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Senior Scientist

Avantor


Job Location:

Bridgewater, NJ - USA

Monthly Salary: $ 107500 - 173075
Posted: 22 August 2026 (12 days ago)
Application Deadline: 19 November 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

The Opportunity:

Avantor is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Scientist with a strong background in mRNA Technology & Process Development to lead and support process development initiatives and manufacturing operations for excipients and reagents.

What Were Looking For

  • Ph.D. in Molecular Biology Biochemistry Bioengineering Chemical/Biochemical Engineering Pharmaceutical Sciences Biotechnology or a related field (required).

  • Minimum of 5 years of relevant industry experience in mRNA RNA nucleic acid biologics or pharmaceutical process development. Doctoral or relevant academic experience may be considered equivalent to industry experience.

  • Strong understanding of mRNA process development including DNA template generation in vitro transcription (IVT) enzymatic processing purification and analytical characterization.

  • Hands-on experience with nucleic acid process development molecular biology techniques and scalable manufacturing processes.

  • Knowledge of process development principles including DOE QbD process characterization scale-up risk assessment and CPP/CQA relationships.

  • Experience troubleshooting complex technical challenges interpreting multidisciplinary data and developing data-driven solutions.

  • Excellent technical writing presentation project leadership and cross-functional communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

  • End-to-end mRNA development experience from DNA template preparation through purified mRNA and formulation interface.

  • Experience with IVT capping/polyadenylation chromatography TFF/UF-DF process scale-up technology transfer or GMP manufacturing support.

  • Familiarity with high-throughput automation continuous manufacturing process intensification PAT or advanced manufacturing technologies.

  • Experience with mRNA analytical techniques such as HPLC/UPLC LC-MS CE qPCR/ddPCR Bioanalyzer/TapeStation sequencing or impurity analysis.

  • Experience applying DOE QbD JMP Minitab Python R or related statistical and data-analysis tools.

  • Exposure to GMP/GLP environments regulatory documentation method qualification validation or technology transfer activities.

  • Experience evaluating emerging technologies vendors CDMOs external collaborations or technical due diligence opportunities.

How You Will Thrive and Create an Impact:

Process Development

  • Design develop and optimize end-to-end mRNA manufacturing processes including DNA template generation IVT enzymatic processing purification buffer exchange and formulation interfaces.

  • Develop robust and scalable workflows to improve mRNA yield purity quality process robustness and manufacturability.

  • Apply DOE QbD risk assessment and statistical tools to build process understanding and establish relationships between process parameters and product quality attributes.

  • Collaborate with Analytical Development to characterize mRNA identity integrity purity potency-related attributes and process impurities.

  • Troubleshoot process and product-quality challenges using scientific and data-driven approaches including root cause analysis and risk mitigation.

  • Author technical reports development summaries risk assessments SOPs study protocols and regulatory-support documentation.

  • Evaluate and demonstrate emerging technologies including synthetic DNA novel purification approaches automation process intensification and continuous manufacturing concepts.

Development Support

  • Support process characterization control strategy development and implementation of CPPs CQAs in-process controls and process monitoring strategies.

  • Collaborate with manufacturing quality analytical formulation and regulatory teams to ensure successful process transfer and commercial readiness.

  • Participate in deviation investigations change controls root cause analyses and continuous improvement initiatives.

  • Support GMP documentation activities including batch records SOPs process transfer packages and validation-related documentation.

  • Assess external technologies vendors CDMOs and strategic collaboration opportunities through proof-of-concept studies technical due diligence and workflow integration assessments.

  • Present technical findings recommendations and development strategies to project teams cross-functional stakeholders and senior leadership.

  • Mentor junior scientists and contribute to a culture of scientific excellence innovation safety and operational rigor.

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Why Avantor

Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14000 associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science.

The work we do changes peoples lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his moms voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor.

We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world. Apply today!

Pay Transparency:

The expected pre-tax pay for this position is

$107500.00 - $173075.00

Actual pay may differ depending on relevant factors such as prior experience and geographic location.

EEO Statement:

We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex gender identity sexual orientation race color religious creed national origin physical or mental disability protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal state/province or local law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process please contact us by email at and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

For more information about equal employment opportunity protections please view the Know Your Rights poster.

Privacy Policy:

We will use the personal information that you have submitted to us in order to consider your application for the relevant role.

Your privacy is important to us. Please click here for our Privacy Policy which explains the purposes for which we will use your personal information and the ways in which we will handle and retain your information. It also explains the rights you have in relation to your information and how to contact us with any queries or requests.

3rd Party Non-Solicitation Policy:

By submitting candidates without having been formally assigned on and contracted for a specific job requisition by Avantor or by failing to comply with the Avantor recruitment process you forfeit any fee on the submitted candidates regardless of your usual terms and conditions. Avantor works with a preferred supplier list and will take the initiative to engage with recruitment agencies based on its needs and will not be accepting any form of solicitation.

Avantor offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical dental and vision coverage wellness programs health savings and flexible spending accounts a 401(k) plan with company match and an employee stock purchase program. Employees also receive 11 paid holidays accrue 18 PTO days annually are eligible for volunteer time off and 6 weeks of 100% paid parental leave (except in states that offer paid family leave). These benefits may not apply to employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement or those subject to other eligibility rules.


Required Experience:

Senior IC