Associate Scientist Nucleic Acid Sequencing

**Site Name**: Belgium-Rixensart
**Posted Date**: Oct 29 2024
- Analytical Development Department (Belgium) - _**_Associate_**_ _**_Scientist Molecular Analytics Platform DNA/mRNA Next Generation Sequencing_**
- Are you looking for a role in Molecular Biology/Nucleic-Acid-based Technologies (NAT) that enhances your scientific expertise and allows you to develop innovative analytical methods thereby contributing to the production of best-in-class medicines, including mRNA-based vaccines? If so, this Associate Scientist role could be an ideal opportunity to explore._

**Your responsibilities**:
Execute mRNA sequencing experiments:

- Work on the bench in the labs (> 60%)
- Plan and execute mRNA sequencing experiments using methods based on Illumina and Oxford Nanopore technologies.
- Execute analytical methods for the characterization of mRNA and plasmid DNA
- Execute analytical sequencing methods for the release of Phase I, II and III clinical lots
- Analyze and interpretate data, including reporting and presentation
- Write scientific reports
- Ensure that SOP are applied and respected
- Ensure that security rules are followed
- Comply with your training matrix

Contribute to method development, qualification and validation:

- Ensure the development and the deployment of new nucleic acid sequencing protocols for the sequencing of plasmid DNA, genomic DNA, direct sequencing of mRNA based on Illumina and Oxford Nanopore technologies.
- In particular, contribute to the development of analytical methods for mRNA identity, purity, integrity and content
- Ensure implementation of QbD (Quality by design) in the development of assays
- Develop detailed experimentation protocols
- Contribute to the qualification, validation and transfer of innovative genetic characterization assays/technologies based on state-of-the-art NAT

Collaborate across teams:

- Interact with Belgium
- and US-based team members
- Interact and act in a complex matrix with several stakeholders from different departments (Research, Development, QC, RA, QA)
- Interact with other GSK Vaccines Research and Development Centers (US and IT) and external partners

Laboratory support:

- Contribute to the various activities of the group, including laboratory organization and compliance and analytical instruments installation, validation and maintenance
- Agile principles driven

**_ Why you?_**

**Basic Qualifications**:

- We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals:_
- Master degree in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology or Bioengineering with 2 to 5 years of experience in the industry (in biologics / biopharmaceuticals / pharmaceutics) or equivalent by experience
- Specific knowledge (mandatory): deep knowledge and routine use of at least one of the state-of-the-art Next Generation Sequencing technologies (Oxford Nanopore Technologies mandatory)
- Deep knowledge of bioinformatics is a plus
- Experience in a lab environment focusing on analytics of biomolecules
- Languages: French and/or English
- Good writing skills and fluent in French and English
- Good organizational skills
- Teamwork
- Positive, open and can-do mindset.
- Ability to conduct literature and online research, continuous search of new methods
- Identification of critical method parameters and plan to evaluate them

**Preferred Qualifications**:

- If you have the following characteristics it would be a plus:_
- Good writing and presentation skills
- Good communicator
- Attention for details, eager to learn and driven by curiosity
- Nucleic acid extraction and electrophoresis
- Molecular Biology techniques (including sequencing, Southern blot, restrictions, reverse transcription, in vitro transcription, electrophoresis, etc.)
- GMP basics is a plus

If you have a disability and require assistance during the course of the selection process, you will have the opportunity to let us know what specific assistance you require in order to make suitable arrangements.

**Why GSK?**

**Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.**

GSK is a global biopharma company with a special purpose - to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together - so we can positively impact the health of billions of people and deliver stronger, more sustainable shareholder returns - as an organisation where people can thrive. We prevent and treat disease with vaccines, specialty and general medicines. We focus on the science of the immune system and the use of new platform and data technologies, investing in four core therapeutic areas (infectious diseases, HIV, respiratory/ immunology and oncology).

Our success absolutely depends on our people. While getting ahead of disease together is about our ambition for patients and shareholders, it’s also about making GSK a place where people can thrive. We want GSK to be a place where people feel inspired, encouraged and challenged to be the best they can be. A place where they can be t