturing for gene therapy programs. You will lead end-to-end production and collaborate cross-functionally to align material quality with development needs.

The role requires 5+ years in AAV production, hands-on experience, and strong documentation practices.

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, or related field.
• 5+ years industry experience in AAV production, process development, or gene therapy research.
• Hands-on expertise in upstream/downstream AAV processing, analytical characterization, and process troubleshooting.
• Strong understanding of AAV quality attributes and testing coordination.
• Experience establishing research-grade workflows and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Independently perform all phases of AAV production including cell culture, transfection, purification, characterization, and release.
• Optimize workflows.
• Troubleshoot processes.
• Collaborate with Discovery, Analytical Development, and CMC teams to ensure research material quality and alignment with development needs.
• Maintain compliant laboratory operations.

Skills

AAV production

Process development

Analytical characterization

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Education

B.S./M.S. in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology or Biochemistry

Tools

AAV purification equipment

Analytical characterization techniques

Documentation systems

Job description

Role:

Senior Scientist in Discovery & Translational Research responsible for establishing and executing research-grade AAV manufacturing for gene therapy programs.

Responsibilities:

• independently perform all phases of AAV production, including cell culture, transfection, purification, characterization, and release;
• optimize workflows;
• troubleshoot processes;
• collaborate with Discovery, Analytical Development, and CMC teams to ensure research material quality and alignment with development needs;
• maintain compliant laboratory operations.

Requirements:

• B.S. or M.S. in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, or related field;
• 5+ years industry experience in AAV production, process development, or gene therapy research;
• hands-on expertise in upstream/downstream AAV processing, analytical characterization, and process troubleshooting;
• strong understanding of AAV quality attributes and testing coordination;
• experience establishing research-grade workflows and documentation.

HighValue:

• gene therapy
• AAV vectors
• research-stage manufacturing
• process development
• analytical characterization
• Durham, NC
• salary $140K–$160K
• collaborative research environment