Sr. Manager, R&D- Upstream - Warminster, PA

FUJIFILM Biosciences; Warminster Township (Bucks County); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Life Insurance

401k

Paid Time Off

Job summary

FUJIFILM Biosciences is seeking a Sr. R&D Manager - Upstream in the United States to lead upstream process development for bacterial and mammalian expression systems, including cloning, testing, and cell culture development.

This role guides projects to GMP readiness and drives cross-functional workflows across teams. This leadership position emphasizes data integrity, documentation, and communication with senior management, while fostering a collaborative startup-like environment.

Qualifications

• Masters or PhD in a Biological/Chemical Science with relevant work experience.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant working experience.
• Exposure to GMP environment.
• People leadership and staff development.
• Experience in fermentation process development.
• Hands-on with 5L to 100L fermenter (bacterial).
• Bioreactor mammalian operations experience.
• Process scale-up from R&D to production.
• Mammalian cell culture including primary cell isolation and cell line development.
• Genetic constructs for bacterial and mammalian protein expression.
• Working in a cGMP environment.
• Strong management and communication skills; excellent documentation.
• Organizational skills; independent, self-motivated, detail-oriented.
• Team player; capable of multi-tasking in a compliance-driven setting.
• Fluent in English; travel up to 15%.

Responsibilities

• Lead upstream process development (bacterial and mammalian) and manufacturing align with business goals.
• Troubleshoot technical challenges during R&D and manufacturing.
• Lead production of cell banks for bacterial and mammalian systems.
• Develop mammalian clones and characterization for clonal products and banking.
• Maintain manufacturing records and ensure data quality.
• Present data to department and project teams; write SOPs and reports.
• Assess project scope, schedule, and budget; ensure timely delivery.
• Research, design and evaluate materials, processes, and equipment.
• Suggest training tools to enhance performance; monitor metrics.
• Oversee documentation of all phases of R&D.

Skills

GMP experience

Fermentation development

Cell culture

Team leadership

Process scale-up

Cloning & expression

Data analysis

Documentation

English communication

Project management

Independent work

Travel readiness

Education

Master's or PhD in Biological/Chemical Science

Job description

Position Description

We are hiring a Sr. R&D Manager - Upstream. The Sr. R&D Manager - Upstream will lead upstream process development including Cloning, Expression Testing and Cell Culture Development (bacterial and mammalian) for recombinant growth factors. Lead Research Use Only to GMP conversion, manage multiple projects and establish cross-functional and cross-department workflows, document data under GMP guidelines, prepare presentations for meetings and reports for senior management as needed. Lead, manage and deliver high profile, publication quality research and development work tied to business needs and support colleagues within the organization to do the same by fostering learning, respect, and collaboration.

Company Overview

At FUJIFILM Biosciences, we turn curiosity into breakthroughs that advance the field of life sciences. By offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and services in cell culture media, discovery research reagents, recombinant growth factors and proteins, fine chemicals, and critical assay materials, we partner with the brightest minds in biotech and pharma to tackle the world’s biggest health challenges.

Imagine being part of a team that enables life-changing discoveries like new vaccines, therapies, and advancements in regenerative medicine. Our culture fosters curiosity, collaboration, and innovation, and we pride ourselves on delivering unparalleled quality and service to our partners. If you’re ready to make an impact, your future belongs with us at FUJIFILM Biosciences.

Our headquarters in Santa Ana, California, is surrounded by world-class schools, lush parks, and scenic beaches like Laguna and Huntington, making it an ideal place to live, work, and explore. With additional campuses across the US, Europe, China, and Japan, we offer opportunities to make a difference worldwide.

Fujifilm is globally headquartered in Tokyo with over 70,000 employees across four key business segments of healthcare, electronics, business innovation, and imaging. We are guided and united by our Group Purpose of “giving our world more smiles.” Visit: https://www.fujifilm.com/us/en/about/region/careers

Job Description

Responsibilities:

• Lead upstream process development (Bacterial and Mammalian) and manufacturing to support business goals
• Troubleshoot technical challenges during R&D and manufacturing
• Lead production of cell banks of Bacterial and Mammalian expression systems for use in manufacturing
• Lead development of new mammalian clones and characterization for establishment of clonal products and cell banking using industry best practices
• Maintain manufacturing records
• Present data to the department and project teams
• Write standard operating procedures, study reports, relevant sections of regulatory filings, and scientific presentations
• Assess the scope of research projects and ensure they are on time and within budget
• Research, design and evaluate materials, assemblies, process, and equipment
• Suggest training tools to enhance employee performance and skill development
• Monitor team metrics and objectives ensuring meeting of goals
• Oversee in documenting all phases of research and development

Required Skills/Education

• Masters or PhD in a Biological/Chemical Science plus relevant work experience
• Minimum 8 years of relevant working experience
• Exposure to GMP environment
• People leadership and staff development
• Experience in fermentation process development
• Hands-on experience with operating 5L to 100L fermenter (bacterial).
• Hands-on experience with bioreactor (mammalian) operations.
• Experience with process scale-up from R&D to production scale.
• Experience in mammalian cell culture including primary cell isolation, cell line development, and statistical data analysis.
• Experience in making genetic constructs for bacterial and mammalian protein expression.
• Working in a cGMP environment
• Good management, communication both oral and written and organizational skills.
• Excellent organizational and documentation skills.
• Ability to work independently, with minimal supervision, highly self-motivated and detail-oriented individual, with proven ability to work in a dynamic and fast paced environment in a small startup company.
• Ability to work as a team player with a positive attitude
• Ability to multi-task, attentive to details, and working within a compliance-driven department
• Ability to speak, write and read English fluently
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Travel up to 15%.

Salary And Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life Insurance
• 401k
• Paid Time Off

EEO Information

Fujifilm is committed to providing equal opportunities in hiring, promotion and advancement, compensation, benefits, and training regardless of nationality, age, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, political creed, ideology, national, or social origin, disability, veteran status, etc.

ADA Information

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to our HR Department ([e-mail]).