Viral Vector Scientist, Avian

Neion Bio is harnessing nature’s best molecular factory, the chicken egg, to make medicine affordable, accessible, and resilient. Using cutting edge genetic engineering and stem cell technology, we create “living bioreactors”, which act as fully autonomous 3D biomolecular printers, operating on existing industrial-scale infrastructure. Our platform can rapidly and scalably produce almost any protein, provide national resilience to drug shortages and de-risk complex supply chains, and ultimately take advantage of novel biological environments to solve unmet medical needs. We are on a mission to reimagine the way in which complex biological molecules are produced to transform human health.

At Neion Bio you will play a pivotal role in an early-stage, fast-growing company, working alongside leading scientists and entrepreneurs. You will have the opportunity to participate in the enormous potential upside while having a huge impact on the world.

We are looking for a talented virologist or molecular biologist on the scientist level experienced with the engineering, production and purification of viral vectors, including lentivirus, adenovirus and AAV; and with a deep understanding of the underlying receptor biology of viral vector transduction of cells, ideally in non-model organisms. This is a hands-on role.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform cloning of large viral genomes, with a focus on capsid modification by either rational design or directed evolution
• Perform transfections on primary cells, immortalized cells, and animal tissues
• Design, manufacture, purify, characterize, validate and test a range of viral vectors, at small and large scale
• Design experiments, generate and analyze datasets allowing to adapt vector strategies to use in avian systems
• Assess efficiency of workflows through cellular assays and NGS sequencing approaches
• Extract DNA, RNA, protein from animal tissue, design and run PCR, qPCR, RT-PCR, ELISA assays to quantify viral transgene and transcription, protein
• Conduct experiments and work on research problems
• Maintain excellent electronic laboratory records
• Work on project milestones
• Attend lab meetings, prepare reports and presentations on the progress of projects

Requirements

• PhD (or BA with 7+ years of experience/MS with 5+ years of experience) in biological sciences, bioengineering, molecular biology, genetics, or any science related field, or equivalent experience
• Experience with cloning large libraries or large viral genomes
• Experience with transfection and transduction of difficult target cells/tissues
• Experience producing, purifying, characterizing, validating and testing of a range of viral vectors including adenovirus, lentivirus, AAV
• Deep understanding of the cellular biology, receptors for viral entry and trafficking, mechanisms involved in viral transduction, and immunology
• Experience with ultracentrifugation and with resin and column based viral purification methods
• Experience in genome engineering, cloning, DNA amplification, PCR, NGS, transfections, and other molecular biology skills
• Strong aseptic techniques and GLP procedures
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to effectively manage time and priorities
• Strong written and oral communication skills, as well as creative problem-solving skills
• Curious, eager, and hardworking

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience working with Avian viruses or AAVs or adapting viral vector strategies for use in avian systems
• Extensive experience with and knowledge of adenoviral vectors
• Experience with viral capsid engineering by rational design or directed evolution
• Experience with viral capsid library engineering

Benefits

Compensation: base salary is expected to be $120-150K depending on experience, with additional bonus compensation, equity compensation, and benefits including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, and 401(k).