Cell Line Development Scientist

Gaithersburg · Axle Informatics LLC · USD 100,000-110,000 · Posted Oct 14, 2026

At a glance

The Cell Line Development Scientist will support the planning and execution of research experiments within the laboratory’s overall research program at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
This position focuses on developing stable cell lines for vaccine and therapeutic protein candidates, including monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, and virus-like particles.
The role covers the full cell line development process, from plasmid preparation and transfection through clone selection, fed-batch analysis, and stability studies.

Contribute to the development of stable cell lines for vaccine and therapeutic protein candidates, including monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, and virus-like particles.
Independently execute each step of the cell line development process: transfection, pool generation, single-cell cloning, clone expansion in static culture plates and shake flasks, fed-batch analysis, and clone stability studies.
Participate in cell line development platform design, optimization, and cycle-time reduction studies, including methods for clone selection, expansion, ranking, and characterization.
Generate stable pools and perform transient protein production to supply reagent-grade material.
Maintain, support, and track maintenance for core laboratory equipment, including the ViCell BLU cell counters used on all cell line development projects to count cells during passaging and fed-batch production.
Prepare plasmid DNA using standard molecular cloning techniques, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR), restriction digest, and bacterial culture.
Use automated platforms for clone selection and screening.
Perform small-scale process development studies using various culture vessels, including tissue culture plates, shake flasks, and small-scale bioreactors.
Write and review standard operating procedures (SOPs) for cell line development processes and instrumentation.
Evaluate, analyze, and interpret research data, and communicate results and methods in reports, presentations, and manuscripts.

Master of Science (M.S.) in Biological Science or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biological Sciences
Monoclonal antibody and/or vaccine production
Technical reports, standard operating procedures, and data presentations
Cell line engineering technologies, including cell counting, high-throughput transfection, single-cell cloning, and flow cytometry
Aseptic technique and mammalian cell culture
Broad knowledge of state-of-the-art principles and theory

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