Job Description

Kodo Lifescience (KLS) is a supplier of high quality biological raw materials. We optimize methods for the cost-efficient manufacturing of these raw materials to enable the development of accessible cell and gene therapies worldwide. We are looking to add a highly motivated scientist at our Chennai R&D lab to help develop the upstream process to produce viral vectors (lentivirus, gamma retrovirus etc.) used for gene delivery. The candidate will work on the development, scale up and transfer of the viral vector production process into our GMP manufacturing facility.

Job Responsibilities

• Expand and bank producer cell lines used to manufacture viral vectors at KLS at Research Cell Banks and eventually use the same to make Master Cell Banks
• Develop or modify the design of viral packaging plasmids to generate viral vectors for the delivery of different genes of interest
• Design and perform experiments, analyze and interpret data to
• Optimize the transient packaging process for producing viral vectors at small to medium scale
• Evaluate medium to large scale bioreactors for the production scale viral vector manufacturing using both transient and stable virus packaging cell systems
• Work closely with the Downstream Process team to seamlessly transfer the USP output material into the DSP workflow
• Work closely with the analytical development team for characterizing the USP process and process output materials for productivity of viral vectors and suitability of the process to be used to generate clinical grade viral particles
• Transfer processes to the GMP facility (travel to the facility as needed)

Prior experience and skills preferred

• Strong adherent and suspension cell culture experience and aseptic technique (experience using T flasks, Cell Stacks and bioreactors for mammalian cells)
• Experience optimizing transient transfection conditions
• BSL2+ tissue culture and material handling experience
• Knowledge of viral vector characterization, quantitation and functional efficacy test methods such as flow cytometry, ELISA, fluorescent imaging, qPCR
• Experience in scaling up viral vector packaging processes
• Experience in transferring the process into a GMP manufacturing facility (Method development report, tech transfer documentation, MSAT experience)
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements for using viral vectors in CGT is a plus
• Data analysis and presentation skills, strong communication, excellent recordkeeping and attention to detail
• M.Sc (related field) and 6+ years of relevant experience or PhD and 4+ years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered

Email: srinivas.rengarajan@kodolifescience.com