Description
Ambrx is seeking a highly motivated, senior bioassay scientist to be a key member of the Translational Sciences (TS) team. The successful candidate will be primarily responsible for developing ELISA and cell-based assays for use as CMC potency assays, qualifying/validating potency assays at GMP CROs, and working with the broader CMC team to meet project deliverables.
This is a full time position based on La Jolla, California with a requirement to be on site.
Ambrx Biopharma, Inc. , a Johnson & Johnson company, is a clinical-stage biologics company focused on discovering and developing a novel class of specific and selective engineered precision biologics, using our proprietary platform technology that allows site-specific incorporation of synthetic amino acids (SAAs) into proteins within living cells. Our product candidates are designed to overcome the inherent limitations of conventional conjugation approaches that use non-site-specific conjugation, in order to optimize for safety and efficacy benefits across multiple therapeutic classes in broad therapeutic areas.
Qualifications
Principal Responsibilities

• Develop plate-based and cell-based potency methods for use in GMP testing and set stage-appropriate systems suitability and acceptance criteria.
• Lead CRO/CMOs to transfer and qualify/validate potency methods within bold timelines, ensure GMP batch release and stability samples are tested within specified time frames, maintain critical reagents, and quickly resolve any deviations or investigations.
• Track potency methods performance and identify key parameters for improvement; trend intermediate, drug substance, and drug product stability data; and estimate shelf-life or re-evaluation periods.
• Work with CMC team members to draft/review study protocols, change control documents, and specifications. Help set strategy for reference standard life cycle management and comparability studies.
• Attend weekly evening meetings (approx. 1 hour) with international CMO/CRO.
• Author development reports, memos, and relevant CMC sections for regulatory submissions.
• Interview GMP CROs, negotiate quotes, and perform on-site audits of CROs to evaluate technical capabilities.
• Represent bioassay function and effectively communicate progress or issues at CMC sub-team meetings.
• Perform non-GMP potency assays to support programs, as needed.
• Supervise junior scientists on the TS team.

Qualifications:

• PhD with 7-10 years experience (or MS with 12-15 years experience) in the CMC potency assay field is required
• Hands-on experience developing and optimizing CMC potency assays for method qualification or method validation at GMP CROs is required
• Demonstrated capability to quickly troubleshoot issues and identify solutions.
• Familiarity with PLA 3.0 software to perform equivalence testing.
• Previous experience using JMP for Design of Experiments to identify and optimize critical assay parameters, estimating shelf-life, determining method capability, and running statistical analyses.
• Successful track record of qualifying and validating CMC potency assays at GMP CROs and actively managing CROs to meet timelines and stay within budget.
• Deep knowledge of relevant ICH and USP chapters and industry best practices.
• Prior experience working with ADCs, bispecific molecules, and/or PEGylated proteins.
• Written CMC sections of regulatory filings (IND, annual reports, CMC amendments, etc.)
• Previous supervisory experience.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a goal-oriented, fast-paced, matrixed team environment.
• Attention-to-detail, organizational skills, and strong written and oral communication skills are required.
• Flexibility to contribute to other functional areas is desirable.

Pay Scale:
The pay scale for this position is: $143,000- $171,000 commensurate with experience. We believe this to be possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting, and we may modify this pay scale in the future.
At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at