Join the transformative team at City of Hope, where we're changing lives and making a real difference in the fight against cancer, diabetes, and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope’s growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus, a network of clinical care locations across Southern California, a new cancer center in Orange County, California, and treatment facilities in Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix. Our dedicated and compassionate employees are driven by a common mission: To deliver the cures of tomorrow to the people who need them today.

Senior Research Associate (HDCR Bioprocess Specialist) City of Hope National Medical Center; Duarte, CA: Develop and execute critical gene therapy and oncolytic therapy research programs. Scope, design, and identify objectives of research projects in collaboration with other researchers. Serve as subject matter expert in the High Density Cell Respirator (HDCR) (a new generation of bioreactor that facilitates intensification of bioprocesses through optimized gas exchange and media perfusion capabilities)-based bioprocesses. Plan, direct, and provide training to laboratory research staff on the intensified bioproduction processes in HDCR bioreactors. Lead research in the mass production of oncolytic vaccina virus, and Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) using the HDCR bioreactor. Validate inventories of consumables used for HDCR runs. Oversee and carry out purification of AAV gene therapy vectors using cesium chloride (CsCl) gradients, oncolytic vectors using sucrose gradients, and aliquoting of vector into labelled tubes, freeze, and bank. Maintain database and inventory of vector. Perform assays to understand viral cell replication. Evaluate the efficacy of oncolytic viral vectors in tumor models, both in vitro and in vivo.

As a successful candidate, you will:

• Carry out standard biological assays and protocols, including quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), ELISA, electrophoresis, Mini/Maxiprep, histology, flow cytometry, cell passaging, aliquoting, and freezing/thawing cells. Oversee and carry out titering of vector products using qPCR/ Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR), plaque forming assay, ELISA, flow cytometry and validate quality by transmission electron microscopy, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, viral genome population sequencing, and sterility testing for internal laboratory use. Independently evaluate and validate vector potency via in vivo mouse studies, including tail vein injection, intratumoral injection, luciferase imaging, immunohistochemistry staining, and qPCR of dissected organs.
• Establish production plans, timelines, and supplies inventory to meet the production needs of research groups within the organization and outside partners. Establish a robust AAV vector purification strategy using chromatography.
• Conduct titering and validation of vector quality under strict SOPs and document results for external vector use. Design and manage animal studies to validate vector potency. Develop new HDCR-based manufacturing processes for emerging biologics.
• Refine or initiate new procedures and analytical methodology to improve productivity and quality.
• Develop new purification techniques and record and validate results for accuracy and completeness.
• Prepare articles and papers, publish results in academic journals, and present findings at conferences. Ensure that other researchers are correctly carrying out protocols and accurately recording data and parameters. Critically evaluate results to determine logical next experiments.
• Carry out laboratory activities in compliance with safety procedures and guidelines in handling, storage, and disposal of materials.
• Develop and modify protocols for continual improvement. Independently evaluate and propose performance improvement initiatives, and cooperate with other performance improvement and compliance activities within the department and in the institution.
• Provide routine lab support and maintenance activities. Complete and maintain all required trainings.

Your qualifications should include:

• Bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent in General Biology, Biological Science, or related field, plus three (3) years of experience as a Research Associate or related occupation.
• Mass production of oncolytic vaccina virus, Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV), and stem cells; operation of HDCR bioreactor to produce Poxviruses, AAV, and stem cells; chromatographic purification of AAV gene therapy vectors; gradient-based purification of AAV and oncolytic vectors; and in vivo potency testing of AAV and oncolytic vectors required.
• Salary: $74,663.89 – $115,729.12 per year

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