Principal Downstream Scientist – mRNA purification

Princiapal Downstream Scientist - RNA

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At GSK, we have bold ambitions for patients, aiming to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade. R&D is committed to discovering and delivering transformational vaccines and medicines to prevent and change the course of disease.

We believe the Greater Boston area is an important hub for the biotech and pharma industry, which is why we’ve invested in growing our footprint and expanding our R&D space in Cambridge, with a primary focus on additional state-of-the-art lab space. Here, we will bring together talent and expertise, building upon GSK’s long history of vaccine development, to create globally leading viral capabilities and cutting-edge vaccines technologies, as we add to our robust portfolio targeting infectious diseases at every stage of life.

The Nucleic Acid Vaccines Center of Excellence (NAV CoE), a global team within GSK’s Drugs Substance Vaccines Technical Research and Development organization, has as a mission to develop the next generation mRNA Drug Substance vaccine platforms for rapid development of new vaccine candidates. It has branches in Rockville, US (to be moved to Cambridge, US in Q2 2025) and in Rixensart, Belgium.

We are looking for a motivated Downstream Process Development Scientist to join the mRNA Drug Substance (DS) team and work on delivering new mRNA vaccine candidates from development to clinical manufacturing stages, a role located in Cambridge, MA USA, and reporting to the RNA DS Platform Development Leader (Belgium based). The position will play a significant role in shaping current and next generation GSK’s mRNA vaccine platforms to accelerate addressing unmet medical needs, a compelling field having a direct impact into patients and global health. This exciting opportunity allows you to lead key activities, collaborate with top talents in the vaccines industry, and advance your career while ensuring timely project delivery in collaboration with process development colleagues and GMP team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Autonomously design, execute, and analyze experiments to develop and optimize RNA downstream processes, ensuring phase-appropriate and scalable processes, as part of the overall platform development strategy.
• Lead transversally process development activities and/ or any other additional initiatives that may arise.
• Work within a global downstream team, collaborate transversally with other DS teams, Analytical R&D, GMP teams, etc., in an agile and open way ensuring good communication and alignment.
• Drive innovative solutions and meet project milestones.
• Stay up to date on industry trends and emerging technologies in downstream processing, contributing to continuous improvement initiatives.

The successful applicant will spend 3-6 months within the first year in Rockville, MD to support and guarantee a smooth transition of methods and know-how to the new laboratories in Cambridge, MA. 

Basic Qualifications:

We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals:

• MS degree in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific field.
• Five (MS level) or three (PhD. level) or more years of industry experience in downstream process development for large biomolecules, preferably mRNA and pDNA, with hands-on experience on a wide range of purification techniques for large nucleic acid molecules including affinity capture, ion exchange and hydrophobic interactions.
• Three or more years of experience in overall process development and analytical development activities required for CMC support.

Preferred Qualifications:

If you have the following characteristics, it would be a plus:

• PhD. degree in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific field.
• Experience with Quality by Design.
• Experience with DOE studies & high-throughput screen for purification process improvements, and advancements including parameter optimization, scale-up, process window determination and process capability evaluation.
• Knowledge of the large molecule regulatory environment, particularly FDA/ICH/ISPE guidelines on risk management, technology transfer and process validation.
• Experience and understanding in nucleic acid analytical technologies.

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Please visit  GSK US Benefits Summary to learn more about the comprehensive benefits program GSK offers US employees.

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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