Biologist II

Position Title: Biologist II

Work Location: Waltham, MA 02451

Assignment Duration: 6 months (possible extension- performance based)

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday

Background & Context: The contractors may potentially be converted to full-time employees when headcount becomes available in our organization.

Key Responsibilities:

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  Perform basic biologics purification process development, including ATAS, HPLC, chromatography, and membrane filtration.

  
  
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  Execute laboratory experiments and accurately record experimental data in the documentation system.

  
  
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  Work with managers and members of other groups to verify experimental conditions.

  
  
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  Interpret SOPs and contribute to experimental design where possible.

  
  
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  Work independently in the laboratory and begin executing experiments with minimal onboarding and training.

  
  

Qualification & Experience:

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  Her understanding is that Biologist II may be suitable for a fresh Master's graduate with 0+3 or 0+5 years of experience.

  
  
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  Relevant degrees: Chemical engineering, biochemistry, and biochemical engineering were mentioned as relevant majors. The Hiring Manager confirmed that chemical engineering and biochemical engineering are suitable degrees.

  
  
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  Practical, hands-on experience in the laboratory is critical. Both contractors will work onsite Monday through Friday and will be expected to execute numerous experiments.

  
  
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  Hands-on chromatography experience is a key requirement, including study design and execution. Relevant techniques include Protein A, ion exchange, affinity, HIC, mixed mode, and size exclusion. The Hiring Manager has no strong preference for any one technique and would like candidates to have experience with as many as possible. She noted that these techniques are transferable.

  
  
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  Hands-on filtration experience is required. TFF and UF/DF were discussed, with UF/DF identified as particularly important. The Hiring Manager described TFF as similar to UF/DF. The transcript also mentions stir filtration and depth filtration as easier techniques.

  
  
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  Candidates should have hands-on experience with typical biologics analytical techniques, such as running HPLC and SDS-PAGE.

  
  
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  Previous process characterization study experience is not essential, as the team can train candidates. The Hiring Manager said that fundamental hands-on chromatography experience should be sufficient for candidates to execute process characterization.

  
  
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  Biologics process development experience is preferred. Candidates from MSET or industry biopharma backgrounds may also be considered if they have relevant laboratory execution and characterization experience.

  
  
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  Viral clearance experience is an additional advantage. A candidate with chromatography experience as well as viral clearance experience would be a very strong candidate.

  
  
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  Candidates should be agile, accountable, reliable, hardworking, and have a can-do attitude. They should be easy to work with and communicate clearly.

  
  
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  Candidates should be able to work independently, use their own judgment when interpreting SOPs, and contribute to experimental design where possible. The team wants to minimize onboarding and training time so contractors can begin executing experiments quickly.