Senior Scientist, Analytical Development (FFBA)

BioSpace; New Jersey; On-site; USD 127,000 - 167,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement with company match

Paid parental leave

Paid time off and holidays

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Legend Biotech is seeking a Senior Scientist, Analytical Development (FFBA) to join the Technical Development team in Somerset, NJ. You will establish, develop, and qualify analytical assays such as flow cytometry, cell culture-based methods, and immunoassays to support the development and manufacturing of cell therapy products.

The role requires leading scientific initiatives, mentoring junior staff, and ensuring data integrity while collaborating with QC, PD and Manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (PhD or Master) in immunology, cell biology, biomedical engineering, or equivalent.
• 5-8 years (PhD) or 8-10 years (Master) of experience in method development of gene-modified products in analytical development or QC in biotech/pharma.
• Deep understanding of ICH guidelines and regulatory expectations for method development/qualification/validation.
• Experience in analytical method development and validation in late-stage product development is preferred.
• Experience with lentiviral vector product releasing and characterization methods including multicolor flow cytometry, cell culture, potency assays, immunoassays, and titer assays.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and execute analytical methods to support release and characterization of cell and gene therapy products.
• Lead cross-functional collaborations with QC, PD, and Manufacturing to ensure seamless assay execution and transfer.
• Author and review analytical methods, SOPs, and validation documents.
• Perform pre-qualification, assay qualification, release testing and stability studies in a QC environment.
• Mentor junior staff and drive scientific decision-making across multidisciplinary project teams.

Skills

Method development

Flow cytometry

Cell culture

Data analysis

GxP compliance

Education

PhD in immunology/biomedical sciences

Master in biotech/engineering

Tools

Excel

PowerBI

GraphPad Prism

FlowJo

FCS Express

LabVantage

ELN

Job description

Legend Biotech is a global biotechnology company dedicated to treating and, one day, curing life-threatening diseases. Headquartered in Bridgewater, New Jersey, we are advancing the next generation of cell therapy through a portfolio of innovative technologies, including autologous, allogeneic, and in vivo cell therapy approaches. Our research spans chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T), T-cell receptor (TCR-T), natural killer (NK) cell-based therapies, and other emerging platforms designed to transform the treatment of serious diseases. From our global network of research and development sites, we are committed to discovering and developing safe, effective, and cutting-edge therapies for patients worldwide.

Legend Biotech entered into a global collaboration agreement with Johnson & Johnson to jointly develop and commercialize CARVYKTI® (ciltacabtagene autoleucel; cilta-cel). Through this strategic partnership, we combine complementary expertise and capabilities to advance innovative immunotherapies for patients living with multiple myeloma.

Legend Biotech is seeking a Senior Scientist, Analytical Development (FFBA) as part of the Technical Development team based in Somerset, NJ.

Role Overview

We are seeking a dynamic and scientifically driven Senior Scientist to join our empowered Analytical Development organization. This role will focus on the establishment, development and qualification of analytical assays, including but not limited to flow cytometry-based methods, cell culture-based methods, immunoassays, compendial methods, and other bioanalytical strategies to support the development and manufacturing of Legend’s pipelines. The ideal candidate will be a hands-on leading scientist, capable of mentoring junior scientists while also contributing strategically to cross-functional collaborations with other functional teams, and deeply understanding of GxP requirement.

Key Responsibilities

Develop, optimize, and execute analytical methods to support cell and gene therapy product releasing and characterization, including but not limited to compendial methods, titer, particle size, flow cytometry, cell-based potency or functional methods, and bioanalytical (e.g., ELISA) assays.

Guide method development activities to support phase-appropriate analytical deliverables (including potency, purity, safety, etc.) with an emphasis on scientific rigor, data integrity, and patient-centricity.

Drive the timely tech transfer of assays from collaborators to AD, and/or from AD to QC and external collaborators.

Identify and refine critical parameters and material/reagents during assay prequalification activities; generate and qualify critical materials including but not limited to cell banks.

Drive the development and qualification of release assays for early-phase clinical programs, and ensure execution on aggressive timelines.

Author and review analytical related documentation including but not limited to analytical methods, SOPs, protocols, and reports.

Performing pre-qualification, assay qualification, product release testing, and product stability testing in a quality control environment.

Collaborate cross-functionally with QC, PD and Manufacturing teams to ensure seamless assay execution, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement.

Present scientific data and trends at internal and external forums

Ensure proper documentation practices including lab notebooks, QC records, and equipment maintenance logs.

Balance multiple projects while meeting established timelines.

This role is empowered to make independent decisions related to the planning, execution, analysis, and troubleshooting of analytical method development, qualification, transfer, and characterization activities within established project timelines and departmental objectives. The Senior Scientist is expected to exercise scientific judgment in experimental design, data interpretation, risk assessment, and the recommendation of technical solutions to complex analytical challenges. Collaboration, consensus, and alignment with management are required for decisions that may impact program strategy, regulatory submissions, project timelines, resource allocation, quality systems, or cross-functional development activities. The position is also expected to provide technical guidance to junior staff and contribute to scientific decision-making across multidisciplinary project teams.

Requirements

Advanced degree (PhD or Master) in immunology, cell biology, biomedical engineering, or equivalent. 5-8 years (PhD) or 8-10 years (Master) of experience in method development of gene-modified products in analytical development and/or QC in a biotech, or pharmaceutical setting. Technical training / certification is desirable.

Uses professional concepts in accordance with company objectives to solve complex problems in creative and effective ways.

Expertise in analytical method development and qualification is required (Vaccine, Biologics, Viral Vector, or CGT).

Solid understanding of ICH guidelines and regulatory expectations for method development and qualification/validation.

Expertise in analytical method development and validation in late stage is preferred.

Experience in analytical comparability strategy, method bridging, method transfer activities for early and late phase in product development. Global experience is a plus.

Experience in developing lentiviral vector product releasing and characterization methods including multicolor flow cytometry methods, cell culture including reporter gene cell line development, potency assays, cytotoxicity assays and cytokine release assays, immunoassays, infectious titer assays.

Exercises independent judgment in developing methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results.

Deep understanding and experience in analytical data trending, critical reagent and material determination and qualification, establishment of product releasing specification for early and late stage product development.

Guide the establishing and authoring of SOPs/procedures, protocols, and reports for analytical methods and activities.

Authorship in IND/BLA preparation is preferred.

Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop junior staff in a matrixed and collaborative environment.

Detail-oriented with expertise in problem solving and solid decision-making abilities.

Experience implementing or executing compendial methods (HPLC, Ph, Osmolality, Particulate Matter, etc) is preferred.

Excellent presentation skills, scientific/technical writing skills, and communication skills.

Guide the establishing and authoring of SOPs/procedures for established methods.

Experience with:Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc

GraphPad Prism, other data analysis tools (PowerBI, JUMP, R)

CytoExpert, FCS express, NovoExpress, FlowJo, etc

ELN, LabVantage, etc.

Language(s): Strong written and verbal English skills are required. Mandarin preferred.

AI Literacy: Possesses a working knowledge of AI technologies and approved AI tools, applies them responsibly to enhance productivity and decision-making, exercises appropriate human oversight of AI-generated outputs, and complies with organizational policies governing AI use.

The base pay range below is what Legend Biotech USA Inc. reasonably expects to offer at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, skills, qualifications, and geographic location. The company reserves the right to modify this range as needed and in accordance with applicable laws.

Other Types of Pay: Performance-based bonus and/or equity is available to employees in eligible roles.

Benefits and Paid Time Off: Medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a 401(k) retirement plan with a company match that vests fully on day one. We offer eight (8) weeks of paid parental leave after just three (3) months of employment, and a paid time off policy that includes vacation time, personal time, sick time, floating holidays, and eleven (11) company holidays. Additional voluntary benefits include flexible spending and health savings accounts, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, legal assistance, and supplemental plans such as pet, critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance. We also provide voluntary commuter benefits, family planning and care resources, well-being initiatives, and peer-to-peer recognition programs; demonstrating our ongoing commitment to building a culture where our people feel empowered, supported, and inspired to do their best work.

Pay Range (Base Pay)

$127,313 - $167,099 USD

Please note: These benefits are offered exclusively to permanent full-time employees. Contractors are not eligible for benefits through Legend Biotech.

Work Authorization & Employment Eligibility

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. As part of our commitment to maintaining a lawful workforce and ensuring compliance with federal employment regulations, we participate in the E-Verify program. If you are selected for employment, you will be required to complete the Form I-9 process, and your employment eligibility will be verified through E-Verify in accordance with applicable federal law. We are committed to providing a fair, transparent, and welcoming hiring experience for all candidates.

EEO Statement

It is the policy of Legend Biotech to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances.

Employment is at-will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause or notice by the employee or the company.

For information related to our privacy notice, please review: Legend Biotech Privacy Notice.