Senior Research Associate/ Scientist, Biologics CMC Development

Job Introduction

Thanks for checking out our vacancy, we’re delighted you want to learn more about Dechra!

Dechra is a growing, global specialist within the world of veterinary pharmaceuticals. Our expertise is in the development, manufacture, marketing and sales of high quality products exclusively for veterinarians worldwide.

Here at Dechra, our values are embedded within our culture and thrive within our family of almost 3000 colleagues globally. From manufacturing to marketing, (D)edication, (E)njoyment, (C)ourage, (H)onesty, (R)elationships and (A)mbition are at the heart of our everyday operations and the way we do business.

The Opportunity 

Invetx Inc., a Division of Dechra, is a veterinary biotechnology company based in the USA that is engaged in the discovery and development of novel therapeutic proteins for the treatment of important diseases in the veterinary species focused on companion animals using a proprietary platform that combines industry-leading technologies.  In July 2024 Dechra Pharmaceuticals acquired Invetx.   Invetx continues its focus to bring differentiated biotherapeutics for dogs and cats to the Animal Health market as its own Division within the Dechra organization.

Sr. Research Associate/Scientist in the Biologics CMC development team will play a  key role to support the CMC development activities of the monoclonal antibody-based pipeline programs. The individual will be responsible for designing, running, documenting, and analyzing scientific experiments. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to mammalian cell culture, protein expression and purification, analytical method development/optimization/routine analysis and late-stage analytical characterization, data collection and lab notebook documentation. The person is also expected to communicate and present data cross functionally throughout Invetx. This is a full-time onsite position based at the Natick, MA lab and reporting to the Senior Manager, Biologics CMC Development.

Main Responsibilities

So, what will you be doing? This role has a broad and varied scope and the successful candidate will have responsibility for duties including:

• Perform Mammalian cell culture, shake flasks and bioreactor runs, transient expression and scale-up of recombinant proteins with a focus on monoclonal antibodies and bispecific antibodies.  
• Perform platform purification steps for purifying pipeline recombinant antibody molecules.
• Develop, /troubleshoot and perform routine analysis of mAb related analytical methods including but not limited to SEC-HPLC, CEX-HPLC, RP-HPLC, preparative HPLC, cIEF, CE-SDS, ELISA etc.
• Author SoPs, protocols and reports for analytical methods and protein expression/purification for platform use in CMC projects.
• Support late-stage CMC protein characterization activities, perform forced degradation studies etc.
• Identify and coordinate testing at external vendor sites and shipments.
• Maintain a safe working environment.
• Work with project timelines/deliverables, support and coordinate cross-functional activities to achieve team goals.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with the discovery team for new product developability and other cross functional team members.
• Organize activities and record experiments clearly in lab notebook. Write clear reports where required.
• Prepare and present data to communicate progress to the company.

Here at Dechra we pride ourselves on being an inclusive employer and we embrace candidates from all walks of life. We’re particularly excited to hear from those who have/are:

• Bachelor or Masters in Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Bioprocess or Chemical Engineering, or related science.
• Ideal candidate will have BS + 6 years of relevant laboratory experience or MS + 3 years of relevant laboratory experience
• Good working knowledge protein expression, purification and analytical development for recombinant monoclonal antibodies.
• Prior hands-on experience in mammalian cell culture, transient expression and scale-up.
• Ability to independently perform lab-based experiments.
• Effective communication and data presentation skills.
• Good documentation practices for documenting experiments in lab notebooks.

As a people first values-based culture, we provide free weekly wellness sessions focused on our employee's physical and mental wellbeing, and flexible work arrangements. We offer a generous employer 401k match and an other incentives for long-term financial wellness. Our full array of health, financial and voluntary benefit programs are what you would expect from a recognized Best Place to Work.