Scientist, Upstream Viral Vector

Our client is a global, commercial stage cell therapy company with an established product on the market and an expanding research pipeline. Its scientists work across several next generation modalities from multiple R&D sites worldwide.

The Opportunity
This is a lab based scientist role on the upstream side of the client's viral vector group. You will own the cell culture experiments behind lentiviral vector production for next generation CAR-T work, and help grow the process from early stage culture into bioreactors. You will be the go to person for how cells are grown, transfected, and fed, and your data will guide how the process is designed, compared, and handed off for further development.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Build and improve the upstream cell culture process, from early seed expansion through progressively larger bioreactor runs, with consistent results and a clear scientific basis for every process setting.

Run and refine lentiviral vector production, with a focus on transient transfection conditions; contribute to producer cell line work as programs require.

Improve titer, product quality, and consistency through media screening, feed design, and adjustments to culture conditions.

Plan targeted studies that show the process will hold up at larger scale.
Work hand in hand with colleagues in molecular biology, purification, analytics, and process development so each stage of the process fits together.

Help decide which early stage findings are ready to become formal process development work, and weigh in on study design and process comparability.
Work independently: set up your own experiments, run them, analyze the results, and decide what comes next.

Turn results into concise summaries, written reports, and presentations with clear recommendations for the wider team.

Work safely in a biosafety level 2 lab and keep complete, well organized electronic notebook records so every result can be traced and repeated.

Qualifications

REQUIRED

PhD plus at least 1 year in industry, or MS plus 4 or more years in industry, in cell biology, virology, chemical or biological engineering, or a similar discipline.

Hands on experience growing mammalian cells in suspension to produce viral vector (lentiviral or AAV).

Hands on experience with transient transfection.

Upstream experience in shake flasks and small bioreactors.

Solid molecular biology skills, including plasmid work and PCR, qPCR, or ddPCR assays.

A track record of designing experiments, troubleshooting when they fail, and drawing sound conclusions from the data.

Strong writing and presentation skills, with experience sharing results across functions.

PREFERRED

Lentiviral vector production experience.

Experience taking a culture process into larger bioreactors.

Producer or packaging cell line development experience.

Industry experience in gene or cell therapy process development.

Engagement & Location

Full time, permanent role with the client.

Based at the client's Greater Philadelphia R&D site. This is a lab based role, onsite five days a week.

Relocation assistance is available for the right candidate.

Target start date in November or December 2026.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

Compensation

Target base salary of $120,000 to $125,000, commensurate with education and experience. Annual performance bonus target of 8%.

Comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) with company match, paid parental leave, and generous paid time off.

The salary offered will be commensurate with experience, skills, qualifications, and other relevant factors.

About the Search: This search is being managed by Summit Strategic Search on behalf of our client. This is a full-time, permanent position where the successful candidate will be hired directly by the end client.

Equal Opportunity Commitment: Summit Strategic Search and our client are equal opportunity partners. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Accommodations & Support: We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities during the application and interview process. If you require assistance, please contact us at

admin@summitstrategicsearch.com

. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for harassment and provide all contractors with dedicated reporting channels to ensure a safe, professional work environment.

Selection & Onboarding: As this is a direct-hire role within a regulated industry, the end client’s standard hiring protocols apply. This includes, but is not limited to, a comprehensive background check and drug screening prior to the start of employment. All hiring decisions are made solely by the end- client.