Scientist l, Cell Line Development (based fully onsite) Full-time

Scientist I

The Cell Line Development group in South San Francisco, CA is seeking a Scientist I to join a talented and collaborative team developing CHO cell lines for GMP applications. In this hands-on laboratory position, you will execute CHO cell line development and characterization studies in a well-supported, fast-moving environment that advances novel biotherapeutics into human clinical studies. The work spans molecular, cellular, and bioprocess development activities supporting the generation and characterization of optimized CHO cell lines for our biologics pipeline candidates.

This is a bench-focused position on a small team where each scientist owns their projects end to end and works directly with partners across process and analytical development. Our group runs both platform and non-platform molecules, so the work varies considerably from project to project.

Responsibilities

• Experimental design and interpretation. Perform both routine and complex laboratory tasks competently and independently, generating reliable and consistent results. Independently design and conduct critical experiments that further project goals. Interpret results and draw conclusions from your own multistage experiments, note significant deviations, and then suggest, design, and pursue the follow-up experiments those results call for.
• Cell line development execution. Execute CHO cell line development workflows for pipeline and innovation projects, including transfection, selection, high-throughput clone screening, and culture scale-up from multi-well plates through shake flasks and small-scale stirred tank vessels. Apply both random and targeted integration approaches, including transposase- and recombinase-mediated systems.
• Molecular and genetic characterization. Extract DNA and RNA from CHO cell lines and cell banks and perform genetic characterization by PCR, qPCR/RT-qPCR, ddPCR, and sequencing-based methods. Support vector design, construction, and sequence confirmation for antibodies and novel protein formats.
• Clone generation and cell banking. Perform single-cell cloning to establish monoclonal CHO cell lines. Cryopreserve research cell banks and maintain accurate bank inventory records.
• Productivity and bioprocess assessment. Design and run fed-batch and parallel culture studies, on both manual and automated platforms, to evaluate clone productivity, growth, and stability.
• Instrumentation. Operate and maintain the group's analytical and cell culture instrumentation, including automated cell counters (Vi-CELL) and label-free binding platforms (Octet).
• Method development and assay support. Investigate, identify, develop, and optimize new methods and techniques to generate reliable and reproducible data in a timely manner, reading and adapting the scientific literature to accomplish assignments and demonstrating broad and versatile technical expertise within the discipline.
• Contribute to the qualification and troubleshooting of the assays that underpin clone selection, implement and where possible innovate new experimental protocols, and identify opportunities to improve throughput, data quality, and overall workflow efficiency.
• Documentation and knowledge transfer. Maintain meticulous, contemporaneous records of experimental design, data, and analysis in electronic lab notebooks (ELNs), in compliance with AbbVie's standards for data integrity and good documentation practices. Author and revise protocols, and help train new team members on cell culture and characterization techniques.
• Cross-functional collaboration and communication. Present scientific updates at team and cross-functional meetings and partner closely with colleagues in process development and analytical groups to drive projects forward and meet aggressive timelines.
• Compliance and safety. Understand and adhere to corporate standards regarding code of conduct, safety, the appropriate handling of materials, and GxP compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent education with typically 5+ years of experience, or Master's Degree or equivalent education with typically 2+ years of experience in biologics discovery or development, or a closely related discipline.
• Hands-on experience in aseptic technique and mammalian cell culture, with a primary focus on CHO cells, including the ability to manage multiple cell lines and projects in parallel.
• Proficiency in nucleic acid extraction from mammalian cells and PCR-based analysis, including qPCR and/or ddPCR.
• Hands-on experience developing stably transfected CHO cell lines to produce monoclonal antibodies or antibody-like molecules, including transfection, selection, minipool isolation, clone isolation and screening, and scale-up.
• Hands-on experience with transposase/recombinase technologies in CHO cell line development.
• Practical experience cryopreserving CHO cells and generating research cell banks, including assessment of post-thaw viability and recovery, and accurate inventory record-keeping.
• Experience quantifying recombinant protein titer by biolayer interferometry (e.g., Octet) or an equivalent titer method.
• Experience running plate-based screening assays to rank large numbers of clones in 96-well and 24-deep-well plate formats, including plate mapping, scheduled sampling, and review of the resulting data for outliers and plate effects.
• Experience evaluating clone productivity, growth, and stability in batch or fed-batch culture, including scheduled sampling, data analysis, and ranking of candidate clones on manual and/or automated platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to independently design, execute, interpret, and troubleshoot experiments that answer defined scientific questions and advance project goals, including sound analysis of quantitative data, the judgment to recognize significant deviations, and the initiative to design the follow-up experiments they call for.
• Strong understanding of mammalian cell biology and molecular biology concepts, with the ability to draw on relevant scientific literature and apply theoretical frameworks to solving problems within the discipline in a timely manner.
• Excellent attention to detail, with a strong commitment to maintaining detailed, daily records in an electronic lab notebook.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present data clearly to colleagues and cross-functional partners.

Where We Work

Role is exclusively performed at a site or office and onsite presence is required. Employees who are site/office-based and can occasionally perform their role virtually work both in the office and remotely*, following the policies and regulations in place at their location. US Employees must be in the office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday with flexibility to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays. Three days in the office is the minimum; some individuals or teams may require more in-office days due to meetings, business/project needs or their role.