Job description

Location: Rockville, MD - onsite lab based position

We are delighted that we recently signed a contract to expand our space at Cambridge Park Drive (CPD Cambridge, MA) significantly. The expansion of the CPD facility is focused primarily on lab space and will bring together talent and expertise, especially to focus on cutting edge technologies. The lease for Rockville Vaccines site, where this role is currently being recruited, will expire by Q2 2026 and we have decided not to renew the lease. Consequently, this lab-based role may be relocated to Boston, Massachusetts in 2025.

The Nucleic Acid Vaccines Center of Excellence (NAV CoE), a team within the GSK Vaccine’s Technical Research and Development organization, has as a mission to develop the next generation mRNA vaccine platforms for rapid development of new vaccine candidates.

The NAV CoE is looking for a motivated scientist to join the mRNA Drug Substance process development team and drive development of new Drug Substance processes for clinical & commercial manufacturing of mRNA. Located in Rockville, MD, the position will play a significant role in shaping current and next generation GSK’s leading mRNA vaccine platforms to accelerate addressing unmet medical needs, an exciting field having a direct impact into patients and global health. This role provides the opportunity to integrate a diverse group of top talented experts in vaccines’ industry, lead key activities and further grow and progress in your career.

Main core responsibilities

• Develop robust, scalable, and well-characterized processes for the manufacture of mRNA Vaccines using QbD principles
• Hands-on development of purification / downstream processes for mRNA manufacturing and tech transfer
• Develop scale-down process models and perform process characterization utilizing DOE principles
• Manage and perform transfer of manufacturing processes from development labs to GMP facilities on firm timelines
• Represent the group in cross-functional program teams and translate project goals into actionable plans

Why you?

Basic Qualifications:

We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals:

• MS (with 6+ years of relevant experience) or;
• PhD (with 2+ years of relevant experience) with degree in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering or a related scientific field
• 2 + years of experience with different purification / downstream techniques such as chromatography and tangential flow filtration (TFF) and associated instrumentation such as AKTA chromatography systems and Unicorn software.
• 2 + years of industry experience in bioprocess development (late-phase preferred) and process technology transfer for large biomolecules using QbD principles

Preferred Qualifications:

If you have the following characteristics, it would be a plus:

• Proven track record in bioprocess development for the biomanufacturing of nucleic acids, preferably mRNA
• Broad understanding of overall process development and analytical development activities required for CMC support.
• Knowledge of the large molecule regulatory environment, particularly FDA/ICH/ISPE guidelines on risk management, technology transfer and process validation
• Experience and understanding in nucleic acid analytical technologies.

#LI-GSK

GSK is a global biopharma company with a special purpose – to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together – so we can positively impact the health of billions of people and deliver stronger, more sustainable shareholder returns – as an organisation where people can thrive. Getting ahead means preventing disease as well as treating it, and we aim to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of 2030.

Our success absolutely depends on our people. While getting ahead of disease together is about our ambition for patients and shareholders, it’s also about making GSK a place where people can thrive. We want GSK to be a workplace where everyone can feel a sense of belonging and thrive as set out in our Equal and Inclusive Treatment of Employees policy. We’re committed to being more proactive at all levels so that our workforce reflects the communities we work and hire in, and our GSK leadership reflects our GSK workforce.

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