Job Posting Covance’s Biotechnology Division, situated in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, is expanding and is looking to add additional Experimental Officers to help support the expanding group in Biopotency, Biosafety, and Protein Chemistry areas. There are excellent opportunities at all levels - from entry-level graduates to PhDs or those with years of experience. Successful candidates will be part of our exciting and expanding future, working with progressive management, inventive technologies and alongside other talented scientists. Some examples of skills needed in the various groups include: HPLC, PCR, Cell Culture, ELISA, Flow Cytometry, or Capillary Electrophoresis. Those with GMP and GLP experience are highly sought.
Experimental Officers are laboratory based analysts who are responsible for performing a wide variety of assays within a regulatory compliant laboratory. Due to the varied nature of the scientific work involved, candidates must be able to demonstrate a flexible approach to laboratory work, possess excellent communication and time management skills and be able to maintain a high standard of record keeping.
There are multiple areas focusing on various scientific disciplines:
Biosafety Testing
Focused on ensuring the safety of biological products from human and animal viral contaminants during the drug manufacturing process.
- Virology - perform a wide variety of assays such as in-vivo and in-vitro screening, haemadsorption/ haemaggluttination, mycoplasma testing, plaque and TCID50 assays; in addition to viral clearance/ process validation studies.
- Molecular biology - techniques include extraction of nucleic acids from a variety of biological matrices and analysis by PCR/ QPCR, gel electrophoresis, QF-PERT and genetic sequencing.
Experience of cell culture work coupled with a good background in aseptic technique whilst working in a Class II facility would be advantageous.
Biopotency
Focused on the assessment of the biological activity of large molecules using cell-based assays. The accurate determination of the potency of a drug is necessary to approve manufactured batches of the drug, assess stability (shelf life) and evaluate the impact of changes in manufacturing process or in formulation. Cell-based assays are also used as part of the immunogenicity assessment of the drug to detect the presence of neutralising anti-drug antibodies in toxicology and clinical trials.
- A wide variety of cellular, biochemical and ligand/ receptor binding assays are used. The endpoint determinations of these assays include, but are not limited to; Fluorescence, Luminescence, ELISA, Flow cytometry, electrochemiluminescence (MSD) and FRET.
Experience of cell culture work coupled with a good background in aseptic technique whilst working in a Class II facility would be advantageous.
Protein Chemistry
Focused on providing analytical support for the characterisation and stability assessment of large protein molecules. The accurate characterisation of a drug is necessary to approve manufactured batches of the drug, assess stability (shelf life) and evaluate the impact of changes in manufacturing process or in formulation.
- A wide variety of analytical techniques are used such as: SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, Isoelectric focusing, Capillary electrophoresis, HPLC, spectrophotometry, ELISA, amino-acid analysis, peptide mapping, and Glycosylation analysis
About You
- Candidates will be considered from a range of backgrounds; Bachelors/Masters degree, Ph.D or those with industrial experience would be considered appropriate for the position.
- A sound working knowledge of ‘Good Laboratory Practice’ and ‘Good Manufacturing Practice’ would be advantageous.
- Experienced individuals would be expected to support a more technical orientated or management focussed role.
- There are excellent promotion prospects and positions are available at all levels depending on qualifications and experience.
Covance is committed to diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. (M/F/D/V). Your confidentiality and privacy are important to us. Education/Qualifications See above Experience See above EEO Employer Covance is committed to diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. (M/F/D/V). Your confidentiality and privacy are important to us.
Covance -
11 months ago
