Sr Scientist, Analytical Ops

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Senior Scientist Automation PAT and AI; Analytical Development Method Development Automation and Digital Innovation

Reporting to the Principal Scientist Method Development and Automation Team

Job Overview:

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Scientistto join the Method Development and Automation team within Analytical Development. This high-impact role will help shape the next generation of automated process analytical technology (PAT)-enabled and AI-supported analytical workflows that improve throughput reproducibility data integrity operational efficiency infrastructure utilization and readiness for deployment across Process Development QC and Manufacturing environments. This is amultidisciplinary role applying the foundation of automation PAT and AI for building next-generation data-rich analytical workflows and digital infrastructure for cell therapy development and manufacturing readiness.

The successful candidate will lead the design and implementation of automated analytical methods integrated laboratory workflows and practical AI-enabled capabilities that streamline operations and improve infrastructure efficiency. This individual will work at the intersection of analytical science automation digital integration process understanding and AI-enabled workflow optimization to enable scalable compliant and data-rich testing strategies that support product development lifecycle management QC transfer operational decision-making and real-time or near-real-time process insight.

Why this role matters: This role offers the opportunity to build capabilities that directly influence how analytical methods are developed automated transferred sustained and digitally scaled. The successful candidate will help accelerate testing timelines improve data quality reduce manual variability strengthen infrastructure utilization identify AI-enabled operational efficiencies and advance analytical insights that support process monitoring control strategy and QC readiness.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead development optimization automation and lifecycle management of analytical workflows across plate-based culture-based molecular impurity and related assay formats.

• Translate manual and semi-manual methods into robust reproducible automated workflows using liquid handlers integrated systems instrument software and digital tools.

• Design and execute studies supporting method development robustness comparability verification validation QC transfer and lifecycle management.

• Evaluate implement and sustain automation platforms PAT tools instrument integrations consumables and enabling technologies that improve throughput reproducibility process monitoring and compliant execution.

• Advance fit-for-purpose PAT opportunities that enable rapid real-time in-line on-line or at-line measurements linked to critical quality attributes critical process parameters and key process decisions.

• Integrate automation and PAT outputs with LIMS ELN structured data systems instrument connectivity electronic batch records and advanced analytics platforms.

• Identify evaluate and implement practical AI-enabled opportunities that improve operational efficiency reduce manual or repetitive work enhance data accessibility streamline documentation or review workflows and strengthen laboratory infrastructure utilization.

• Partner with IT data science automation and laboratory stakeholders to define use cases data requirements governance expectations and adoption pathways for AI-supported workflows in analytical development and manufacturing-adjacent environments.

• Partner across Process Development MSAT QC Manufacturing Attribute Sciences and Analytical Lifecycle Management to align automation and PAT strategies with control strategy GMP readiness sampling strategy and transfer expectations.

• Author review and present technical documentation data packages recommendations and project updates in support of compliant execution investigations change controls and technology transfer.

• Serve as a subject matter expert and mentor helping build scalable automation PAT AI digital and analytical technology capabilities across teams.

• Hands-on experience developing optimizing automating or transferring analytical methods in a regulated or quality-focused biopharmaceutical cell therapy gene therapy biologics or complex therapeutic setting.

• Experience with laboratory automation liquid handling systems integrated analytical instruments assay workflow optimization or comparable enabling technologies.

• Experience identifying or implementing AI advanced analytics workflow automation data integration or digital infrastructure solutions that improve operational efficiency laboratory productivity or decision support.

• Working knowledge of analytical method development experimental design data analysis troubleshooting technical documentation GMP expectations and data integrity principles.

• Strong communication collaboration prioritization and problem-solving skills with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional and fast-paced environments.

Basic Qualifications:

• PhD with 2 years elevant experience in analytical development method development method automation bioassay development or a related biopharmaceutical laboratory environment.

OR

• MS with 6 years elevant experience in analytical development method development method automation bioassay development or a related biopharmaceutical laboratory environment.

OR

• BS with 8 years of relevant experience in analytical development method development method automation bioassay development or a related biopharmaceutical laboratory environment.

Career Growth Opportunities:

• Build visible expertise at the intersection of analytical development automation PAT AI digital integration and process understanding.

• Shape automation PAT and AI strategies that influence method development QC transfer manufacturing readiness operational efficiency infrastructure utilization and lifecycle management.

• Partner with cross-functional leaders to drive high-impact technology evaluations AI-enabled workflow improvements capability building and data-driven process monitoring approaches.

• Grow as a technical subject matter expert mentor and strategic contributor within Analytical Development and broader CMC networks.

Preferred Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will bring strong scientific judgment hands-on automation expertise curiosity for emerging analytical technologies and AI-enabled operational tools and the ability to influence in a fast-paced matrixed environment.

• Experience developing optimizing automating and deploying analytical methods in biopharma cell therapy gene therapy biologics or other complex therapeutic environments.

• Hands-on expertise with liquid handling and automation platforms such as Hamilton TECAN Biomek Integra or comparable systems.

• Experience with high-throughput assays and analytical method lifecycle activities including robustness comparability verification validation QC transfer and lifecycle management.

• Experience with PAT digital laboratory integration AI-enabled workflow optimization LIMS ELN structured data systems instrument connectivity electronic batch records or advanced analytics platforms.

• Experience with data-rich experimentation design of experiments multivariate analysis chemometrics advanced analytics automation scripting Python machine learning AI-assisted data interpretation or comparable tools.

• Demonstrated interest or experience in applying AI to operational workflows laboratory infrastructure planning data accessibility knowledge management documentation efficiency or cross-system process improvement.

• Working knowledge of GMP ALCOA 21 CFR Part 11 expectations ICH guidance regulated documentation change control deviation investigation and transfer practices.

• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives influence technical direction mentor scientists or end users and build sustainable automation PAT AI or analytical technology capabilities.

The salary range for this position is: $153935.00 - $199210.00. Kite considers a variety of factors when determining base compensation including experience qualifications and geographic location. These considerations mean actual compensation will vary. This position may also be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus discretionary stock-based long-term incentives (eligibility may vary based on role) paid time off and a benefits package. Benefits include company-sponsored medical dental vision and life insurance plans*.

For additional benefits information visit:

Eligible employees may participate in benefit plans subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.

Kite is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of innovative cancer immunotherapies with a goal of providing rapid long-term durable response and eliminating the burden of chronic care. The company is focused on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and T cell receptor (TCR) engineered cell therapies designed to empower the immune systems ability to recognize and kill tumors. Kite is based in Santa Monica CA. For more information on Kite please visit . Sign up to follow @KitePharma on Twitter at jobs in the United States:

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