Scientist III, Recombinant Protein Process Development
Thermo Fisher Scientific · Cranbury · $83,300–$111,100 (stated in the posting)
Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)Environmental Conditions
Laboratory Setting, Office, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.)Job Description
At Thermo Fisher Scientific, our mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. With over $1 billion invested annually in R&D, our scientists help solve some of the world’s toughest challenges — from advancing cancer diagnostics to improving global water safety.
How you will make an impact
As a Scientist III within the Recombinant Proteins R&D team, you will provide technical leadership in the development and optimization of microbial fermentation and recombinant protein expression processes for cytokines, growth factors, and related proteins. The portfolio consists primarily of proteins produced in E. coli, with opportunities to support products derived from mammalian and insect-cell expression systems. You will improve established fermentation processes, troubleshoot complex expression and production challenges, and independently develop new upstream strategies to support product development and reliable manufacturing.
This hands-on laboratory role combines independent project ownership with scientific problem-solving and cross-functional collaboration. You will apply rigorous experimental design and data analysis to improve recombinant protein expression, yield, consistency, and process robustness. You will also work closely with downstream purification scientists to understand how fermentation conditions influence protein recovery, quality, biological activity, and overall process performance.
What you will do
- Design, execute, and evaluate small- to medium-scale E. coli fermentation experiments to develop and optimize recombinant protein production processes for cytokines, growth factors, and related proteins.
- Independently develop new fermentation strategies and optimize established processes, including media composition, feed strategies, induction conditions, temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and other critical process parameters.
- Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory-scale bioreactor systems and associated instrumentation, establishing appropriate operating conditions to support fermentation development, process characterization, and scale-up.
- Evaluate fermentation performance through appropriate measurements of cell growth, substrate utilization, recombinant protein expression, product yield, and other relevant process and product quality attributes.
- Collaborate with downstream purification scientists to evaluate how upstream process conditions affect cell harvest, protein recovery, solubility, impurity profiles, purification efficiency, and overall process performance.
- Perform or support protein recovery and purification activities, including cell disruption, clarification, inclusion-body isolation, and chromatographic purification, to enable integrated upstream and downstream process development.
- Design experiments, analyze and interpret data, identify root causes, and make scientifically sound recommendations that advance project objectives and improve process robustness.
- Maintain accurate and comprehensive laboratory records, prepare technical reports, and support the development of processes and documentation suitable for future Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) manufacturing.
- Communicate results through clear technical summaries, presentations, and discussions with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Product Management, Regulatory, and other cross-functional partners.
- Provide technical leadership within project teams, mentor less experienced scientists, and contribute to the evaluation and implementation of new technologies, methods, and workflows.
How you will get here
Education
Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, or a related life sciences discipline.
Experience
- Progressive experience in microbial fermentation, recombinant protein expression, and upstream process development: typically 7+ years with a Bachelor's degree, 5+ years with a Master's degree, or 0–2 years with a Ph.D.
- Demonstrated hands-on experience developing and optimizing E. coli fermentation processes using laboratory-scale bioreactors, including control of critical parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, feeding, and induction.
- Experience troubleshooting recombinant protein expression challenges and developing strategies to improve expression levels, product yield, protein solubility, and fermentation consistency.
- Experience designing fermentation experiments, evaluating process performance, and developing, optimizing, scaling, or transferring upstream production processes.
- Working knowledge of recombinant protein recovery and downstream purification principles, including cell disruption, clarification, inclusion-body recovery, and chromatographic purification.
- Experience using analytical techniques to evaluate recombinant protein expression and quality, including SDS-PAGE, protein quantification assays, and other appropriate biochemical or protein characterization methods.
- Experience planning experiments, analyzing data, troubleshooting processes, maintaining rigorous laboratory documentation, and communicating technical conclusions. Familiarity with GMP principles and documentation requirements is a plus.
- Experience with recombinant protein purification, automated chromatography systems, protein refolding, or integrated upstream and downstream process optimization is preferred.
Skills and attributes
- Strong scientific judgment and technical independence, with the ability to select, develop, and justify fermentation and recombinant protein expression strategies for challenging proteins.
- Demonstrated project ownership, including the ability to establish experimental priorities, manage competing objectives, and drive technical work toward completion.
- Excellent analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex fermentation and protein expression data, identify root causes, and make well-supported scientific recommendations.
- Understanding of the relationship between upstream process conditions, recombinant protein quality, downstream recovery, and overall manufacturing performance.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to scientific rigor, accurate documentation, data integrity, laboratory safety, and continuous improvement.
- Effective communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to present technical findings, work across functional teams, and mentor less experienced scientists.
About Thermo Fisher Scientific
Our global team of more than 100,000 colleagues delivers an unrivaled combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience, and pharmaceutical services through industry-leading brands including Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific, Unity Lab Services, and Patheon. For more information, please visit www.thermofisher.com.
Thermo Fisher Scientific is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range estimated for this position based in New Jersey is $83,300.00–$111,100.00.This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:
A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs
Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement
At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy
Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan
Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount
For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards
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