Associate Scientist, Research & Development

The Associate Scientist contributes to the development, licensing, production, and testing of animal vaccines. This includes, but is not limited to, production and testing of experimental vaccines, classical virology, assay development, molecular techniques, and designing and conducting experiments to achieve overall R&D objectives.

Duties

• Provide laboratory expertise and support in conducting R&D vaccine studies.
• Conduct laboratory experiments with minimal supervision
• This position is accountable for accurate data and notebook entries to ensure and to comply with company regulatory and quality systems. Will also review notebook entries and documents from peers or lower-level scientists.
• Develops reagents, controls, and assays needed to support laboratory and clinical studies and for specific customer needs.
• Designs and executes experiments to produce and test the biological and biochemical properties of Master Seeds, experimental serials, and clinical test samples.
• Provides cost estimates, project updates, and schedules to the Manager or Project Coordinator that support the development and completion of projects.
• Develops testing procedures for internal and external customers, including protocol development, SOP development, assay transfer, and personnel training.
• Maintains accurate inventories of assay reagents, controls, and test samples.
• Provides support for Quality Control, Manufacturing, and Clinical departments, and other business groups as needed.
• May serve on internal company committees; other duties may be assigned as needed.
• This position may require some weekend and holiday work as needed.

Skills

• Proficiency performing biological laboratory skills including aseptic technique, microbiology and/or virology experience, cell culture, western blot, ELISA, PCR, and agarose gel electrophoresis are required.
• Must have demonstrated skills in the ability to interact with highly trained and skilled team members
• Must clearly understand the technology employed within the lab and be able to express requirements in a positive and professional way to colleagues at all levels within the organization
• Must be able to interact with customers in a professional manner
• Must be proficient in the use of MS Office tools (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Must have strong team skills and be able to communicate effectively with people and team members at all levels of the organization
• Motivated, self-starter
• Must be able to work independently, as well as part of a research team.
• May train or supervise laboratory technicians or assistant scientists.
• Good Documentation skills, and the ability to read and follow standard operating procedures are required.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology, Biology, Immunology or related life science
• Requires at least 5 years’ post graduate laboratory experience, with at least 3 years’ experience in assay, process, or product development in industry, strongly preferred.