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Kernal Biologics

Vice President of Chemistry Manufacturing and Controls (VP of CMC)

Kernal Biologics, Boston, Massachusetts, us, 02298

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Vice President of Chemistry Manufacturing and Controls (VP of CMC)

About Kernal Biologics, Inc.

Kernal Bio is a venture-backed therapeutics company engineering cells inside the body using AI-designed, selective mRNA and targeted LNP technology. By developing in vivo CAR-T therapies, Kernal Bio is advancing precision treatments for autoimmune diseases and blood cancers. The company was founded by experts from MIT, Harvard, Merck, and BMS, and its leadership team brings a track record of three FDA-approved therapies and over 120 patents. With support from leading investors, including Hummingbird Ventures, Amgen Ventures, Y Combinator, and HBM, Kernal Bio is transforming the future of cell therapy design and delivery. Job Summary Kernal Bio is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Vice President of Chemistry Manufacturing and Controls (VP of CMC) or Director of Process Development with expertise in mRNA manufacturing to contribute to the development of its mRNA 2.0 platform for therapeutic applications. The successful candidate will inspire and lead a team responsible for the manufacturing, process development, and analytical development of mRNA LNP therapeutics. Proficiency in mRNA LNP chemistry and biology workflows, coupled with experience in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) mRNA LNP manufacturing, is essential for this role.

Lead the CMC team and guide the company\'s drug substance and drug product manufacturing strategy

Work with senior management to expand the company\'s CMC team

Stay up-to-date on pertinent literature and prepare technical reports and white papers for internal use

Oversee the synthesis and purification routine mRNA LNP products for preclinical studies

Establish and optimize the company\'s mRNA IVT manufacturing scale-up capability

Help develop scalable strategies for downstream product purification

Carry out process development studies using the design-of-experiments (DOE) approach

Oversee routine analytical and bioanalytical tasks such as HPLC, qPCR, ELISA, fragment analysis, cell-based assays, fluorescence, and flow cytometry

Coordinate in vivo studies in rodents for quality validation

Collaborate with the R&D teams and support experiments on Kernal Bio\'s R&D pipeline

Assist in I.P. filings and manuscript preparations

Select and manage CROs and CDMOs (with some travel if/when needed)

Oversee GMP manufacturing campaigns

Collaborate with academic partners for external preclinical studies

Prepare CMC sections for regulatory filings

Oversee COGS reduction strategy for in vivo CAR-T product

Present scientific findings internally and externally at critical scientific conferences and industry events

Analyze, summarize, and present experimental results to team members and management

Contribute to technical discussions and intellectual property related to Kernal\'s proprietary technologies

Explore new technologies and methods to optimize current processes in a fast-paced research environment

Maintain up-to-date records and communicate results to team members in written technical reports and oral presentations

Participate in experimental design and troubleshooting efforts

Interpret, summarize experimental data and maintain excellent laboratory notebooks

Requirements:

PhD/MS/BS in Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Molecular Biology, or a similar field

10 years of industry experience in CMC field with 5 years of academic or industry experience in nucleic acid and/or lipid nanoparticle manufacturing

Attention to detail, ability to multi-task, and trouble-shoot

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Excellent record keeping and data management skills

The ideal candidate is adaptable, enthusiastic about new challenges, has an innate curiosity, and a passion for learning

Experience working in fast-paced startup environments

Excellent organization skills, approaching tasks with efficiency

Ability to analyze, summarize, and communicate scientific data

Ability to work independently while effectively interacting and collaborating in a team environment

Preferred: Experience with targeted lipid nanoparticles

Preferred: Experience with automation

Preferred: Prior mammalian cell culture experience

Preferred: Familiarity with nucleic acid purification and chemistry, enzyme kinetics, and analytical characterization of biomolecules

Preferred: Experience with analytical techniques HPLC/UPLC, FPLC, MALDI-TOF MS, LC-MS/MS, NMR

Preferred: Experience with bioprocess engineering principles, process modeling, and Design of Experiment (DoE) statistical tools and GMP regulations

Nice to have: Prior in vivo experience with mice

Benefits

Competitive 401(k)

Highly competitive healthcare coverage (PPO/HMO)

Free parking, a monthly subway pass, or a subsidized commuter rail pass

Free Bluebike Membership

Gym Membership Support

Flexible Spending Account

Paid parental leave, family caregiver leave, and medical leave

Paid life insurance coverage

On-site cafeteria

Competitive vacation and sick days per year

Kernal provides a diverse work environment and is committed to equal employment opportunities for all its employees and qualified applicants. We do not discriminate in employment practices for the race, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, religion, disability, or any other legally protected status. Kernal Bio will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities in accordance with applicable law.

Seniority level : Executive

Employment type : Full-time

Job function : Management and Manufacturing

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