Research Associate - Product Development

About Precision NanoSystems

Precision NanoSystems, part of the Danaher Life Sciences Platform, is a biotechnology company that creates innovative solutions for the discovery, development and manufacture of novel nanoparticles for use as medicines and in medical research. PNI’s proprietary NanoAssemblr microfluidics platform and GenVoy lipid nanoparticle delivery platform enable the rapid, reproducible, and scalable manufacture of next generation nanoparticle formulations for the targeted delivery of therapeutic and diagnostic agents to cells and tissues in the body. Our overall goal is to accelerate the creation of transformative medicines that significantly impact human well-being.

Position Summary

Precision NanoSystems has an opening for a Research Associate, Product Development to join our growing team in Vancouver, BC. The successful RA will become an expert in the formulation and characterization of nucleic acid lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). They will design and perform experiments to support a variety of new product development projects, contributing to the development of novel technologies such as GenVoy-ILM delivery reagents for genetic medicine applications. The successful candidate will have a diverse set of laboratory skills and be technically excellent, with attention to detail and a track record of successful research contributions.

Areas of Responsibility

• Perform lipid nanoparticle formulation and characterization experiments to support new product development projects and existing products

• Responsible for designing and performing experiments with input from supervisor

• Collect and analyze experimental data, present data at meetings, provide conclusions and outline future plans

• Troubleshoot experiments and identify abnormal or unexpected trends in data

• Support all technical documentation related to projects and product development

• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure successful project completion including providing support to Engineering, Product Management, Manufacturing, and Operations

• Provide technical support to staff and customers (product use, protocols) as needed

• Provide training on laboratory/product protocols to lab personnel as needed

• Set up, calibrate and perform routine maintenance on specialized laboratory equipment

• Ensure that the necessary laboratory supplies are available and perform tasks related to support operation of the laboratory

• May be required to perform other related duties as required and/or assigned

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelors or Masters degree in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g. chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, nanotechnology, materials science, biomedical engineering)

• At least 1 year hands-on lab experience in interdisciplinary research (inc. co-op)

• Experience working in the biotech industry would be highly advantageous

• Ability to independently design, conduct, analyze and troubleshoot experiments

• Experience developing nanoparticle formulations with a preference towards drug delivery applications

• An understanding of lipid and polymer chemistry would be an asset

• Experience in working with nucleic acids (e.g. plasmid DNA, messenger RNA, siRNA, CRISPR components) and proteins

• Experience with a broad range of analytical methods and characterization techniques including microscopy, HPLC, UV-VIS, DLS, zeta-potential and TEM

• Experience within vitro and in vivo biological assays including flow cytometry, western blot and ELISA would be an asset

• Experience with statistical analyses of experimental data is an asset

• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) both in one-on-one and in a group setting with the ability to organize and present technical summaries of scientific data

• The individual must be a team player who thrives in a dynamic environment with multiple tasks and aggressive deadlines

• Proven ability to apply critical and analytical thinking

• Must be a resourceful, proactive, detail-oriented individual who is able to work with minimum supervision

• Project management skills will be considered as an asset

When you join us, you’ll also be joining Danaher’s global organization, where 80,000 people wake up every day determined to help our customers win. As an associate, you’ll try new things, work hard, and advance your skills with guidance from dedicated leaders, all with the support of powerful Danaher Business System tools and the stability of a tested organization.

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