Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Umoja Biopharma is a game-changing biotech start-up with locations in Seattle, WA and Louisville, CO, focused on transforming the treatment of cancer with a novel integrated immunotherapy platform. Our vision is to develop off-the-shelf therapies capable of treating any tumor, any time. We are a diverse and growing team working in brand-new facilities in downtown Seattle, Washington, and Louisville, Colorado, and we are looking for innovative thinkers who are excited by groundbreaking science and technology, and passionate about squaring up to the challenges inherent to cutting edge drug development. We are committed to the principles of Diversity Equity and Inclusion and strongly invite applications from enthusiastic individuals who share our commitment and help position Umoja as a leader in this front.

We at Umoja believe in the importance of stories; we are looking for great people to join our team to help us create more stories for ourselves, for you, and most importantly for patients and their families. 

Umoja Biopharma – Your Body. Your Hope. Your Cure. 

POSITION SUMMARY

We are seeking a passionate and capable Bioprocessing Specialist to support downstream Manufacturing Operations at our newly constructed early-stage cell/gene therapy GMP manufacturing facility located in Louisville, CO. This role will execute routine downstream purification Manufacturing Operations and step in as lead for the supervisor as needed. Primary job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, leading downstream improvement initiatives or unit operation strategies, leading and executing buffer prep, chromatography, and TFF batch records, material management, personnel gowning, adhering to personnel/material flow, facility cleaning, onboarding new manufacturing processes/products, and assisting in the implementation of facility quality systems. Success is measured by qualifying on downstream manufacturing unit operations and successful execution to create phase1 lentiviral drug products. This role will interact on a regular basis with internal process engineers, Process Sciences, facilities, warehouse/supply chain, EHS, Quality Assurance, and Quality Control. Strong communication skills are essential to effectively work in our matrix team environment. This is an opportunity to be part of an excellent team working in an exciting environment, focused on realizing the challenge of targeting solid tumors successfully with novel cell/gene therapies.   

 
CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES
Specific responsibilities include:   

• Lead the implementation of compliant and technically sound programs and systems in support of GMP manufacturing
• Actively participate in the receipt of internal technology transfer of novel cell/gene therapy manufacturing processes at various scales. 
• Observe, participate, and perform in downstream unit operation execution, and initial internal technology transfer runs from Process Sciences to Manufacturing
• Perform activities related to the introduction of new raw materials specifications from draft through approval
• Perform equipment cleanings, as required, per routine maintenance events, and pre/post process requirements.
• Adhere to Standard Operating Procedures, good manufacturing practices, and good documentation practices
• Perform aseptic manufacture of lentiviral products in an aseptic clean-room environment (ISO5, ISO7, ISO8, ISO9)
• Maintain inventory and perform stocking activities for gowning, cleaning, and consumable materials to ensure sufficient inventory is available to support manufacturing operations
• Perform material management activities related to kitting of Bill of Materials items
• Perform weigh/dispense and buffer prep operations in a clean-room environment (ISO9)
• Other duties as needed 

A successful candidate will have:

• Associate's degree/Bachelor's degree in a related biotechnology or life-sciences field with 7/5 years of cGMP manufacturing experience (respectively) in the pharmaceutical and/or biologics field is desired or equivalent in work experience or education 
• Prior Commercial GMP manufacturing experience is required 
• Downstream purification knowledge or experience is required (e.g., depth-filtration, tangential flow filtration, and/or chromatography), specifically Cytiva's AKTA Ready and Repligen's KMPi systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior Commercial launch GMP manufacturing experience preferred
• Prior experience receiving a technology transfer is a bonus 
• Demonstrated experience working on results-oriented teams where contribution and collaboration were critical to project success
• Proficient in computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and web-based applications
• Self-motivated with strong organization and communication skills and can work independently or as part of a multi-disciplinary matrixed team. 

Physical Requirements:   

• Ability to gown aseptically and work in a Clean Room environment 
• Ability to work while gowned for extended periods of time 
• Extensive use of laboratory equipment includes handling chemicals and biological materials
• Must have the ability to work around laboratories, manufacturing areas and equipment, and regularly lift 10-20 lbs. and periodically lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to work nights and weekends as needed
• Ability to work holidays and on call as needed

Salary Range: $89,250 - $110,250. This is a non-exempt role.

Benefits Offerings

Umoja Biopharma offers its employees competitive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans. Additionally, we offer Umojians access to a 401k plan through Fidelity, with a 100% match up to their first 4% deferral. Umoja also provides a generous Paid Time Off policy, employee commuter benefits, and cell phone stipend. For a full breakdown of our benefits offerings, please see the Benefits section of our website.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs