Job Summary:
We are seeking a highly motivated Technician to join our dynamic vaccine development team. This position is primarily responsible for lipid nanoparticle encapsulation and the testing associated with quality, sterility, reproducibility, modifications of procedure, and some in vitro testing. The successful candidate will have experience in aseptic techniques, working with RNA and DNA, vaccine formulation and manufacturing, and an understanding of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) or a willingness to learn. This role will support the development and optimization of vaccine candidates, working in a collaborative environment to advance products from research through regulatory approval, scale-up and production.
Key Responsibilities:
- Aseptic Technique & Laboratory Work:
- Perform cell culture, bacterial culture, and molecular biology techniques under aseptic conditions.
- Prepare and maintain sterile media, buffers, and reagents.
- Conduct microbial and sterility testing to ensure contamination-free processes.
- RNA and DNA Research & Development:
- Extract, purify, and analyze RNA and DNA for vaccine applications.
- Perform PCR, qPCR, RT-PCR, and other molecular biology assays.
- Develop and optimize nucleic acid-based formulations for vaccine candidates.
- Vaccine Formulation & Manufacturing:
- Assist in formulation development for nucleic acid vaccines.
- Support scale-up and process development for vaccine manufacturing.
- Characterize vaccine stability, potency, and immunogenicity utilizing validated assays or designing novel methods to assess.
- Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS):
- Record, manage, and analyze experimental data using LIMS.
- Maintain accurate documentation of sample tracking, workflows, and quality control.
- Assist in integrating LIMS into laboratory workflows for data-driven decision-making.
- Ability to learn and adapt to new LIMS platforms as required.
- Quality & Compliance:
- Follow USDA-CVB approved manufacturing and laboratory quality procedures, Good Laboratory Practices, and biosafety guidelines in vaccine production.
- Maintain detailed laboratory records, protocols, and reports.
- Support regulatory documentation and technology transfer activities.
Requirements
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemistry or a related field.
- 1-3 years of hands-on experience in aseptic technique, molecular biology, chemistry and vaccine formulation/manufacturing.
- Experience with sterile handling of biological materials and working in BSL-2 environments.
- Knowledge of vaccine formulation principles, including adjuvants and stabilizers.
- Familiarity with regulatory requirements for vaccine development.
- Experience with or willingness to learn Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with lipid nanoparticle (LNP) or viral vector vaccine formulation.
- Hands-on experience with downstream processing techniques such as ultrafiltration, chromatography, and lyophilization.
- Proficiency in RNA and DNA extraction, qPCR, and molecular cloning.
- Knowledge of immunological assays such as ELISA and flow cytometry.
- Prior experience in industry or a regulated laboratory environment.
Competencies & Skills:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new software systems, including LIMS.