Sr. Scientist – Process Development
Avantor
Summary
Under limited supervision, develop and implement solutions for customers based on our products and services through close collaboration with customers and other innovation associates/scientists. Identify and develop innovative applications for a range of products to solve specific customer issues by planning and executing hands on studies at internal and customer laboratories.
Job description
The Opportunity
Under limited supervision, develop and implement solutions for customers based on our products and services through close collaboration with customers and other innovation associates/scientists. Identify and develop innovative applications for a range of products to solve specific customer issues by planning and executing hands on studies at internal and customer laboratories.
Process Development
- Design, develop, and optimize end-to-end mRNA manufacturing processes, including DNA template generation, IVT, enzymatic processing, purification, buffer exchange, and formulation interfaces.
- Develop robust and scalable workflows to improve mRNA yield, purity, quality, process robustness, and manufacturability.
- Apply DOE, QbD, risk assessment, and statistical tools to build process understanding and establish relationships between process parameters and product quality attributes.
- Collaborate with Analytical Development to characterize mRNA identity, integrity, purity, potency-related attributes, and process impurities.
- Troubleshoot process and product-quality challenges using scientific and data-driven approaches, including root cause analysis and risk mitigation.
- Author technical reports, development summaries, risk assessments, SOPs, study protocols, and regulatory-support documentation.
- Evaluate and demonstrate emerging technologies including synthetic DNA, novel purification approaches, automation, process intensification, and continuous manufacturing concepts.
Development Support
- Support process characterization, control strategy development, and implementation of CPPs, CQAs, in-process controls, and process monitoring strategies.
- Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, analytical, formulation, and regulatory teams to ensure successful process transfer and commercial readiness.
- Participate in deviation investigations, change controls, root cause analyses, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Support GMP documentation activities including batch records, SOPs, process transfer packages, and validation-related documentation.
- Assess external technologies, vendors, CDMOs, and strategic collaboration opportunities through proof-of-concept studies, technical due diligence, and workflow integration assessments.
- Present technical findings, recommendations, and development strategies to project teams, cross-functional stakeholders, and senior leadership.
- Mentor junior scientists and contribute to a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, safety, and operational rigor.
Requirements
- Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biotechnology, or a related field (required).
- Minimum of 5+ years of relevant industry experience in mRNA, RNA, nucleic acid, biologics, or pharmaceutical process development.
- Doctoral or relevant academic experience may be considered equivalent to industry experience.
- Strong understanding of mRNA process development, including DNA template generation, in vitro transcription (IVT), enzymatic processing, purification, and analytical characterization.
- Hands-on experience with nucleic acid process development, molecular biology techniques, and scalable manufacturing processes.
- Knowledge of process development principles including DOE, QbD, process characterization, scale-up, risk assessment, and CPP/CQA relationships.
- Experience troubleshooting complex technical challenges, interpreting multidisciplinary data, and developing data-driven solutions.
- Excellent technical writing, presentation, project leadership, and cross-functional communication skills.
- Preferred: End-to-end mRNA development experience from DNA template preparation through purified mRNA and formulation interface.
- Preferred: Experience with IVT, capping/polyadenylation, chromatography, TFF/UF-DF, process scale-up, technology transfer, or GMP manufacturing support.
- Preferred: Familiarity with high-throughput automation, continuous manufacturing, process intensification, PAT, or advanced manufacturing technologies.
- Preferred: Experience with mRNA analytical techniques such as HPLC/UPLC, LC-MS, CE, qPCR/ddPCR, Bioanalyzer/TapeStation, sequencing, or impurity analysis.
- Preferred: Experience applying DOE, QbD, JMP, Minitab, Python, R, or related statistical and data-analysis tools.
- Preferred: Exposure to GMP/GLP environments, regulatory documentation, method qualification, validation, or technology transfer activities.
- Preferred: Experience evaluating emerging technologies, vendors, CDMOs, external collaborations, or technical due diligence opportunities.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Wellness Programs
- Health Savings Account
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- 401(k) Matching
- Employee Stock Purchase Program
- 11 Paid Holidays
- 18 PTO Days Annually
- Volunteer Time Off
- 6 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
Company overview
Avantor is a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the life sciences and advanced technology industries. Founded in 1904 as J.T. Baker Chemical Company, the company has evolved into a Fortune 500 organization with operations in over 30 countries and serving more than 300,000 customer locations worldwide. Avantor's comprehensive portfolio supports virtually every stage of research, development, and production activities across biopharma, healthcare, education, government, and advanced technology sectors. The company specializes in providing high-purity chemicals, laboratory equipment, single-use bioprocessing systems, and specialized services that enable breakthroughs in medicine, healthcare, and technology. With approximately 14,500 employees globally, Avantor plays a crucial role in supporting scientific innovation, including significant contributions to COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing through its synthetic lipid production capabilities. The company went public in 2019 and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AVTR.