We are looking for a Senior Scientist, Media Development to join a biotech company whose goal is to redefine the biotech/biopharma industry in the United States and globally. Our client has a long standing history of providing products and services that support scientific research, and they are building a team of driven, goal/result-oriented individuals who are passionate about making a difference in the industry.

The Senior Scientist, Cell Culture Media Development, will be responsible for leading the efforts of an R&D team to develop and tech transfer cell culture media formulations for a variety of applications including primary cell culture. This position will work closely with other teams within the R&D group to support media formulation development needs for new products introductions. The Senior Scientist will also work closely with internal/external tech transfer and QA personnel.

In this role, you will:

• Use DOE (Design of Experiment) and other scientific methods to determine optimal media formulations to support a wide range of primary, immortalized primary, stem and continuous cells and cell lines.
• Develop stable and scalable media formulations that meet customer and manufacturing requirements.
• Use sound people and performance management skills ensures that the media development team delivers projects to specifications, on time and within approved budget.
• Coordinate with Senior Leadership and provide input and guidance on strategies affecting cell culture media product lines and related projects.
• Work within the cell biology R&D team to support all projects that have a media development component.
• Represent team, as needed, on product development Core Teams and other cross-functional teams.
• Work with appropriate internal and/or external resources to ensure successful tech transfer and scale up of media formulations.
• Maintain current knowledge of cell culture media development and manufacturing technologies to ensure product lines continue to meet customer needs and remain competitive.
• Improve processes as needed to continuously improve cycle time and cost.
• Develop and presents reports and presentations on team and project status; communicates issues to management appropriately and in a timely manner to ensure timelines, budget and goals are consistently met.
• Communicate pertinent corporate and business unit information to their team and ensures high quality, rigorous scientific and safety standards are upheld.
• Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organizations’ policies and applicable laws. Has authority either directly or through recommendations for employment decision to include selection, training, performance evaluations, counseling, promotions and terminations.

 Skills and Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Cell Biology or other life science discipline is required and 5 -8 years of relevant work experience. A Bachelor’s degree in a life science field and 15 – 18 years of relevant experience or a Master’s degree in a life science field and 13 – 16 years of relevant experience may be substituted for a Ph.D.
• 3 – 5 years of relevant hands-on experience in cell culture media development is required.
• Industry experience is highly preferred.
• A demonstrated work history of increasing responsibilities and accountability is required.
• A minimum of three years’ demonstrated experience in people management including direct and team management is required.
• Experience successfully using DOE for media optimization experiments, understanding order of addition issues for media formulation stability and stability testing processes.
• Demonstrated expertise in tech transfer from R&D to manufacturing environments. Experience in working with and managing external partners is desirable.
• Proven ability to effectively manage up and down.
• Solid personnel management, coaching, delegating and evaluation skills.
• Must be able to travel occasionally on business domestically and potentially internationally, sometimes on short notice.
• Self-starter, motivated and takes initiative; strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills; able to work collaboratively with all levels of staff to resolve problems and external partners to maximize performance, creativity, problem solving and results.
• Seek, learn, and apply new skills/knowledge to perform job responsibilities.
• Attentive to detail with a high level of accuracy; exercise sound judgment and strong project management skills.
• Resourceful, diplomatic and professional; deliver outstanding customer service while managing relationships; a can-do attitude and work style that supports teamwork and lead teams when necessary, collaboration and positive relationships.
• Adaptable; be able to shift priorities and focus as departmental and/or business demands change including, but not limited to early/late hours and/or weekend hours.
• Strong analytical skills and organized; completes tasks ahead of schedule.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including excellent listening skills and presentation skills to communicate clearly, concisely and effectively.
• Position-relevant computer experience including Microsoft Office.
• Follow all company safety practices, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) and policies.

This position is on site in Gaithersburg, MD.