Bioprocess Engineer

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Job description

Visterra, Inc. is a clinical stage biotechnology company committed to developing innovative biologic therapies for the treatment of patients with kidney diseases and other hard-to-treat diseases. Our proprietary technology platform enables the design and engineering of precision antibody or protein-based drug candidates that modulate key disease targets. We are developing a robust pipeline of novel therapies for patients with unmet needs.

Visterra is a wholly owned subsidiary of Otsuka America, Inc., which is a U.S. holding company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. of Japan. Visterra has approximately 85 employees and is in Waltham, Massachusetts, where we have a brand-new state of the art research lab. The Waltham site is accessible by public transportation (red line to Alewife and free shuttle bus to site).

Summary

With guidance from the Director, CMC, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, the Bioprocess Engineer will be responsible for assisting the Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology group with downstream purification of antibody-based molecules including chromatography, filtration, and inactivation. We anticipate the responsibilities will require a commitment of six months, 40 or more hours a week, at Visterra's facility in Waltham, MA. This role is open to contractors, or temporary employment for approximately six months from the date of hire.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute small-scale chromatography and filtration experiments. Execute scale down models of purification unit operations.
• Troubleshoot methods and experimental results through careful observation, critical review of data, and consideration of literature.
• Present work at informal department and cross functional meetings as well as a final project presentation to the greater Visterra Scientific team.

Requirements

• A B.S. or M.S. in a relevant field, plus two to five years of industry experience.
• Hands-on experience with operating AKTA Avant chromatography controllers.
• Hands-on experience with manual and automated TFF equipment.
• The ability to create buffer/solution recipes and prepare them in the lab.
• The ability to operate standard lab based purification analytical equipment including pH meters, conductivity meters, solo VPE spectrophotometers, osmometers, densitometers, etc.
• The ability to critically analyze scientific concepts and experimental data.
• Comfort working in a lab environment.
• The ability to think critically and communicate effectively within an interdisciplinary group.
• The ability to to work independently, meet deadlines and prioritize work effectively.
• The temperament to enjoy and thrives in a fast-paced, multi-tasked, and hands-on environment.

Visterra provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.