Sr. Scientist – Process Development

Avantor; Bridgewater Township (NJ); On-site; USD 108,000 - 173,000; Full time

Job summary

Avantor in New Jersey seeks a PhD scientist to develop and implement mRNA manufacturing solutions. You will plan hands-on studies at internal and customer labs, addressing issues from DNA templates to IVT and formulation interfaces.

The role requires 5+ years in mRNA or related fields, strong data analysis, DOE/QbD expertise, and cross-functional collaboration to drive scalable processes and regulatory documentation.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in related field required.
• 5+ years of industry experience in mRNA, RNA, nucleic acids, biologics, or pharmaceutical process development.
• Strong understanding of IVT, DNA template generation, enzymatic processing, 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, 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, safety, and operational rigor.

Skills

mRNA process development

DOE / QbD

GMP knowledge

Education

PhD in Life Sciences

5+ years exp

Tools

HPLC/UPLC

TFF/UF-DF

Job description

The Opportunity:

Under limited supervision, develop and implement solutions for customers based on our products and services through close collaboration with customers and other innovation associates/scientists. Identify and develop innovative applications for a range of products to solve specific customer issues by planning and executing hands on studies at internal and customer laboratories.

WhatWe’reLooking For

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biotechnology, ora 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, andoptimizeend-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 andestablishrelationships 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, andregulatory-supportdocumentation.

• Evaluate anddemonstrateemerging 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 processmonitoringstrategies.

• 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.

Why Avantor?

Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science. The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom's voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor. We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world.

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.

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. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the Know Your Rights poster.

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.