Band 8a Head of PD Vectorology

Job summary

An excellent opportunity has presented itself at the Centre For Cell, Gene and Tissue Therapeutics at the Royal Free Hospital. We are one of the most productive academic units of it's kind in the UK, manufacturing ATMPs across from spectrum from CAR-Ts to hESCs for early stage clinical trials supplying the UK, the EU and US.

This is a newly created postdoctoral position within the Centre for Cell, Gene & Tissue Therapeutics. The post holder will be responsible for establishing a process development team that will support a GMP-compliant lentiviral manufacturing process. They will design and implement novel intermediate scale lentiviral manufacturing techniques in suspension cell bioreactors.

The post holder will also develop new downstream purificiation and packaging systems for the delivery of GMP-compliant lentiviral vectors to the cell manufacturing teams in the CCGTT.

The post requires exceptional attention to detail and the ability to work in a systematic manner whilst keeping detailed records and managing junior staff.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for leading the process development of the lentiviral vector manufacturing process.

The post will require interaction with the manufacturing and quality assurance team. Technical expertise in the in vitro culture of suspension cells and a sound knowledge of downstream processing are pre-requisites as is the ability to communicate ideas and practical skills to co-workers both at the bench and in formal presentations.

The post holder will be responsible for providing advice and expertise on the design and supply of vectors for clinical trials of gene-modified somatic cells (e.g. CAR-T) to other teams within and outside the Trust.

The post holder will be responsible for ensuring that the vector process is suitable to be translated for a production process.

The post holder will act as the line manager for junior RFH employees tasked with duties within the viral vector laboratories.

The post holder will support the Director in staff appraisals and in management of staff performance and complaints.

The post holder will assist the Director in costing the CCGTT viral vector activities, identifying academic and commercial partners and managing academic and commercial manufacturing contracts; including initiating invoicing for activities.

About us

Royal Free World Class Values

The post holder will offer World Class Care to service users, staff, colleagues, clients and patients alike so that everyone at the Royal Free can feel:

• Welcome all of the time
• Conident becuase we are clearly communicating
• Respected and cared for
• Reassured that they are always in safe hands