Associate Scientist, Global Technical Development

Location: London Laboratory

Reporting to: Senior Scientist, Global Technical Development

Job Summary

Orchard Therapeutics is a global gene therapy leader dedicated to transforming the lives of people affected by rare diseases through the development of innovative, curative cell and gene therapies. Orchard has its global headquarters in London and U.S. headquarters in Boston, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyowa Kirin, a Japan-based Global Specialty Pharmaceutical Company.

As an Associate Scientist in the Cell Process Development team, the successful candidate will support the development and characterisation of Orchard Therapeutics' innovative gene-modified cell-based therapeutic products in our state-of-the-art development laboratories in London, Hammersmith site. Primary activities will include the process development and optimisation of our drug product manufacturing process, investigating all manufacturing process steps including cell selection, transduction, culture, and formulation. The position may also involve collaborative research with internal departments and external partners to advance Orchard's product pipeline and support ongoing therapeutic programs.

This position will suit a keen and enthusiastic scientist, with a strong scientific foundation and a willingness to learn new skills and develop in an exciting and fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Support experiments focused on process development and characterization of HSC-based gene modified cell processes to establish robust platform methodologies.
• Conduct routine processes, analytics and data analysis, such as flow cytometry, ddPCR, lentiviral vector production/titration.
• Design, perform and support experiments and data analysis, and prepare data presentations and reports, with guidance as required.
• Assist in preparation, review, editing and approval of batch records, standard operating procedures, development protocols and reports.
• Present development plans and results to the wider department and functional teams as requested.
• Collaborate with the research, pre-clinical, QA and other internal departments or external parties to meet company timelines and milestones.
• Assist with lab operations including stock management and equipment maintenance.
• Perform other activities that may be assigned, in agreement with line management.

• Experience in industrial research in biotechnology/biological sciences, with a primary focus on cell and gene therapy.
• Practical laboratory experience in cell culture, cell transduction, and related analytical methods e.g. ddPCR/qPCR, flow cytometry.
• Confident in independently designing and/or performing various lab techniques and data analysis with the ability to quickly learn and develop new practical lab skills. With guidance, designing and conducting broader scope experiments including multiple scientists and supporting department/function goals.
• Expertise in gene therapy vectors and autologous gene-modified cellular therapies and associated analytical methods.

• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills.
• Outstanding organizational skills, with the ability to manage time for multiple projects and be resourceful.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Creative problem solver.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary industrial environment.

• BSc or MSc in bioprocessing, biological sciences, gene therapy or related subject.