Site Name: Belgium-Rixensart
Posted Date: Oct 9 2024
Introduction

The Belgian Early Development and In-Process Analytics (ED-IPA) Group is seeking a highly motivated Associate Scientist to join its dynamic team. Part of the Vaccine R&D division (Technical Research and Development), the ED-IPA team plays a crucial role in supporting Drug Substance development, ensuring a seamless transition from pre-clinical research into early-stage development and providing critical support for the initiation of CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls) activities.

The mission of the ED-IPA group is to bridge the gap between research and development by evaluating and optimizing candidate processes, ensuring that these processes are robust and scalable for future clinical and commercial production. This team is responsible for the early assessment of process feasibility and processability, focusing on antigens and other vaccine components during the early stages of development.

To support these objectives, we are actively seeking a motivated Associate Scientist with strong expertise in microbial fermentation to contribute to this exciting and fast-moving phase of vaccine development. The ideal candidate will possess hands-on experience with fermentation systems and a solid understanding of process analytics to aid in optimizing and developing fermentation processes for drug substances.

Key Responsibilities:

• Fermentation Execution & Monitoring: Perform fermentation experiments using E. coli and yeast to express recombinant proteins, polysaccharides, and secondary metabolites. Operate and maintain advanced fermentation systems such as Ambr, Das Gip, and Single-use fermenters to optimize production processes.
• Early Development & Process Evaluation: Contribute to early-stage drug substance development by evaluating the processability of various antigen candidates. Provide insights to support decisions on selecting viable candidates for further vaccine development.
• Recombinant Protein Expression & Optimization: Apply your experience in recombinant protein, polysaccharide, and secondary metabolite expression to optimize production yields and ensure scalability. Troubleshoot issues with expression systems and adjust fermentation parameters to improve outcomes.
• Analytical Techniques: Use a range of analytical methods, including HPLC, spectroscopy, p H, and OD, BLI, or any relevant analytical method used to monitor fermentation progress and ensure process control.
• Data Analysis & Reporting: Collect, analyze, and present fermentation data. Use these insights to optimize fermentation conditions and assess the efficiency of the process. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve yields and process robustness.
• Programming & Automation: Utilize programming skills in Python, MATLAB, or Lab VIEW to automate and control fermentation processes, ensuring data collection and analysis are efficient and accurate.
• Molecular Biology Knowledge: Apply foundational knowledge in molecular biology, including cloning, plasmid construction, and expression systems, to support strain development and process optimization.

Why You

Basic Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemical Engineering, or a related field.
• 2-3 years of hands-on experience in microbial fermentation, particularly with E. coli and yeast
• Proven experience in recombinant protein, polysaccharide, and secondary metabolite expression.
• Proficiency in operating Ambr, Das Gip, and Single-use fermentation systems.
• Basic knowledge of molecular biology techniques (e.g., cloning, vector design, transformation) to support strain engineering.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with programming tools like Python, MATLAB, or Lab VIEW for equipment automation and process optimization.
• Experience with fermentation monitoring and data analysis using HPLC, GC, spectroscopy, p H, DO, and OD, BLI or any other relevant methodologies.

If you have a disability and require assistance during the course of the selection process, you will have the opportunity to let us know what specific assistance you require in order to make suitable arrangements.

Why GSK?
Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

GSK is a global biopharma company with a special purpose – to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together – so we can positively impact the health of billions of people and deliver stronger, more sustainable shareholder returns – as an organisation where people can thrive. We prevent and treat disease with vaccines, specialty and general medicines. We focus on the science of the immune system and the use of new platform and data technologies, investing in four core therapeutic areas (infectious diseases, HIV, respiratory/ immunology and oncology).

Our success absolutely depends on our people. While getting ahead of disease together is about our ambition for patients and shareholders, it’s also about making GSK a place where people can thrive. We want GSK to be a place where people feel inspired, encouraged and challenged to be the best they can be. A place where they can be themselves – feeling welcome, valued, and included. Where they can keep growing and look after their wellbeing. So, if you share our ambition, join us at this exciting moment in our journey to get Ahead Together.

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