Research Associate (Monoclonal)
Position Summary:
The Research Associate is a member of the Monoclonal Development team which is a core function for antibody development at CST. This individual will be responsible for screening XMT and mouse fusions to provide monoclonal antibody clones with the best utilities possible to be developed into final products. This position will focus on an early step in our product development process and will enable broad exposure to the full monoclonal antibody development process.
Responsibilities:
- Contribute to team’s goal of achieving highest possible screen success rate for XMT and mouse hybridoma as defined by percentage of XMT/mouse fusions of cloning requests filed by Antibody Discovery Verticals
- Effectively clone and release mouse hybridoma clone cultures to Antibody Production Group by following established standard operating procedures (SOPs) within service level agreement expectations
- Take over XMT or mouse fusion cultures from XMT or fusion performer
- Feed cultures to maintain optimal cell growth conditions to obtain maximum number of XMT or fusion colonies
- Maintain appropriate CO2 levels, temperature, and water level of assigned incubators
- Conduct periodic cleaning and decontamination of assigned biosafety cabinet and incubator(s) to ensure that cultures are free of microorganism contamination
- Release clone cultures at optimal health conditions and sufficient cell numbers to requestors including transferring requested frozen XMT to the Recombinant Cloning Group
- Provide XMT or fusion culture supernatants to Antibody Discovery Verticals and/or Clinical Application Testing Groups to facilitates western and applications testing
- Meet all internal service level agreements in turnaround time to release the requested clones to Recombinant Cloning Group and Antibody Production Group for further product development
- Purge unwanted frozen cultures in LN2 tanks and effectively manage existing LN2 storage spaces to ensure efficient productivity
- Participate in tissue culture room restocking and recycling
- Process and document resulting data in accordance with CST hard copy and electronic laboratory documentation requirements (e.g. notebooks, electronic LIMS, Jira, PDP, PLM, etc.)
Requirements:
- Bachelors degree in a biological science (e.g. cell biology, immunology, biochemistry, molecular biology, or biotechnology)
- Basic understanding and working knowledge of experimental design and protocols
- Some hands on or class experience/exposure with tissue culture
- Computer proficiency including working knowledge of MS Office Suite, Google Docs, or related applications.
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
- Proven effective team contributor
- Attention to detail
- Demonstrated organizational skills
Preferred:
- Bachelors degree in cell biology or immunology preferred
- 1+ years of laboratory experience preferred
- Basic scientific understanding and application of fundamental biological experiments
- Knowledge in signal transduction is desirable
- Ability to analyze and problem solve
- Advanced Excel skills (e.g. function writing and page referencing)