Biologics and Gene Therapy Research Associate

Key Responsibilities:

• Attending scheduled training and developing expertise in relevant instrumentation and techniques.
• Developing and validating methods and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Performing experiments with high precision, reproducibility, quality control and validation.
• Generating and completing records, with precision and accuracy in a timely manner.
• Troubleshooting experimental issues and bottlenecks to facilitate continued process and operational improvement.
• To maintain instruments as per appropriate cleaning and maintenance schedules.
• To execute assays and projects using state-of-the-art, Research Ireland and IDA Ireland funded instrumentation for Biologics, CLD and Gene Therapy research at CONCEPT, NIBRT.
• To design and optimise vectors for biologics and ATMP applications.
• To develop and validate methods for improved Biologics and Gene Therapy generation, performance, efficacy and applicability across a broader spectrum of applications.
• To engage in experimental design, development of project structures and plans.
• To contribute to establishment of efficiencies and operational excellence in laboratory operations.
• To support and develop project opportunities with academic and industry groups for advancement of biologics research and ATMP research.
• To generate and present publication-ready protocols, data and reports to stakeholders collaborators and clients.
• To represent CONCEPT and NIBRT at conferences and forums and to engage relevant stakeholders regarding ongoing research and development opportunities.
• To engage with pan-European consortia and other large groups in the Biologics and Gene Therapy space.

Essential and Desirable Criteria:

• An MSc and or PhD in biotechnology cell biology, molecular biology or another relevant field.
• Excellent cell culture skills, including CHO and HEK cell culture.
• A strong record in Biologics and Gene Therapy development and characterisation.
• Research experience or industrial experience in biotechnology or biopharmaceuticals.
• Experience in Biologics development using expression platform(s).
• Experience of mammalian cell line optimisation, clone isolation, characterisation, and banking.
• Experience in Ambr 15 and / or Ambr 250 instrument operation is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated capabilities developing mammalian expression technologies for the generation of monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins and / or multi-specific proteins.
• Experience in cloning and vector design
• Demonstrated capabilities in the genetic manipulation of CHO and HEK cells using gene editing tools.
• Experience in antibody characterisation techniques for assessment of kinetics, affinity and competitive binding using SPR or other techniques.
• Hands-on experience in developing and validating Gene Therapy products is advantageous.
• Experience in RT-PCR, dPCR, Sanger or other types of sequence characterisation.
• A passion for laboratory-based research, method development and a desire to trouble-shoot and optimise experiments to produce high quality outputs.
• A passion for detailed record keeping and schedule adherence.
• Proven ability to work well independently and contribute to efficient laboratory maintenance and operation.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively and engage positively with others for team success.
• Understanding of the landscape and challenges around provision of safe Biologics and Gene Therapies (toxicities, failures, adverse outcomes, manufacturing and scale-up challenges).
• An appreciation for the pre-GMP regulatory requirements that govern routes to clinical trial and licensing.
• Experience navigating the route from Biologics research through to Manufacture.
• A strong ability to communicate ideas and research findings.