Manufacturing Specialist II, DNA

AskBio Inc., a wholly owned and independently operated subsidiary of Bayer AG, is a fully integrated gene therapy company dedicated to developing life-saving medicines and changing lives. The company maintains a portfolio of clinical programs across a range of neuromuscular, central nervous system, cardiovascular, and metabolic disease indications with a clinical-stage pipeline that includes investigational therapeutics for congestive heart failure, limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, multiple system atrophy, Parkinson’s disease, and Pompe disease. AskBio’s gene therapy platform includes Pro10™, an industry-leading proprietary cell line manufacturing process, and an extensive array of capsids and promoters. With global headquarters in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and European headquarters in Edinburgh, Scotland, the company has generated hundreds of proprietary capsids and promoters, several of which have entered pre-clinical and clinical testing.

Our vision: Pioneering science to create transformative molecular medicines.

Our mission: Lead innovative science and drive clinical outcomes to transform people's lives.

Our principles:

• Advance innovative science by pushing boundaries. 

• Bring transformative therapeutics to patients in need.  

• Provide an environment for employees to reach their fullest potential.  

Our values:

• Be a Pioneer. We are not afraid of the impossible and to innovate to make gene therapies accessible to those in need.

• Cultivate Collaboration. Strive to be the best teammate, actively listen, openly communicate, and embrace diverse points of view.

• Embrace Responsibility. We are humbled by the enormity of our mission.  We hold a relentless commitment to advance science and clinical outcomes for our patients, families, and caregivers.

• Raise the Bar. Continuously drive improvements and efficiencies. Seek and provide constructive feedback. Have a bias for learning and action.

• Act with Uncompromising Integrity. Be honest, transparent, and committed to doing what’s right in every situation. Make clear commitments and follow through.

Position Summary

The Manufacturing Specialist II, DNA - Preclinical Manufacturing role is responsible for manufacturing and delivering a broad range of research-grade DNA constructs across various production scales to support preclinical research and development activities. The DNA manufactured by the team will support capsid technology development, early product development, intellectual property portfolio, and progression of internal and external early-stage gene therapy programs. This role provides an opportunity to gain industry manufacturing experience while providing opportunities to improve DNA purifications processes. 

This role is based onsite in RTP, NC and reports to the Manager, Lab Services and DNA Manufactur

ing.

Job Responsibilities

• Perform hands-on execution of plasmid purifications to support research grade rAAV manufacturing, technology improvements, and progression of early-stage gene therapy programs.

• Follow batch records and document method procedures in a detailed, organized manner.

• Perform and evaluate data analysis at completion of test method; Summarize results and finalize batch records.

• Independently support process investigations, improvements, and optimization activities in collaboration with Senior Research Associate and DNA Process Development group.

• Identify, develop, and implement process improvements such as revisions to SOPs, Batch Records, Analytical Records, Formulation Records and initiating new procedures, when necessary.

• Inventory management of raw materials and laboratory supplies.

• Prepare manufacturing reports and data to present to scientists and management.

• Ensure lab areas are clean and organized.  This includes ensuring equipment, supplies and raw materials are available and ready for use.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a biological or engineering discipline with 2+ years relevant work experience; or Master’s degree in a biological or engineering discipline; or High School Diploma with 6+ years of role relevant work experience
• Experience and/or demonstrated skills with one or more of the following techniques: aseptic technique, making reagents at desired dilutions or concentrations, Restriction Enzyme digest, Gel Electrophoresis, DNA quantitation, identifying annotated features on a plasmid map, bacterial cell culture, centrifugation, filtration, fermentation, and liquid chromatography
• Strong attention to detail, highly organized and the ability to multitask in a fast-paced, highly interactive team environment
• Track record of independently delivering and interpreting experimental results
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to maintain formal record keeping and interact effectively with internal/external stakeholders
• Comfortable working and learning in a fast-paced team-oriented laboratory environment
• undefined
• Experience with lab management, fermentation and molecular biology/DNA sequence design and analysis software

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills

• Master’s degree in a biological or engineering displine
• Experience with fermentation
• Experience with SnapGene

AskBio Inc. (AskBio) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected status prohibited under Federal, State or local laws. All employment decisions are based on valid job‐related requirements. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website, you may request a reasonable accommodation to express interest in a specific opening by calling us at (919) 561-6210 or sending us an email at [email protected].

Agencies:  Please do not contact any employee at AskBio about this requisition.  Any resume submitted by a recruitment agency to any employee at AskBio, through any medium, will be deemed the sole property of AskBio unless the agency was engaged by AskBio Talent Acquisition team to recruit for that position.  All agencies must have a prior executed service agreement with AskBio prior to any search engagement.  If a candidate who was submitted outside of the AskBio agency process is hired by AskBio, no fee or payment of any kind will be paid to the agency.