Senior Scientist, Process Development (AAV)

Lexeo Therapeutics; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 136,200 - 172,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Competitive salary

Job summary

Lexeo Therapeutics seeks a Senior Scientist to lead development, optimization, and scale‑up of AAV manufacturing using Sf9/baculovirus and HEK‑based systems, contributing to early and late‑stage CMC activities including process characterization, technology transfer, control strategy development, and regulatory documentation.

The role combines hands‑on laboratory work with technical leadership across upstream, downstream, analytical, manufacturing, and quality teams to drive process performance,

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD with relevant life sciences/engineering focus and 3–6+ years of experience.
• Hands-on AAV production experience with Sf9/baculovirus and HEK platforms.
• Knowledge of virus/vector properties and upstream/downstream processes for viral vectors.
• Experience supporting process optimization, characterization, and late‑stage CMC.
• Demonstrated leadership in cross‑functional collaboration and regulatory readiness.
• Experience authoring or reviewing regulatory documentation.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and lead process development for AAV manufacturing.
• Perform hands‑on experiments to generate critical data and troubleshoot.
• Drive studies to optimize scalability, robustness, and technology transfer.
• Collaborate with upstream, downstream, analytical, manufacturing, and quality teams.
• Support late‑stage CMC deliverables, risk assessments, and regulatory readiness.
• Author and review study protocols, reports, and regulatory documents.
• Mentor junior staff and lead continuous process improvement initiatives.

Skills

AAV manufacturing

Sf9/baculovirus

HEK platforms

Process development

Regulatory documentation

Cross-functional collaboration

Mentoring

Technical leadership

Education

Master’s degree in Biochemical Engineering or related

PhD in a relevant field

Job description

The Senior Scientist supports development, optimization, and scale-up of AAV manufacturing processes using Sf9/baculovirus and HEK-based systems. This role contributes to early and late-stage CMC activities including process characterization, technology transfer, control strategy development, and regulatory documentation. The level of responsibility, technical leadership, and cross-functional ownership will be commensurate with experience.

Primary Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and lead process development and optimization studies for AAV manufacturing using Sf9 cells/baculovirus and HEK platforms.
• Perform hands‑on laboratory work to execute process development and optimization experiments, generate critical process data, and support technical troubleshooting.
• Support and, as appropriate, define study designs to drive process optimization, scalability, robustness, and technology transfer for clinical and late‑stage programs.
• Collaborate with and provide technical leadership across upstream, downstream, analytical, manufacturing, and quality teams to evaluate process performance and product quality.
• Support or own late‑stage CMC deliverables, including process characterization, risk assessments, control strategy development, technology transfer, and validation readiness.
• Author, review, and provide technical input for study protocols, technical reports, and regulatory documentation.
• Support or lead troubleshooting, investigations, mentoring of junior staff, and continuous process improvement initiatives.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Master’s degree in biochemical engineering, bioprocess engineering, molecular biology, cell biology, or relevant life sciences or engineering discipline with a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience, or PhD with at least 3 years of relevant experience.
• Hands‑on experience with upstream AAV production using Sf9 cells/baculovirus and HEK platforms required.
• Understanding of virus/viral vector properties and experience with development of upstream and downstream processes for viral vectors or gene therapy products are highly desirable.
• Working knowledge of downstream processing and analytical testing preferred.
• Experience supporting process optimization, characterization, and late‑stage CMC activities preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership in process development, cross‑functional collaboration, and late‑stage CMC readiness is expected.
• Experience authoring and reviewing regulatory documentation preferred.

Salary: $136,200 - $172,000 per year. Compensation is dependent on qualifications and experience.

Work arrangement: hybrid model with 2 days in the New York City office and 3 days working from home.

LEXEO Therapeutics is an EEO employer committed to an exciting, diverse, and enriching work environment.