Upstream Scientist Full-time

Senior Cell Culture Scientist

When you are part of the team at Thermo Fisher Scientific, you'll do important work. Surrounded by collaborative colleagues, you'll have the support and opportunities that only a global leader can give you. Our respected, growing organization has an exceptional strategy for the near term and beyond. Take your place on our strong team, helping us make significant contributions to the world.

Position Summary:

Thermo Fisher Scientific is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Cell Culture Scientist to join our China team. The successful candidate will be a Sr. Upstream Scientist in cell culture process, playing a pivotal role in the development and refinement of media and process development to enhance biopharmaceutical production processes. This position demands a deep understanding of cell biology, biochemistry, and process development, with a proven track record of improving cell culture performance and product yield and quality.

Key Responsibilities:

Projects operation responsibilities:

• Serve as a project leader for at least one technical project (with hands-on lab work if necessary) within budget and on a reasonable timeline, aimed at optimizing cell culture media formulations and / or process development for various cell lines and biopharmaceutical production processes
• Develop and implement advanced bioreactors process for media screening, optimization and verification.
• Engage with customers and stakeholders to understand their needs and provide tailored solutions for process optimization challenges.
• Utilize advanced statistical tools and software for experimental design and data analysis, ensuring robust and reproducible results.
• Maintain comprehensive and accurate records of experimental protocols, data, and results, adhering to regulatory and quality standards meeting customers' IND and other filing needs
• To ensure projects executed with high integrity and the interest of Thermo Fisher Scientific best protected, candidate must be a proven leader of integrity, in compliance with non-competition agreement, and supportive to enhance data security and IP protection.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, presentations, and publications to effectively communicate findings to internal and external stakeholders.
• Be able to provide accurate scoping and quotation estimation based on the efforts for the projects.

Theory and Technical Responsibilities:

• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in cell culture technology and media development through continuous literature review and participation in scientific conferences
• Facilitate to establish upstream platform with capability to perform adherent cells and suspension cells culture, microbial fermentation test and scale up. For examples, the E.coli, yeast, CHO cells, 293 cells, insect cells and so on in the field of Vaccine, CGT and Antibody.
• Coordinate with other teams to perform media optimization, cells adaptation and process development, includes but not limited to suspension adaptation, serum-free adaptation, scale-up, T-cell proliferation, and virus inoculation.

Teamwork and Platform Responsibilities:

• Setting-up qualified labs or pilot plant, validated instruments, efficient operation, and standard documents (SOPs, SMPs, records, etc.). Facilitate to establish upstream platform for bioprocess development.
• Provide expert technical support and mentorship to junior scientists and laboratory staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
• Collaborate with other group leaders to fulfill department management of BDC.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including commercial, R&D, process development, manufacturing, and quality assurance, to ensure the successful integration of optimized process into production workflows.
• Keep good communication and cooperation with global sites to help capability enhancing, material / method transferring, experience sharing, etc.
• Willing to travel up to 40% of the time, open to work at customer sites for cell culture project support.
• Other related duties as required and/or assigned.

Qualifications:

– Ph.D. in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field with 3+ years of relevant experience, or M.S. with 6+ years of relevant experience.

– Familiar or understanding with activities and key technologies required in Biopharma in a whole workflow or total solutions. For example, harvest and purification the products, characters test and optimization in quality control

– Demonstrated expertise in cell culture process development and optimization, with a strong track record in the industry

– Sufficient hands-on experience in adherent and suspension cells culture or microbe fermentation process development, technical transfer, scale up, virus production, with demonstrated ability to deliver high quality processes and products on time.

– In-depth understanding of cell metabolism, nutrient requirements, and bioprocessing principles.

– Proficiency in advanced statistical analysis and experimental design software (e.g., JMP, Design-Expert).

– Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to lead complex projects independently and collaboratively.

– Strong written and verbal communication skills in both English and Chinese.

– Familiarity with regulatory requirements and quality standards in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

– Proven ability to mentor and develop junior scientists and laboratory staff.

– Experience working in a cross-functional environment is preferred.

Preferred Qualifications: (optional)

• Familiar with upstream instruments and products from Thermo Fisher Scientific, such as media, bioreactor, single use technology, automation system.
• Working experience in similar Customer Experience/Excellent Center or CRO/CDMO is preferred.
• Experience in managing external scientific collaborations, CRO or CDMO is preferred.
• Capability to design business model, define business plan and execute accordingly.
• Experience coordinating with development teams outside China, i.e. US or Europe.
• Understanding of financial planning and budgeting processes.