Senior Scientist II, Recombinant Peptide Process Development

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California.

📋 Description

• Oversee activities related to the development of recombinant peptide processes, covering expression strategies, host and clone selection, optimization of processes, and scaling up.

• Formulate and assess expression constructs and microbial hosts, such as Escherichia coli and yeast.

• Create and evaluate strategies involving fusion-tags and carrier proteins, including His-tag, GST, SUMO, and inclusion-body expression.

• Design and perform clone screening experiments utilizing microscale cultivation, parallel bioreactors, and other high-throughput or scale-down methods.

• Develop and refine peptide recovery techniques, such as cell harvest and lysis, inclusion-body isolation and processing, and the chemical or enzymatic cleavage of fusion partners.

• Address issues related to aggregation, low solubility, degradation, incomplete cleavage, and co-eluting impurities.

• Analyze HPLC, UPLC, and LC-MS data to determine peptide identity, mass accuracy, purity, and process-related impurities.

• Assess emerging technologies and process methodologies, including the application of genetic code expansion when applicable.

• Utilize AI/ML techniques to analyze peptide sequences, structures, and experimental data.

• Convey scientific plans, advancements, challenges, conclusions, and recommendations to project teams and stakeholders.

• Mentor junior scientists and provide guidance in recombinant peptide bioprocessing.

• Contribute to scientific publications and presentations at conferences.

• Manage priorities and timelines while adhering to corporate standards for safety, quality, and compliance.

⛳️ Requirements

• PhD with typically 4+ years of relevant experience, a master’s degree or equivalent education with 10+ years of relevant experience, or a bachelor’s degree or equivalent education with typically 12+ years of relevant experience.

• Comprehensive theoretical and practical knowledge of pertinent scientific disciplines.

• Hands-on experience in microbial physiology and recombinant expression systems, especially E. coli and/or yeast.

• Capability to independently design, execute, and interpret crucial experiments.

• Experience in developing or optimizing expression processes for peptides, small proteins, or other products prone to degradation or instability.

• Familiarity with strain or clone screening, fermentation, and process optimization.

• Knowledge of bioreactors and scale-down or parallel cultivation methods.

• Experience in preparative chromatography and the purification of peptides or proteins.

• Expertise in peptide recovery and strategies for cleaving fusion partners.

• Strong skills in experimental design, data interpretation, troubleshooting, scientific writing, and verbal communication.

• Ability to juggle multiple priorities and timelines, working effectively within a matrixed, cross-functional environment.

🏝️ Benefits

• Paid time off, which includes vacation, holidays, and sick leave.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• 401(k) plan.

• Eligibility to participate in long-term incentive programs.