Post Doctoral Fellow: Mammalian Cell Engineering for Complex Biologics Expression
Description
Discovery organization to investigate the molecular and cellular determinants governing the expression and manufacturability of complex therapeutic proteins. This role focuses on advancing mechanistic understanding of difficult-to-express biologic modalities including multispecific antibodies and advanced protein formats and translating these insights into improved expression platforms and scalable solutions.
This position offers a unique opportunity to conduct fundamental, mechanism-driven research that directly informs biologic design, production, and platform development, bridging discovery science with applied biotherapeutics innovation. This is a fixed term postdoctoral position.
As a Postdoctoral Fellow, you will be responsible for conducting independent research under the direct guidance of an experienced Principal Investigator and further supported by a team of experts committed to your success. You will interact with a diverse range of individuals (including mentors, fellow researchers, students, and collaborators from various institutions), and help to foster a collaborative research environment that facilitates exchange of knowledge and ideas. Your research will be focused on fundamental scientific questions and new methodologies that align with the goals of the department and contribute to Boehringer-Ingelheim’s innovative and growing pipeline. You will be expected to present your work to internal leadership and, ultimately, publish your findings in leading journals within the field. Postdoctoral Fellowships are three-year positions, with a potential one-year extension.
As an employee of Boehringer Ingelheim, you will actively contribute to the discovery, development, and delivery of our products to our patients and customers. Our global presence provides an opportunity for all employees to collaborate internationally, offering visibility and the opportunity to directly contribute to the company's success. We realize that our strength and competitive advantage lie with our people. We support our employees in several ways to foster a healthy working environment, meaningful work, mobility, networking, and work-life balance. Our competitive compensation and benefit programs reflect Boehringer Ingelheim's high regard for our employees.
Duties & Responsibilities
With support from their advisor and team, the ideal candidate is expected to:
• Elucidate molecular and cellular mechanisms driving low or variable expression of complex biotherapeutic protein formats, including effects on folding, secretion, stability, aggregation, and product quality.
• Investigate protein quality and aggregation pathways that limit expression robustness and manufacturability, integrating cellular stress responses with product attributes.
• Characterize secretory pathway differences between HEK293 and CHO cells, including ER chaperones, folding enzymes, cargo receptors, and trafficking machinery relevant to complex biologic formats.
• Genetically modify and engineer Mammalian cells (e.g., targeted modulation of secretory pathway components) to improve titer and/or product quality of difficult to express biologic modalities, delivering engineered host cell solutions as a key outcome.
• Assess additional determinants of expression efficiency, including codon usage, mRNA stability, translational dynamics, and post translational processing, and integrate these with host cell engineering strategies.
• Translate mechanistic insights into platform level improvements, collaborating with upstream and downstream partners to define expression design guidelines, scalable solutions, and disseminate findings through presentations and publications.
Requirements
• Ph.D. degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Bioengineering or related discipline, with a preference of no more than three (3) years of previous Post Doctoral experience.
• Extensive experience in area of scientific expertise.
• Ability to think and plan strategically as well as tactically.
• Creativity and innovation in driving cutting-edge research with a strong publication record.
• Ability to independently conduct a research project and effectively communicate We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Scientist to join the Biotherapeutics the results.
• Experience in data analysis.
• Ability to optimize and develop assays/techniques, as well as leverage new technology opportunities to address scientific questions.
• Exceptional writing, presentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to comply with all applicable regulators, performing all work in a safe manner; maintain proper records in accordance with SOP's and policies.
Desired Skills, Experience and Abilities
• Strong background in protein expression, secretion pathways, protein quality control, or host cell biology.
• Hands-on experience with mammalian expression systems, particularly CHO and/or HEK293 cells, is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated expertise in molecular cloning, mammalian cell culture, cell engineering, and protein analytics.
• Ability to design and interpret mechanistic experiments integrating cell biology, protein biochemistry, and expression engineering.
Eligibility Requirements:
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.
• Must be willing to take a drug test and post-offer physical (if required).
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
Compensation Data
This position offers a salary of $80,000. For an overview of our benefits please click here.