Research Associate II

AskBio Inc., a wholly owned and independently operated subsidiary of Bayer AG, is a fully integrated gene therapy company dedicated to developing life-saving medicines and changing lives. The company maintains a portfolio of clinical programs across a range of neuromuscular, central nervous system, cardiovascular, and metabolic disease indications with a clinical-stage pipeline that includes investigational therapeutics for congestive heart failure, limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, multiple system atrophy, Parkinson’s disease, and Pompe disease. AskBio’s gene therapy platform includes Pro10, an industry-leading proprietary cell line manufacturing process, and an extensive array of capsids and promoters. With global headquarters in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and European headquarters in Edinburgh, Scotland, the company has generated hundreds of proprietary capsids and promoters, several of which have entered pre-clinical and clinical testing.

Our vision: Pioneering science to create transformative molecular medicines.

Our mission: Lead innovative science and drive clinical outcomes to transform people\’s lives.

Our Principles

• Advance innovative science by pushing boundaries.
• Bring transformative therapeutics to patients in need.
• Provide an environment for employees to reach their fullest potential.

Our Values

• Be a Pioneer. We are not afraid of the impossible and to innovate to make gene therapies accessible to those in need.
• Cultivate Collaboration. Strive to be the best teammate, actively listen, openly communicate, and embrace diverse points of view.
• Embrace Responsibility. We are humbled by the enormity of our mission. We hold a relentless commitment to advance science and clinical outcomes for our patients, families, and caregivers.
• Raise the Bar. Continuously drive improvements and efficiencies. Seek and provide constructive feedback. Have a bias for learning and action.
• Act with Uncompromising Integrity. Be honest, transparent, and committed to doing what’s right in every situation. Make clear commitments and follow through.

Position Summary

The role will primarily involve the production, purification and QC analysis of viruses from mammalian cells; therefore, experience of manufacturing processes (USP/DSP and QC) would be highly advantageous. Ideally, you will have experience of recombinant protein, virus or biologic manufacture in an industrial setting. This position is suitable for an individual motivated to learn and master new methods and techniques.

This on-site role will report to the Production Manager, Cell Line Development in our UK Edinburgh headquarters.

Job Responsibilities

• Working as part of the team to produce R&D scale adeno-associated virus (AAV) by cell culture and downstream purification.
• QC analysis of prepared AAV batches.
• Preparation of cell culture medium and reagents.
• Good lab management, ensuring appropriate levels of control over scientific data, equipment and materials. Maintaining appropriate levels of documentation and record keeping.
• Support the broader team to complete project deliverables.
• Health and Safety and GMO risk assessments and COSHH.
• Meeting our core values: Innovating to make gene therapies accessible to those in need, striving to be the best team mate, openly communicating, committed to advancing science and clinical outcomes, continuously drive improvements and efficiencies, be honest, transparent and committed to doing what is right.

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in Biology, Cellular Biology, Molecular Biology or a related scientific discipline OR Bachelor’s degree in the same fields with 2+ years’ relevant work experience OR 6+ years of role-relevant experience.
• Experience in the production of viruses (AAV preferable), recombinant protein or biologics, cell culture aseptic working techniques is essential.
• Experience of fundamental lab skills; pipetting, aliquoting reagents, media/solution preparation.
• Detail-oriented and able to perform precise work.

Preferred Education, Experience And Skills

• Knowledge of purification (DSP) and analytics (QC) for bioproducts would be advantageous.
• Technical knowledge of molecular biology techniques, such as PCR, cloning, and sequence analysis and manipulation, would be advantageous.
• Effective written and verbal communication across/between team members and management.
• Experience in H&S, COSHH, and Risk Assessments.
• Ability to manage own time/workload to meet deliverables with minimal oversight.

AskBio Inc. (AskBio) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected status prohibited under Federal, State or local laws. All employment decisions are based on valid job-related requirements. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website, you may request a reasonable accommodation to express interest in a specific opening by calling us at (919) 561-6210 or sending us an email at careers@askbio.com.

Agencies: Please do not contact any employee at AskBio about this requisition. Any resume submitted by a recruitment agency to any employee at AskBio, through any medium, will be deemed the sole property of AskBio unless the agency was engaged by AskBio Talent Acquisition team to recruit for that position. All agencies must have a prior executed service agreement with AskBio prior to any search engagement. If a candidate who was submitted outside of the AskBio agency process is hired by AskBio, no fee or payment of any kind will be paid to the agency.

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