Scientist, Replicon RNA Process Development - La Jolla, CA

JanssenResearch & Development, L.L.C., a division of Johnson & Johnson'sFamily of Companies, is recruiting for a Scientist, Replicon RNA ProcessDevelopment , within the RNA & TargetedTherapeutics group located in La Jolla, CA (San Diego area).

At theJanssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, we are working tocreate a world without disease. Transforming lives by finding new and betterways to prevent, intercept, treat and cure disease inspires us.

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RNA & Targeted Therapeutics is an organization withinDiscovery Sciences committed to the delivery of high-quality drug candidates inthe novel synthetic modalities space working closely with all six JanssenTherapeutic Area (TA) discovery teams.

The successful candidate will support the program goals andstrategy of the group working to develop and deploy our RNA-based vaccineplatform across multiple disease indications.

The candidate will demonstrateexpertise in the process development and manufacturing of mRNA / RNA therapeutic / vaccinecandidates and the ability to apply these skills in unique and clever ways.

She / he will work closely and collaboratively with both internal and externalpartners to advance potential products into the clinic.

The Scientist will havesignificant laboratory activities, be responsible for process development,implementing new purification & scale-up techniques, and improving overallRNA vaccine manufacturing strategies to ultimately support manufacturing andCMC endeavors for multiple projects.

The Scientist will also have theopportunity to lead internal projects and external collaborations.

Key Responsibilities :

Help define scientific strategies and goals within the team

Maintain a high level of productivity in the laboratory

Execute and improve upon all platform specific process development and manufacturing activities

Develop and run platform / product specific analytical assays

Train and supervise associate scientists in the lab

Devise ways to improve the current vaccine purification & manufacturing strategy and identify new technologies used to enhance the yield, purity, quality and potency to expand its use into new therapeutic areas

Manage internal projects and external collaborations

Present data and reports on project status at individual, group, and departmental meeting levels

Present work at scientific conferences

Qualifications

PhD in Biology, Chemistry, or related field is required

At least 1 year of professional / industry or postdoctoral experience with an emphasis on molecular biology, chemistry, mRNA vaccines and / or therapeutics, or related field is required

Ability to independently operate and trouble-shoot FPLC / HPLC / UPLC instrumentation is required

Hands on proficiency operating instrumentation with column chromatography (examples include; cation / anion exchange, size exclusion, HIC, etc.) is required

Ability to independently perform, trouble-shoot, scale-up, and modify in vitro transcription reactions of RNA is required

Able to effectively multitask and advance various projects simultaneously is required

Excellent verbal, presentation, and written communication skills are required, as well as the ability to effectively work in a team environment

Hands on proficiency performing end-point analytical assays (residual DNA qRT-PCR, residual protein micro BCA, Nano Orange, RNA concentration UV / Vis, Ribogreen assay, etc.) is preferred

Familiarity with USP analytical assays is preferred

An understanding of Chemistry, Manufacturing & Controls (CMC) is preferred

An understanding of regulatory requirements for the manufacturing and final release of nucleic acid vaccines is preferred

An understanding of lipid-mediated drug product formulation is preferred

Ability to independently perform mammalian cell culture is preferred

Ability to independently perform DNA / RNA molecular biology techniques including plasmid amplification, DNA / RNA purification, cloning, and qRT-PCR is preferred

Protein expression analysis techniques such as cell transfection or electroporation, protein concentration determination, and Western Blot is preferred

Experience managing projects in a cross-functional / matrixed environment is preferred

Thisposition is located in La Jolla, CA, and may require up to 15% travel.

Johnson &Johnson is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualifiedapplicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race,color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, nationalorigin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against onthe basis of disability.

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