Senior Associate Scientist - Biopharmaceutical Pilot Registration Lab
Zoetis
Summary
As a Senior Associate Scientist in the Biopharmaceutical Pilot Registration Lab, you will play a vital role in the development, scale-up, and technology transfer of CHO-expressed monoclonal antibodies for veterinary use. You will operate in a GMP-regulated environment, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure a successful transition from development to pilot to commercial manufacturing. This role requires hands-on technical expertise in upstream and/or downstream processing, as well as strong organizational and communication skills. The position is based in Lincoln, Nebraska with frequent interactions with colleagues and external partners located around the globe.
Job description
Position Responsibilities
- Advanced experience in setting up, programming, operating and troubleshooting large-scale equipment for expression (mammalian cell culture) and/or purification of recombinant therapeutic proteins
- Represent the lab as a key technical leader in cross-functional project teams, collaborating with process development and manufacturing teams, driving process optimization and scale-up, ensuring seamless, high-quality technology transfer
- Demonstrate advanced expertise in authoring and reviewing process documentation, SOPs, protocols, technology transfer documents and regulatory filings ensuring the highest standards of scientific rigor and quality
- Hands-on execution and support of upstream cell culture (shake flask to 2000-L production scale) and/or downstream purification (centrifugation, chromatography, filtration) to produce GMP batches of drug substance.
- Drive continuous improvement by optimizing existing workflows and procedures
- Ensure accurate and compliant documentation in accordance with current GMP standards
- Perform preventative maintenance on portable and stationary equipment
- Maintain, clean, and perform steam-in-place procedures for equipment
Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree (minimum) in biological sciences, chemical engineering, or related field. Advanced degree would be advantageous.
- Significant practical experience and theoretical knowledge of upstream cell culture and/or downstream processing (centrifugation, filtration, chromatography)
- Proven track record in GMP-regulated environments, including process scale-up and tech transfer to commercial facilities.
Technical Skills Requirements
- Strong scientific and engineering background in the principles for process scale-up and robustness
- Experience with instrumentation, control systems, and advanced troubleshooting for pilot-scale GMP operations, including practical experience with automated control and data capture systems such as SCADA, Delta V, and Unicorn
- Knowledge of equipment specification, qualification, operation, and maintenance in a regulated environment
- Experience with large-scale bioreactor and/or purification equipment
- Working knowledge of GMP systems (change control, SAP, LIMS) is desirable
- Willingness to work flexible hours, including after-hours monitoring as needed
- Ability to perform physically demanding tasks typical of a pilot-scale lab environment
- Excellent aseptic technique
- Experience with cGMPs, inspection, and compliance
- Demonstrated ability to work independently on multiple concurrent programs
- Familiarity with regulatory frameworks for veterinary biopharmaceuticals is desirable
- Strong organizational and people skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proven ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative team
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree (minimum) in biological sciences, chemical engineering, or related field
- Significant practical experience and theoretical knowledge of upstream cell culture and/or downstream processing (centrifugation, filtration, chromatography)
- Proven track record in GMP-regulated environments, including process scale-up and tech transfer to commercial facilities
- Strong scientific and engineering background in the principles for process scale-up and robustness
- Experience with instrumentation, control systems, and advanced troubleshooting for pilot-scale GMP operations, including practical experience with automated control and data capture systems such as SCADA, Delta V, and Unicorn
- Knowledge of equipment specification, qualification, operation, and maintenance in a regulated environment
- Experience with large-scale bioreactor and/or purification equipment
- Willingness to work flexible hours, including after-hours monitoring as needed
- Ability to perform physically demanding tasks typical of a pilot-scale lab environment
- Excellent aseptic technique
- Experience with cGMPs, inspection, and compliance
- Demonstrated ability to work independently on multiple concurrent programs
- Strong organizational and people skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proven ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative team
Company overview
Zoetis is a global leader in animal health, dedicated to advancing care for animals and the people who care for them. Originally established as the animal health division of Pfizer, Zoetis became an independent public company in 2013. The company develops, manufactures, and commercializes a comprehensive portfolio of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and other health products for both livestock and companion animals. With operations in more than 100 countries, Zoetis serves veterinarians, livestock producers, and pet owners worldwide. The company's product portfolio includes anti-infectives, vaccines, parasiticides, dermatology products, and other therapeutic solutions. Zoetis invests significantly in research and development to address unmet medical needs in animal health, focusing on areas such as pain management, infectious diseases, and chronic conditions. The company's commitment to innovation and quality has established it as a trusted partner in the animal health industry, contributing to food security and the well-being of companion animals globally.