If you find science, speed, and helping address serious infectious diseases exhilarating, you have come to the right place.
Individually, we're skilled, driven, and confident risk-takers. Collectively we're collaborative and accomplished. We're SuperNovas! Together we use our unique experiences, cultures, and learnings to turn innovation into reality while maintaining the highest standards. We value balance, encourage growth, and recognize that you are our most important asset. Build your future with us while bringing innovative vaccines to the world. We have a place for you!
Novavax, Inc (Nasdaq:NVAX) is a biotechnology company committed to helping address serious infectious diseases globally through the discovery, development, and delivery of innovative vaccines to patients around the world. We have more than a decade of experience contending with some of the world's most devastating diseases, and we are here to make a difference.
Job Summary
This individual will play a key role in recombinant protein production in the insect cell/baculovirus expression system. Qualified individuals will play a critical role in upstream process development, including process characterization studies; maintain insect cell culture, BVI, and recombinant protein production, and provide technical support for cGMP manufacturing for nanoparticle vaccines. The candidate will participate in process development and improvement in small to large-scale (shake flasks and stirred-tank bioreactors up to 50L). The candidate is expected to be highly self-motivated, well-organized, and very productive. This position will be located at our Gaithersburg, MD facility.
Essential Functions
- Perform cell culture and expansion of suspension insect cells in shaker flasks and bioreactors on a daily basis.
- Prepare insect cell culture media and feed solutions, and record all necessary information in a specified format.
- Maintain an up-to-date working knowledge of various assays like Rapid Titer assay, plaque assay, SDS-PAGE, Western Blot, flow cytometry, etc.
- Perform inoculation, feed, infection, sampling, and harvest processes in shaker flasks and bioreactors.
- Record all data accurately in physical or electronic lab notebooks on time and maintain data integrity.
- Design experiments and execute process development studies to establish a thorough understanding of operating and performance parameters.
- Analyze experiment data and present them within and outside the team.
- Assist supervisors in data analysis and write/review/edit reports.
- Assist in the maintenance of department records and material inventories.
- Organize the laboratories/inventories and keep track of lab supplies.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Excellent aseptic techniques in cell culture.
- Good understanding of bioreactors, and capability to set up and execute glass and single-use bioreactors (SUB) with minimum supervision.
- Experience in Ambr system and flow cytometry analysis is a plus.
- Experience in basic molecular biology assays such as SDS-PAGE, Western blot, cell staining, etc.
- Ability to analyze complex data to draw conclusions by critical thinking and to make appropriate recommendations to the Manufacturing team.
- Excellent team player with strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills among cross-functional teams.
- Ability to focus on small details, troubleshoot, identify root causes, and systematically resolve problems.
- Capability of applying scientific knowledge to drive innovations and develop improved processes.
- Proficient in Windows-based software including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. Ability to adapt to changing software programs.
- Flexible in time management for frequent weekend, late night, and early morning work.
Education, Experience, Licenses & Certifications
- 1-2 years of biotech/pharmaceutical industry experience with a Ph.D. degree, 3-4 years with a master's degree, or 5-6 years with a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, Microbiology, Biology, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field.
The annual base salary for this position falls within the range of $87,650.00-$113,950.00. However, the actual base pay offered may vary based on several individualized factors, such as market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Novavax offers a base salary, annual bonus, equity grants, professional career development/growth opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, Rx, STD, LTD, Life, Optional Life, and 401(k) plan.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
Novavax is an equal employment opportunity employer. Employment and advancement opportunities are available to all individuals on an at-will basis, regardless of their race, color, national origin, religion, ancestry, citizenship status, military or veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, family responsibilities, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, protective hairstyle, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
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