Scientist/Sr Scientist – R&D Manufacturing Full-time NEW

Sr Scientist – Early Process Development & Manufacturing (lentiviral vectors) Permanent

Location: Belgium, Mont-Saint-Guibert

Salary: Competitive

Introduction to Role

Are you ready to dive into the world of transformative therapies and make a significant impact? At EsoBiotec, now part of AstraZeneca, we are setting new benchmarks for biotechnological research. Our collaboration combines AstraZeneca's global influence and scientific innovation with EsoBiotec's unique culture of creativity and breakthroughs in cell-based therapies and immunology. Here, your scientific passion will drive real-world impact as you contribute to life-changing treatments. We are looking for an inspiring discovery scientist to drive innovation and development of our pioneering lentiviral vector therapeutic platform. Join us in shaping the future of cell and gene therapy with your expertise in viral vector engineering, gene editing, CAR and TCR T cell engineering or myeloid immunobiology in cancer.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute the downstream purification of R&D grade vectors using scaled down/adapted clinical manufacturing processes to support R&D groups with high quality supply of vectors.
• Test manufacturability of novel in vivo lentiviral vectors engineered in vector discovery and/or built in the vector development group.
• Develop and optimize downstream manufacturing processes for in vivo lentiviral vectors in collaboration with global process development team.
• Execute hypothesis-driven process development experiments that translate discovery insights into robust, product-relevant unit operations.
• Support cell line and producer cell development, selection, and characterization to enable consistent LVV production and process robustness.
• Prepare technical documentation including development reports and process descriptions that enable internal reviews and external transfers.
• Collaborate closely with discovery, vector engineering, and CMC stakeholders to ensure manufacturability considerations are integrated early.
• Present results, risk assessments, and recommendations to project teams, and contribute to decision-making forums.
• Report progress, risks, and resource needs, maintaining clear timelines and milestone accountability.
• Maintain accurate, detailed, and timely documentation in electronic lab notebooks.
• Prepare scientific summaries, internal reports, and presentations for internal governance and external stakeholders when required.

Qualifications (Basic skills in normal characters – Desired skills in Italic)

• MS or PhD in bioengineering, biotechnology, cell/molecular biology, or related field with relevant industry experience in process development for viral vectors.
• >5+ years of industry experience in manufacturing and/or process development, with demonstrated contributions to LVV or other viral vector manufacturing.
• Practical expertise in downstream processing for LVV (preferred), such as clarification, chromatography, TFF, and formulation to achieve target purity, potency, and stability.
• Proficiency with bioreactors (such Scale X, iCellis, DASbox® or SciVario® Bioreactor System)
• Competence in analytical techniques relevant to LVV including qPCR/ddPCR, ELISA, flow cytometry, infectivity assays, and impurity profiling in partnership with analytics teams.
• Exposure to technology transfer and GMP manufacturing environments with understanding of documentation, change control, and compliance expectations.
• Cross-functional collaboration skills with discovery teams, and clear communication to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong scientific/technical writing skills (e.g. development reports and tech transfer documents) and communication skills (e.g. data presentation) in English is required.
• Organized, proactive, and product-focused with commitment to safety, data integrity, and continuous improvement while operating under timeline and resource constraints.
• Strong inter-personal and communication skills. Proven record of collaborations and effective work with internal and external partners

AstraZeneca offers an environment where courage, curiosity, and collaboration thrive. With a bold vision to eliminate cancer as a cause of death, we are dedicated to transforming patient lives through innovative science. Our team is empowered to lead at every level, making smart decisions that drive our pipeline forward. Join us in pioneering collaborative research that unites academia and industry, expediting breakthroughs in some of the hardest-to-treat cancers.

So, what is next:

Ready to make an impact? Apply now to join our mission-driven team!