Senior Scientist Process Development

Our client is a start-up biotech company and located near Zurich, Switzerland. The company develops novel biologics for a wide range of indications.

• Plan, design, and conduct experiments for process development studies with minimal supervision.
• Proactively research literature to identify potential substantial improvements and translate them into scientifically sound experimental plans.
• Use bioprocessing experience to identify critical process parameters that affect upstream performance.
• Explore and apply appropriate analytical tools to extend the metabolic understanding of the organism and fermentation processes.
• Perform routine bioreactor runs for protein production activities.
• Record data and results in lab notebooks, perform data analysis and present data in lab and development team meetings.
• The laboratory activities include preparatory activities, shake flask and bioreactor cell culture operations:
• media and buffer preparations according to standard operating procedures (SOPs), ensuring accurate measurements, proper mixing, and sterilization.
• prepare and set up bioreactors for cell culture, including sterilization, assembly, and installation/calibration of sensors and probes.
• Setup shake flasks in shaker incubators for Preculture and perform shake flask trials.
• Monitor and maintain bioreactor conditions throughout the culture process, including offline measurements such as Optical Density, Cell counts, Cell viability, Glucose, osmolality, pH, conductivity, and other measurements on a routine basis.
• Perform additional cell culture operations, such as preculture, inoculation and harvesting. Harvesting includes centrifugation and sterile filtration.
• Follow all established SOPs and guidelines to ensure the integrity of cell cultures, prevent contamination, and maintain compliance.
• Manage inventory of cell culture reagents, media components, and other consumables to prevent shortages and ensure uninterrupted operations.
• Participate in training and development opportunities to stay current with industry best practices and emerging technologies.
• Provide subject matter expertise for processes and equipment and perform tech transfer to external labs and CDMOs. Support scale-up and large-scale bioreactor runs at external manufacturing sites.
• Supervise a junior RA to support routine productions.

You have a proven, hands-on track record in biochemistry and protein analytics and/or have considerable relevant professional experience. If you are a self-sufficient, flexible, reliable, and precise person, meet the requirements listed below and are willing to bring projects to success, we are looking forward to hearing from you!

• PhD or Master’s degree in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years, ideally 7 years of relevant experience in a fermentation/ cell culture laboratory setting.
• At least 3 years of industrial experience in biotech/pharma.
• Hands on experience in process development and good understanding of cell culture techniques, aseptic procedures, bioreactor operations.
• Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Previous experience with either microbial and/or mammalian cell culture required.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to quality control.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and demanding environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
• Good IT-knowledge (Excel, PowerPoint, databases)
• Pro-active and problem-solving attitude
• Self-motivation and ability to work independently in a fast-pace, small company environment
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Team player, collaborative attitude.

• 5 Weeks vacation
• Career Opportunities
• Well connected office
• Innovative science