Co-Op, Analytical Life Cycle Management (ALCM) Cell Culture

Who is BlueRock?

BlueRock Therapeutics, a wholly-owned and independently operated subsidiary of Bayer AG, is a leading engineered cell therapy company using its unique cell+gene platform to direct cellular differentiation and genetically engineer cells to create a new generation of cellular medicines that address large patient populations suffering from neurological, cardiovascular, and immunology diseases.

The convergence of cell biology and genetic engineering is creating fundamental new ways to impact disease. Founded in 2016 to capitalize on these technological breakthroughs, we are advancing our novel cell+gene platform to develop, manufacture, and deliver an entirely new generation of authentic and engineered cell therapies across three therapeutic areas: neurology, cardiology, and immunology.

What Are We Doing?

Our foundational science harnesses the ability to create and then direct the differentiation of universal pluripotent stem cells into authentic, functional cells that can be used as allogeneic cellular therapies to treat a broad array of diseases. We can also further engineer these cells, enabling them to produce enzymes, antibodies, and other proteins for additional therapeutic benefit.

We are passionate about delivering on the promise of cellular and gene therapy, shaping the future of cellular medicine, and delivering new therapies to millions of patients with treatment options.

We are seeking individuals who are collaborative, thrive in a fun and dynamic culture, and are steadfast in the commitment to advance cutting-edge cellular therapies to impact patients’ lives.

This position in Assay Life Cycle Management (ALCM) would be part of the Neuronal Cell-based assay sub-team. As such, the Co-Op is responsible for providing support for ongoing cell-based assay work across BlueRock’s development pipeline. This role will report and work closely with the ALCM scientists, analysts, and program leads to generate sound scientific evidence to support and drive the company’s clinical and regulatory development strategy. The successful candidate will be able to routinely and independently run cell-based assays and support additional development work as needed.

This role is for a 6-month to 8-month co-op.

Responsibilities

• Support routine execution of neuronal biology cell-based assays, including long-term cell culture and imaging assays, in both our research and GMP lab space.
• Support for methods using bioanalytical equipment, ex. HPLC.
• Routine lab maintenance, including inventory, reagent preparation, and documentation in our electronic lab notebook.
• Support with data integrity checkpoints, including data export, analysis and verification
• Suggest assay optimizations and work independently to drive decision-making

Qualifications & Requirements

• Have (Currently enrolled in a degree program at an accredited college or university Biomedical, biological or biochemistry or related field of study).
• Possess the (Ability to work a 8 month assignment, full-time).
• Must be 18 years of age by the start of the co-op.
• Must have transportation to the site in Toronto, ON, CA.
• This position is intended to be on-site and candidates will be informed should anything change.
• Strong experience in  in mammalian cell culture aseptic technique is a must, especially with a focus on neuronal and/or pluripotent cell culture.
• Experience with imaging-based assays
• Experience in basic or advanced chromatography techniques, esp. HPLC, would be a powerful asset.
• Experience with GxP guidelines/documentation and general GxP experience in analytical development would be an asset.
• Experience with R programming language is an asset
• Excellent organizational skills, sufficient to multi-task in an extremely fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration with others.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and analytical skills.
• Conscientious, disciplined, and flexible, has a sense of responsibility and ensures that work is performed accurately, precisely and in a timely manner.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced company environment and able to adjust workload based upon changing priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel for data analysis is required.
• Proficient use of MS Office, (Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word).