Process Engineer I, Pilot Plant

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Voyager Therapeutics is a gene therapy company developing life-changing treatments for severe neurological diseases. Voyager is committed to advancing the field of AAV (adeno-associated virus) gene therapy through innovation and investment in vector optimization and engineering, dosing techniques, as well as process development and production. The company’s pipeline is focused on severe neurological diseases in need of effective new therapies, including advanced Parkinson’s disease, a monogenic form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Friedreich’s ataxia, Huntington’s disease, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and severe chronic pain.

Voyager Therapeutics is developing recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors for treating neurological diseases. Developing robust and reliable vector production processes is central for establishing successful gene therapy applications.  Voyager is seeking a highly motivated Process Engineer to join the pilot-scale team, part of the Process Development Group, with a primary focus on upstream cell culture at 200L bioreactor scale. The qualified candidate will be responsible for the maintenance and expansion of various insect cell line cultures, monitoring cell growth, nutrient and metabolite trends, and determining productivity of said cultures.  Additionally, the candidate will assist with staging, monitoring and analyzing large-scale stirred tank (STR) bioreactors for upstream production and optimization and support downstream purification of bulk harvest.  Work activities will also include following / preparing protocols, SOPs and final study reports, general lab operations, following good laboratory practices (GLP) and adhering to laboratory safety guidelines.  The ability to independently organize, design, carryout and analyze data and report the results of their work in a concise and well documented manner are important aspects of the position.

Responsibilities

  •  Maintain various insect cell line cultures for use by the Process Development, Pilot Plant Group for use in toxicology studies and generate material for process development group studies
  • Perform monitoring of cell viability and growth, cell culture metabolites, and other measurements from bioreactors and shake flasks
  • Assemble, sterilize, prepare, and maintain bioreactors, ancillary materials and equipment for cell culture and harvest experiments
  • Support downstream purification of bulk harvest material to produce drug substance
  • Generate, manage, and maintain critical methods and data in a highly organized manner
  • Assist in the production of non-clinical rAAV materials at large-scale (e.g. 250 L)
  • Prepare / follow protocols, SOPs, batch records, and reports
  • Prepare reagents and solutions required for production protocols following solution prep records
  • Maintain and update various databases and electronic notebook entries, as needed

Qualifications 

  • Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, biotechnology, or related fields
  • 2-5 years of cell culture / aseptic technique experience is required; preferred that experience is in either a process development and/or biologic therapeutics pilot plant setting
  • Downstream purification experience a plus
  • Previous experience working with the upstream production of protein biologics, vaccines, rAAV viral vectors and/or baculovirus in mammalian or insect systems is preferred
  • Previous experience working and familiarity with large-scale bioreactor systems (e.g. XDR, Allegro, BIOSTAT) is desired
  • Strong writing, verbal, and organizational skills
  • Highly motivated and a self-driven individual with the ability to work in a fast-paced, start-up environment

 

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