Scientist II

Scientist II – Viral Vector Process Development
Location: South San Francisco, CA
Pay Rate: $36–$48/hour
Benefits: Weekly pay, medical, dental, vision, and disability coverage

Position Overview

We are seeking a motivated and collaborative Scientist II to support the development and optimization of lentiviral vector (LVV) and adeno-associated virus (AAV) production platforms. This role focuses on improving viral vector yield, production throughput, and quality to support research, screening, and therapeutic pipeline development.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize high-throughput LVV and AAV production workflows using automated liquid handling systems and parallel bioreactor platforms.
• Perform mammalian cell culture, transient transfection, viral vector production, and upstream process optimization.
• Apply Design of Experiments (DOE) methodologies to improve production yield, efficiency, and consistency.
• Develop downstream purification processes, including filtration, tangential flow filtration (TFF), and chromatography.
• Perform viral vector characterization and quality control using molecular biology and analytical techniques.
• Analyze experimental data, maintain laboratory records and inventory, and prepare SOPs, technical reports, and presentations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional research teams to troubleshoot processes and improve experimental outcomes.

Required Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Virology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Genetics, or a related field.
• At least 3 years of laboratory research or industry experience.
• Hands-on experience with ex vivo CAR-T cell engineering using lentiviral vectors.
• Proficiency in mammalian cell culture, transient plasmid transfection, and molecular biology techniques, such as PCR, qPCR, ddPCR, dPCR, or Western blot.
• Strong analytical, data interpretation, documentation, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience producing lentiviral or AAV vectors in adherent or suspension cell systems.
• Knowledge of upstream and downstream process development and viral vector purification.
• Experience with DOE, automated liquid handling systems, and high-throughput workflows.
• Familiarity with flow cytometry, electronic laboratory notebooks, and BSL-2 laboratory operations.

At Tailored Management, we help people get jobs and take pride in their work, so we better take pride in ours too. Not every company has the opportunity to meaningfully and directly impact individuals in a way that makes their lives tangibly better. To better support our employees, we offer a wide variety of benefit options to support you. We offer:

• Medical Coverage – HDHP, PPO, and Surest plan options
• Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC)
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short-Term Disability (STD)
• Long-Term Disability (LTD)
• Life & AD&D Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)