Sr. Research Associate - Viral Vector Upstream

We're here for one reason and one reason only - to cure cancer. Every moment is dedicated to developing treatments and every action moves us one step closer to our goal. We've made incredible scientific breakthroughs and our pioneering personalized CAR T-cell therapies have changed the paradigm. But we're not finished yet.

Join Kite, as we make even bigger advances in cancer therapies, and help shape where our business and medical science goes next.

We believe every employee deserves a great leader. People Leaders are the cornerstone to the employee experience at Gilead and Kite. As a people leader now or in the future, you are the key driver in evolving our culture and creating an environment where every employee feels included, developed and empowered to fulfil their aspirations. Join Kite and help create more tomorrows.

Job Description

Kite Pharma is seeking a creative and highly motivated Sr. Research Associate to join our growing vector process design team in Santa Monica. In this integral role, you will contribute to the company's pipeline development for hematopoietic and solid tumor malignancies by supporting the development, scale-up, process characterization, and technology transfer of the lentiviral vector process.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, plan and execute laboratory studies for process development, optimization, and characterization
• Perform aseptic cell culture of adherent & suspension cell lines, including seed train maintenance and lentiviral vector production in bioreactors
• Support scale-up activities and GMP clinical production suites
• Write and review study plans & technical documents
• Proficiency in work-related software (Benchling, JMP, Smartsheet, MS Office, etc.)
• Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver key milestones
• Collect, organize, interpret, and present data to key stakeholders
• Manage laboratory inventory and equipment

Education and Experience:

• MS/MA in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Biology or related field with 0+ years of experience OR
• BS/BA in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Biology or related field with 2+ years of experience OR
• AS/AA in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Biology or related field with 4+ years of experience OR
• High School Diploma with 5+ years of related experience

Preferred Technical Skills:

• Hands-on experience with suspension or adherent mammalian cell cultures
• Deep understanding of scale-up and engineering principles (growth rates, consumption/production rates, bioreactor geometry, power calculations, gas transfer rate, shear stress)
• Experience with transfection of mammalian cells using various transfection reagents
• Design of Experiments (DOE) and statistical analysis
• Ability to build, operate, and troubleshoot bench-top and pilot-scale bioreactors
• Excellent communication, presentation, and problem-solving skills
• Self-motivated, organized, and collaborative team player
• Understanding of GMP manufacturing and documentation
• Previous experience with cell therapy products, viral vector production, transient transfection and/or stable cell lines
• Critical thinking and demonstrated troubleshooting abilities
• Ownership mindset and willingness to take on additional responsibilities

The salary range for this position is: $86,275.00 - $111,650.00. Kite considers a variety of factors when determining base compensation, including experience, qualifications, and geographic location. These considerations mean actual compensation will vary. This position may also be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, discretionary stock-based long-term incentives (eligibility may vary based on role), paid time off, and a benefits package. Benefits include company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans*.

For additional benefits information, visit:

https://www.gilead.com/careers/compensation-benefits-and-wellbeing

* Eligible employees may participate in benefit plans, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.

Kite is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of innovative cancer immunotherapies with a goal of providing rapid, long-term durable response and eliminating the burden of chronic care. The company is focused on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and T cell receptor (TCR) engineered cell therapies designed to empower the immune system's ability to recognize and kill tumors. Kite is based in Santa Monica, CA. For more information on Kite, please visit www.kitepharma.com. Sign up to follow @KitePharma on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kitepharma.

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