Contract: 10-month fixed-term contract
Location: London (Hammersmith)
Reporting to: Director, Viral Vector Development
Orchard Therapeutics, a Kyowa Kirin company, is a global gene therapy leader focused on transforming the life of patients with rare disorders through innovative gene therapies based on gene-modified hematopoietic stem cells (HSC). Orchard has its global headquarters in London and U.S. headquarters in Boston.
Technical Development sits within Technical Operations at Orchard and is responsible for the development and characterization of Lentiviral Vectors (LVVs) and DS/DP production processes, which meet patient demand for therapeutic products of the best quality.
Reporting to the Director, Viral Vector Development, the Scientist II, Viral Vector Development, will support the Principal Scientist in the development of innovative, high-yield processes for production of lentiviral vectors to support early, and late-stage clinical studies. This role is based in our Hammersmith, London facilities within our global headquarters and will suit candidates who would like to join a global cell and gene therapy company with a diverse and dynamic work environment.
Key Elements and Responsibilities
· Support the design, development and improvement of upstream and downstream processes for LVVs to deliver robust manufacturing platforms for early and late-stage clinical and commercial development
· Compile process data, prepare databases to analyse results, confirm scientific hypotheses and/or propose new experiments
· Prepare, review and complete study reports and protocols/SOPs
· Assist with CMC and regulatory submissions
· Contribute to routine lab maintenance
· Communicate, share and discuss work progress internally and where appropriate with external partners
· Regularly exchange with external partners and CDMOs on process development and manufacturing activities to support ongoing projects.
Requirements
Experience & Knowledge
· Experience in biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry with a primary focus on the process development and manufacturing of viral vectors, preferably retro and lentiviral vectors
· Experience in cell line culture techniques and handling of adherent and suspension cell lines in different culture systems, with demonstrated skills in aseptic techniques
· Knowledge in bioprocessing, purification of viral vectors and virology
· Use of more specialist lab equipment e.g. bioreactors, AKTA or TFF systems is ideal
· Proficiency with MS office, MFCS, SnapGene, Unicorn, electronic lab-books and/or other commonly used software
Skills & Abilities
· Ability to operate in a fast paced, multidisciplinary environment
· Ability to document and maintain record of lab work, raw data and results
· Strong organization and planning skills
· Good communication and written skills for report-writing, team communications and presentations
· Able to independently design and execute experiments following laboratory procedures, appropriately analyse data and provide an interpretation of results
· Creativeness, motivation, and troubleshooting skills to solve problems and/or develop new technical capabilities
Education
· A minimum MSc or equivalent in a relevant scientific discipline: bioprocessing, cell and gene therapy, biological sciences, biotechnology etc, combined with at least one year of industrial experience.
