Senior Research Associate, Discovery Bioscience - Astellas

Senior Research Associate, Discovery Bioscience

Do you want to be part of an inclusive team that works to develop innovative therapies for patients? Every day, we are driven to develop and deliver innovative and effective new medicines to patients and physicians.  If you want to be part of this exciting work, you belong at Astellas!

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are committed to turning innovative science into medical solutions that bring value and hope to patients and their families. Keeping our focus on addressing unmet medical needs and conducting our business with ethics and integrity enables us to improve the health of people throughout the world. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at www.astellas.com.

About Astellas Gene Therapies

Astellas Gene Therapies is an Astellas Center of Excellence developing genetic medicines for patients with rare, life-threatening diseases. Based on our innovative approach to developing genetic medicines, as well as our industry-leading internal manufacturing capability and expertise, we have become the Astellas Center of Excellence for their newly created Genetic Regulation Focus Area. We are currently exploring three gene therapy modalities: gene replacement, exon skipping gene therapy, and vectorized RNA knockdown, with plans to expand our focus and geographic reach under Astellas. We are based in San Francisco, with manufacturing and laboratory facilities in South San Francisco and Sanford, North Carolina. For more information, please visit our website: www.astellasgenetherapies.com.

The Role

The Sr. Research Associate will support the Discovery Bioscience team and assist in developing and executing screening assays for the evaluation of AAV vector products. The Research Associate will be located in our South San Francisco R&D laboratories.

Responsibilities

• Molecular cloning using restriction digest and Gibson assembly techniques
• Perform cell culture work, including thawing, maintaining, expanding, cryopreserving immortalized and primary cell lines
• Execute cell-based assays to test AAV vector candidates using routine procedures (AAV transduction, transfection, titer measurements, and cell differentiation)
• Perform DNA, RNA, and protein isolation from mammalian cells
• Analyze gene and protein expression through the application of a variety of techniques (RT-PCR, qPCR, digital PCR, western blot, immunofluorescence, and ELISA)
• Collect, process, and evaluate data; Accurately document assay results and analyze data through the maintenance of an updated electronic laboratory notebook, prepare study reports, and communicate results and research progress in lab meetings as needed
• Participate in sample management activities such as receiving, processing, storage, and shipping pre-clinical samples
• Collaborate with other teams to acquire and aliquot vector lots, document characterization of vectors (vg titer, capsid titer, alkaline gel results)
• Collaborate in laboratory management activities such as receiving, tracking, storage, and maintenance of laboratory reagent stock
• Additional duties as assigned