Intern- Upstream Process Development

Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio) is a leading, clinical-stage gene therapy company founded in 2001 based on the work of adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy visionary and pioneer, Jude Samulski, PhD. Since that time, our commitment to developing life-saving medicines that can potentially cure genetic diseases has never wavered. At AskBio, we’ve built a foundation of therapeutic programs, AAV manufacturing and a rich portfolio of patented technology. Our therapeutic focus includes neuromuscular, central nervous system, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases with clinical trials underway for Pompe disease, Parkinson’s disease, and congestive heart failure. Our gene therapy platform includes Pro10™, an industry-leading proprietary cell line manufacturing process, and an extensive AAV capsid and promoter library. We became a wholly-owned, independently operated, subsidiary of Bayer AG in late 2020 as a cornerstone of its newly formed Cell & Gene Therapy (CGT) platform. Our global headquarters is in Research Triangle Park, NC. Additionally, we have significant operations in Philadelphia, PA, Columbus, OH, Scotland, France, and Spain. Our vision: Pioneering science to create transformative molecular medicines. Our mission: Lead innovative science and drive clinical outcomes to transform people's lives. Our principles: Advance innovative science by pushing boundaries. Bring transformative therapeutics to patients in need. Provide an environment for employees to reach their fullest potential. Our values: Be a Pioneer. We are not afraid of the impossible and to innovate to make gene therapies accessible to those in need. Cultivate Collaboration. Strive to be the best teammate, actively listen, openly communicate, and embrace diverse points of view. Embrace Responsibility. We are humbled by the enormity of our mission. We hold a relentless commitment to advance science and clinical outcomes for our patients, families, and caregivers. Raise the Bar. Continuously drive improvements and efficiencies. Seek and provide constructive feedback. Have a bias for learning and action. Act with Uncompromising Integrity. Be honest, transparent, and committed to doing what’s right in every situation. Make clear commitments and follow through. About the role: Summary: The Upstream Process Development Intern will help establish a high-throughput screening method to optimize upstream transfection conditions for rAAV production. The intern will aseptically culture mammalian cells at small scale platforms such as shake flasks, spin tubes, or well plates. Additionally, this individual will help screen various transfection reagents, salts and buffers to improve rAAV productivity. The applicant’s responsibilities will include aseptically culturing the mammalian cells in different cell culture platforms, transfecting, harvesting transfected cells, and running various characterization assays to fundamentally understand the transfection process. The candidate is expected to have prior experience with aseptic techniques, general lab techniques such as pipetting and preparing solutions. Additionally, the intern will be responsible for analyzing data and reporting results. This position is based at our RTP office and will report to an Upstream Process Development SME. Responsibilities: Learn fundamentals of vector production, transfection, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) principles and other related subjects from trainings Use aseptic techniques to culture HEK cells at small scale platforms (Shake flask, Spin tube, or well plate) Use general good lab practices to prepare salt and buffer solutions through titrations Conduct viral vector triple transfections in the small-scale cell culture models Operate plate reader and Flow Cytometer Communicate touchpoint findings and top condition recommendations Present findings and accomplishments in a formal presentation About you: Required Education and Experience: Must be pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering or science related field; chemical engineering preferred. Must be at least a Junior in college at the time of your application. Experience with volumetric manipulations by single channel adjustable pipette (microliter volumes) Preferred Experience and Skills: Prior internship, work, or volunteer/extracurricular experience preferred Suspension mammalian cell culture experience including aseptic hood work Benchtop bioreactor operation experience Transfection (transient or stable) with preference for gene therapy viral vector production Cell flow cytometry and data analysis Proficient with MS Office Suite and ability to learn new platforms quickly (JMP statistical software) Excellent verbal and written communication skills Strong sense of accountability, organization skills, Record keeping skills and ability to prioritize multiple tasks (with strong attention to detail) Available to work full-time during the summer months (May-August) Proactive and solution-driven mindset Flexible and willing to support a variety of tasks for the Upstream Process Development team. Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected status prohibited under Federal, State or local laws. All employment decisions are based on valid job‐related requirements. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website, you may request a reasonable accommodation to express interest in a specific opening by calling us at (919) 561-6210 or sending us an email at careers@askbio.com. Agencies: Please do not contact any employee at AskBio about this requisition. Any resume submitted by a recruitment agency to any employee at AskBio, through any medium, will be deemed the sole property of AskBio unless the agency was engaged by AskBio Talent Acquisition team to recruit for that position. All agencies must have a prior executed service agreement with AskBio prior to any search engagement. If a candidate who was submitted outside of the AskBio agency process is hired by AskBio, no fee or payment of any kind will be paid to the agency. Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio) is a leading, clinical-stage gene therapy company founded in 2001 based on the work of adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy visionary and pioneer, Jude Samulski, PhD. Since that time, our commitment to developing life-saving medicines that can potentially cure genetic diseases has never wavered. At AskBio, we’ve built a foundation of therapeutic programs, AAV manufacturing and a rich portfolio of patented technology. Our therapeutic focus includes neuromuscular, central nervous system, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases with clinical trials underway for Pompe disease, Parkinson’s disease, and congestive heart failure. Our gene therapy platform includes Pro10™, an industry-leading proprietary cell line manufacturing process, and an extensive AAV capsid and promoter library. We became a wholly-owned, independently operated, subsidiary of Bayer AG in late 2020 as a cornerstone of its newly formed Cell & Gene Therapy (CGT) platform. Our global headquarters is in Research Triangle Park, NC. Additionally, we have significant operations in Philadelphia, PA, Columbus, OH, Scotland, France, and Spain.