Senior Scientist Job Listing at Kelly Services in Houston, TX (Job ID US3598467_BH9953956)

Description

Senior Scientist – Houston, TX

Kelly Science & Clinical is currently seeking a Senior Scientist for a biopharma/biotech company in Southwest Houston. The Senior Scientist will support our client's viral vector platform with a focus on late-stage development, process characterization, and recombinant AAV vector preparation for preclinical studies, toxicology batches, reference material, and clinical products.

This role will involve routine cell culture, production in small- to mid-scale bioreactors, filtration, and cross-collaborative support with downstream and manufacturing teams. The ideal candidate will bring expertise in AAV gene therapy, upstream process development, and a strong understanding of cGMP guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Independently perform routine suspension cell culture (sampling, cell counting, passaging)
• Independently maintain and manage upstream lab equipment
• Lead unit operations for viral vector production across development, toxicology, and GMP batches (shake flasks, rockers, 2L, 10L, and 50L bioreactors)
• Support upstream technology strategies from development stage through tech transfer, engineering runs, and GMP manufacturing
• Ensure adequate inventory and collaborate with supply chain for materials procurement
• Draft, edit, and review data capture forms, batch records, SOPs, and standard work elements for upstream equipment and operations
• Maintain responsible laboratory practices, including GDP-compliant documentation, notebooks, and data capture
• Collaborate with pre-clinical, analytical development, quality control, and manufacturing teams to align on project timelines

Qualifications
Education

• Minimum: B.S. in Biological Science, Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering

Required Experience & Skills

• Expertise in AAV gene therapy and upstream bioprocessing
• Proficiency in suspension cell culture techniques, aseptic practices, and operation of biosafety cabinets, incubators, shakers, and centrifugation equipment
• Experience in media preparation, monitoring, sampling, and analysis of cell culture growth and expansion
• Hands-on experience with shake flasks and small-scale bioreactors in a process development setting
• Strong skills in MS Office, Excel, and basic cell kinetics analysis (growth curves, doubling times, viability)

Preferred Skills

• Large-scale bioreactor and pilot-scale filtration experience
• Familiarity with GMP operations, SOP drafting, and documentation standards
• Experience in AAV bioprocessing, capsid engineering, or cell line development
• MFCS/SCADA software knowledge is a plus
• Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, and critical thinking abilities
• Demonstrated ability to manage time effectively, meet project deadlines, and thrive in a collaborative PD/GMP environment

Attributes

• Deep understanding of late-stage process development and regulatory requirements
• Self-starter with high energy, initiative, and the ability to instill urgency and pace into projects
• Passionate, collaborative, and creative, with a focus on advancing transformative gene therapies for patients and their families

Job Details

• Direct Hire
• Monday–Friday, Day Shift
• Location: Southwest Houston
• Compensation: Salary dependent upon education and experience

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.

Why Kelly® Science & Clinical?

Kelly Science & Clinical is your connection to premier scientific and clinical companies looking to hire industry experts just like you. Our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world's most critical challenges. Every day, we match science professionals with dream jobs that fit their skills, interests, and career goals—it's the way we think job searching should be. Nearly 100 percent of our science recruiters have a professional background and education in science, so we know a thing or two about the science market and how to get your expertise noticed.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we're obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it's about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It's the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It's the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life—just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California's state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

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