Research Associate I - D-Map

Job Title: Research Associate I

Overtime Status: Non-Exempt

Employment Status: Full-Time

Pay Range: $27.00 - $34.00 /Hr

The hiring pay range for this position is $27.00 - $34.00 per hour based on skills, education, and experience relevant to this role.

Inventprise is a mission-driven bio-pharmaceutical company addressing global health inequalities by empowering people to live healthy lives. We do this by developing novel vaccines targeting infectious diseases for which there are no current preventive interventions or by optimizing currently marketed vaccines to provide a broader spectrum of protection, making them cheaper and more stable than before. We aspire to provide breakthrough public health interventions for all populations, globally. Inventprise is led by pioneers in vaccine discovery, seasoned experts in manufacturing and vaccine development, and proven commercialization veterans.  

At Inventprise, we believe our people are our most valuable asset. We are strongly committed to a range of workplace programs that support the well-being, growth, and engagement of our employees and our business. What we offer:

Benefits:

Effective the first of the month following the date of hire, employees are eligible to participate in the following Inventprise employee benefit programs:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA, or HSA:  Currently Inventprise contributes 80% toward the Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage for the employee, and enrolled spouse and dependents.  Medical plans are currently provided through Premera Blue Cross.
• 401(k) program: Inventprise contributes 3% of employee base pay each pay period to their 401(k) account. Employee contributions are at the discretion of the employee.
• Paid Time Off: Employees start PTO accruals at the rate of 5.83 hours each pay period - annualized equivalent of 140 hours/year.
• Paid Holidays: Inventprise offers 7 paid holidays each year: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
• Stock & Bonus Plans: Employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s Bonus and Stock Award Plans.

Summary of Job Responsibilities: 

• Perform viral vaccine research and development.
• Plan, organize, and execute experiments, according to high scientific standards, under minimal supervision following GLP and GMP guidelines.
• Work independently or in a team to perform, troubleshoot, evaluate, and propose experiments.
• Maintain accurate and detailed laboratory notebook and documentation according to regulatory guidelines.
• Periodically present results and summarize progress to team members.
• Perform analytical testing of viral vaccine candidates in accordance with approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), specifications, and procedures, and maintain accurate documentation of all the tests performed.
• Review, modify and develop SOPs.
• Perform equipment set-up, daily operations, and maintenance.
• Work independently or in a team to perform, troubleshoot, evaluate, and propose experiments.
• Intellectually contribute to main goals by staying current with scientific literature and state-of-the-art methodology.
• Effectively prioritize tasks to meet goals and drive project to completion according to timelines.
• Complete other duties as assigned by supervisor(s).

Essential Functions: 

• Preparation of Dissolvable Microneedle Array Patch (D-MAP) formulation development with the final objective of obtaining a stable and efficient formulation for viral samples.
• Perform stability studies of D-MAPs following WHO and ICH guidelines
• Operation and maintenance of vacuum heated oven, liquid dispense and robotic arm for D-MAP production.
• Aseptic handling and maintenance of mammalian cell cultures in BSL-2 environment.
• Tissue culture media preparation, cryo-preservation, revival, and banking of cell lines.
• Perform cell-based assay for the evaluation of viral titers using TCID50, FFA, and/or Celigo fluorescence cytometer plate reader.
• Work with other cross-functional teams to facilitate formulation development, analytical testing, and preclinical evaluation of microneedle-based vaccines
• Adhere to applicable training requirements, as per Inventprise training policy (including formal GMP training).
• Adhere to applicable safety requirements, as per Inventprise safety procedures.
• Adhere to applicable employee conduct criteria, as per Inventprise Human Resources Manual.
• Capable of efficiently and effectively using computer-based technology to accomplish workflows.

Educational Pre-requisites:

Bachelor’s Degree with 0- 3 years of experience,

Physical Demands:

·         Adequate visual and mental acuity to maintain prolonged use of computer and laboratory work.

·         Multiple hours of standing, sitting, or walking when performing laboratory work. It may require hours in front of computer workstation.

·         Ability to travel between sites by own car, if needed to support workflows.

·         On-site availability daily, between the hours of 8:30 am and 5:00 pm.

Mental Demands:

·         Requires operational discipline to consistently focus and execute work-related tasks, with a minimum of human error. This involves self-checking of work immediately upon completion, the ability to find / correct errors (with oversight by the Supervisor).

·         Self-directing, once training is successfully completed, but with need to immediately elevate potential concerns/discrepancies to management in a timely fashion.

·         Must maintain a professional demeanor in communicating with all Inventprise personnel.

Working Conditions:

·         This position is substantially performed in a laboratory work setting with some office environment setting. On occasions, it will require heavy lifting, access the warehouse, laboratories or manufacturing environments.

Inventprise is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, gender, identity, sexual orientation, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.