Scientist I, Molecular Biology - Cell Line Development

About the role

The Development Sciences Biologics CMC Drug Substance Cell Line Development Group in South San Francisco, CA is seeking a Scientist I to join a talented, collaborative team developing CHO cell lines for GMP applications. In this laboratory-based role, the Scientist I will independently plan and execute molecular characterization studies that help advance novel therapies to clinical development. The work will encompass molecular, cellular, and bioprocess development studies relating to the generation and characterization of optimized CHO cell lines for production of our pipeline candidates.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently design, conduct, analyze, and document critical experiments supporting CHO cell-line development, cell-bank qualification, and candidate progression; assess data quality, troubleshoot results, and recommend next steps.
• Design and generate expression vectors for monoclonal antibodies and antibody-like molecules; improve cloning, plasmid QC, and whole-plasmid sequencing workflows.
• Characterize CHO cell banks for identity and transgene DNA/RNA quality using PCR/qPCR, ddPCR, DNA/RNA isolation, sequencing, and related assays.
• Develop and optimize NGS workflows, including RNA-seq and molecular screening; interpret sequencing data and establish fit-for-purpose quality controls.
• Author and review technical reports and documentation supporting regulated development from IND through BLA, following good documentation practices.
• Maintain protocols, tools, trackers, reference datasets, and inventories that improve reproducibility, traceability, and laboratory efficiency.
• Communicate scientific plans, results, and recommendations to cross-functional partners and external collaborators; document workflows and train colleagues as appropriate.
• Read, critically evaluate, and adapt scientific literature to guide experimental design and technical progress; independently implement appropriately scoped method and workflow improvements.

Qualifications & Requirements

Basic

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent education with typically 5 years of relevant experience, or a master's degree or equivalent education with typically 2 years.
• Strong understanding of molecular and mammalian cell biology, CHO cell-line development, and relevant bioprocess concepts.
• Ability to independently design and conduct critical experiments, generate reliable and reproducible data, draw sound conclusions, and troubleshoot experiments and instrumentation.
• Hands-on proficiency in cloning, plasmid preparation, DNA digests/gels, PCR/qPCR, ddPCR, DNA/RNA isolation and sequencing, and mammalian cell culture using sterile technique.
• Ability to manage concurrent deliverables and timelines, maintain detailed laboratory records, and communicate scientific findings and recommendations in writing and presentations.
• Hands-on experience with Illumina and/or Nanopore platforms, RNA-seq, sequence analysis, data-quality assessment, and molecular characterization of mammalian cell banks.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Geneious; ability to learn new software and scientific techniques.

Preferred

• Biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry experience developing CHO cell lines for GMP applications.
• Familiarity with bioinformatics workflows for DNA/RNA sequence confirmation and expression analysis, including IGV, NGS file formats, FASTQC, Samtools, or related tools.
• Experience with computational, data-analysis, or scripting tools such as R, Python, or Java.

Additional Information

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:

• The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
• This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company's sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.