Description:
Note:
One-year contract with the potential for extension.
Location: 100% onsite Rockville, MD
Work Schedule: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM or 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM (40 hours per week).
Open to candidates willing to relocate but no relocation assistance is provided.

The ideal candidate for this Scientist role will have strong hands-on experience in protein expression and purification within a biotech or big pharma setting. They need to have background experience in antibody-based therapeutics and familiarity with Affinity Chromatography, AKTA systems, and Unicorn software. Candidates with automation or high-throughput protein purification backgrounds will be highly preferred. The role entails cell culture maintenance skills, such as expansion and propagation, and general laboratory support tasks such as buffer preparation and inventory management. A PhD (0+ years), Master's (2+ years), or Bachelor's (4+ years) in an appropriate field is required, with a bias towards industrial experience over academic. Strong record-keeping skills and electronic notebook experience are required. Would prioritize candidates from AstraZeneca, GSK, or other big pharma applicants.

Job Description:

• We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated contract worker to join our protein engineering team. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in cell maintenance and expansion, transfection, and protein expression in mammalian cells. This role requires proficiency in making buffers, protein purification chromatography (with a strong emphasis on affinity chromatography and AKTA experience), buffer exchange endotoxin measurement and analytics, aliquoting and inventory management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Cell Maintenance and Expansion: Perform routine maintenance and expansion of mammalian cell cultures to ensure optimal growth and viability.
• Transfection and Protein Expression: Transfect mammalian cell cultures for antibody/protein expression in both flasks & 96 well blocks. Track titers, troubleshoot.
• Buffer Preparation: Prepare various buffers required for protein purification and other laboratory processes.
• Protein Purification Chromatography: Execute protein purification protocols, with a focus on affinity chromatography using AKTA and Kingfisher systems.
• Buffer Exchange: Perform buffer exchange procedures, particularly using Big Tuna systems.
• Endotoxin Measurement and Cleanup: Measure and remove endotoxins from protein samples to ensure purity and safety.
• Aliquoting and Inventory Management: Aliquoting and Inventory Management: Accurately aliquot protein samples, manage inventory, and handle shipments to maintain an organized and efficient laboratory environment.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field.
• Proven experience in cell culture maintenance and expansion.
• Hands-on experience with transfection and protein expression in mammalian cells.
• Proficiency in making buffers and performing protein purification chromatography, especially affinity chromatography with AKTA systems.
• Experience with buffer exchange techniques; Experience with Big Tuna instrument is a plus.
• Knowledge of endotoxin measurement and cleanup procedures.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail for aliquoting, inventory management, eln entry, and managing shipments.
• Experience with protein analytics (capillary electrophoresis, Octet Quantification, stability studies) are a plus
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Previous experience in a contract or temporary role within a biotechnology or pharmaceutical company is preferred.

Basic Qualifications    

• 0+ Years w/ Relevant PhD or equivalent (where applicable) 2+ Years w/ Relevant MS or equivalent 4+ Years w/ Relevant BS or equivalent Advanced and proficient understanding and use of technical principles, theories, and concepts to perform expansive range of work in a role. Basic knowledge of related and adjacent disciplinary areas.

Must Have Skill Sets:            

• Mammalian Protein Expression
• Affinity Chromatography (Purification)
• Excellent Recordkeeping/ELN/Inventory skills

Pay Rate  between $40 - $46/Hr on W2 based on experience.

"This posting is for Contingent Worker, not an FTE"