Scientist I - Molecular Cloning

Scientist I - Molecular Cloning Req ID #:  213389 Location: 

Rockville, MD, US, 20850 Rockville, MD, US, 20850 For 75 years, Charles River employees have worked together to assist in the discovery, development and safe manufacture of new drug therapies. When you join our family, you will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of people across the globe. Whether your background is in life sciences, finance, IT, sales or another area, your skills will play an important role in the work we perform. In return, we’ll help you build a career that you can feel passionate about.

IMPORTANT:   In order to be considered for this position, a resume/CV must be uploaded and submitted during the application process.  Please make sure work history and education are added correctly.   

  Job Summary  

The Scientist, Molecular cloning position is responsible for implementing knowledge and expertise to successfully design and execute molecular cloning and plasmid construction for viral vectors including AAV (Adeno Associated Virus), Adenovirus, Lentivirus, shRNA and more. 

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

•    Molecular cloning and plasmid construction for viral vectors including AAV (Adeno Associated Virus), Adenovirus, Lentivirus and other viral vectors.

•    Design, plan and conduct experiments to complete viral vector construction.

•    Perform different scales of plasmid production.

•    Perform plasmid QC testings including restriction enzyme digestion, endotoxin, bioburden, DNA sequencing and other analytical methods.

•    Preparation of reagents, media/buffer, and equipment as needed to support experiments

•    Perform data analysis, prepare technical reports and make internal and external presentations. 

•    Write, review, and revise production SOPs as aligned with updated procedures

•    Work with Supervisor to promote internal research studies.

•    Coordinate with other departments and outside vendors.

•    Maintain good communication and collaboration with colleagues

•    Participate in decision-making processes within the project team by actively engaging in scientific and technical discussions.

•    Build credibility within lab group by performing high quality work.

•    Performs other related duties and ad hoc projects as required by position.

•    Other responsibilities as required. Job Qualifications  

•    PhD degree (0-2 years), MS (3+ years), or BS (5+ years) in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Virology or related field experience.

•    Experience with GLP lab regulations.

•    Familiar with general molecular biology techniques including cloning, sequencing, PCR, etc..

•    Hands-on cloning experience using a variety of cloning techniques (Restriction-insertion cloning, Gibson cloning, etc.).

•    Experience in enzyme digestion, bioburden, endotoxin and gel electrophoresis.

•    Experience with DNA sequencing: both Sanger and NextGen.

•    Expertise in different molecular biology databases at NCBI, Uniprot, etc.

•    Well organized, able to manage multiple projects at a time.  

•    Great attention to detail.

•    Proven troubleshooting, investigational skills, good critical thinking skills and technical skills.

•    Willingness to think outside the box, be creative and ability to work in a very fast paced, ever changing environment.

•    Must be a team player prepared to lead, work in, and embrace a team-based culture.

•    Microsoft Office experience (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) 

•    Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

•    Next Generation Sequencing (Illumina or Nanopore) data analysis experience.

•    Experience of using molecular biology software tools such as Snapgene, Geneious or other related software.

•    DNA Mutagenesis experience.

•    CRISPR gRNA design experience.

•    shRNA design experience.

•    Experience with bacterial culture of various scales including shaking flasks, WAVE bags, and bench top bioreactor vessels (glass and single-use). 

•    Experience with chromatographic techniques and equipment for plasmid purification.

•    Familiar with Smartsheet system.

IMPORTANT: A resume is required to be considered for this position. If you have not uploaded your resume in your candidate profile, please return to upload field and attach your resume/CV. 

About Biologics Testing Solutions

With more than 50 years of experience and proven regulatory expertise, the Charles River Biologics group can address challenging projects for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies worldwide. Offering a variety of services such as contamination and impurity testing, protein characterization, bioassays, viral clearance studies and stability and lot release programs, we support clients throughout the biologic development cycle, from the establishment and characterization of cell banks through preclinical and clinical studies to marketed products. Whether clients need stand-alone services, a unique package of testing, or insourced support, our Biologics group can create a custom solution to suit their needs.  Each year more than 20,000 biologic testing reports are sent each and over 200 licenses products are supported by our biologics testing solutions team.

About Charles River

Charles River is an early-stage contract research organization (CRO). We have built upon our foundation of laboratory animal medicine and science to develop a diverse portfolio of discovery and safety assessment services, both Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and non-GLP, to support clients from target identification through preclinical development. Charles River also provides a suite of products and services to support our clients’ clinical laboratory testing needs and manufacturing activities. Utilizing this broad portfolio of products and services enables our clients to create a more flexible drug development model, which reduces their costs, enhances their productivity and effectiveness to increase speed to market.

With over 20,000 employees within 110 facilities in 20 countries around the globe, we are strategically positioned to coordinate worldwide resources and apply multidisciplinary perspectives in resolving our client’s unique challenges. Our client base includes global pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies and hospitals and academic institutions around the world. 

At Charles River, we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of people’s lives. Our mission, our excellent science and our strong sense of purpose guide us in all that we do, and we approach each day with the knowledge that our work helps to improve the health and well-being of many across the globe. We have proudly supported the development of 86% of the drugs approved by the FDA in 2021.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Charles River Laboratories is an Equal Opportunity Employer - all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, veteran or disability status.

If you are interested in applying to Charles River Laboratories and need special assistance or an accommodation due to a disability to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the resume submission process, please contact a member of our Human Resources team by sending an e-mail message to crrecruitment_US@crl.com. This contact is for accommodation requests for individuals with disabilities only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

For more information, please visit www.criver.com.

Nearest Major Market: Washington DC

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