Post by Andres Canela on Jul 14, 2014 23:40:12 GMT -4
www.sparktx.com/careers
“Early on I recognized and respected our team’s legacy of scientific excellence and unwavering dedication to patients, and to that foundation, we, at Spark, aim to establish a culture of transparency and collaboration, instilling a collective sense of ownership in the company’s success and of urgency on behalf of patients.”
– Jeffrey Marrazzo, Co-Founder, President and CEO

Spark was founded by some of the brightest pioneers in the field of gene therapy with the goal of curing serious, debilitating genetic diseases in a single therapeutic dose. Our mantra is “Go faster and broader,” with plans to have multiple programs for ocular, hematologic, and neurodegenerative genetic diseases in the clinic by 2016.
Now we are embarking on our future: to deliver the first approved gene therapy in the U.S., and increase the number of diseases that can be treated through this promising treatment paradigm. We are looking to bring on team members who share our appreciation of the creative, innovative, and scientifically rigorous, and most importantly, those who understand our patient-first mentality and dedication to those who suffer from debilitating diseases.
See below for more information on current job openings. If you think you would be a good fit, please email your resume and any relevant materials to Human Resources at careers@sparktx.com.
Current Openings
Research Scientist (Molecular Biology)
Our Research and Development team is seeking a molecular biologist with a strong background in drug discovery (with emphasis on AAV gene therapy) and early drug development. The successful candidate will be highly self-motivated and team-oriented with a demonstrated track record of working in a collaborative environment.
Responsibilities:
The Research Scientist will be responsible for experimental design, execution, data analysis and reports (written and verbal) for AAV platform discovery research as well as therapeutic programs. This individual’s major responsibilities will be to conduct studies in-house and to manage studies conducted at contract research organizations and with collaborators. Extensive, prior hands-on expertise in molecular and cellular techniques, and significant experience with lead identification/optimization, is required.
Qualifications:
• Significant experience with early drug development within biotech or pharmaceuticals
• Significant experience working as part of cross-functional therapeutic program teams
• Working knowledge of hemophilia
• Experience with writing study reports in support of IND a significant plus
• Experience within a start-up/small biotech environment
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Excellent communications skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to be highly productive in a fluid and fast-paced work environment
Requirements:
• Ph.D. in Biology or related discipline
• 7-10 years of hands-on experience in drug discovery research, including AAV gene therapy
• Minimum of 3-5 years of specific experience with AAV vectors
• Extensive hands-on experience with molecular, cellular techniques, protein expression, and vector engineering
• Significant experience with lead discovery/optimization
• Significant experience with managing and maintaining collaborations with other laboratories and/or CROs
Entry Level Scientist – Senior Technician (Cell Biology, Process Development)
This is a great opportunity to make a major contribution to medical science. As part of this team you will work closely with your supervisor to develop a fully scalable manufacture process, including upstream and downstream processes of gene delivery vectors:
• Execute routine lab operations including molecular cloning, cell culture, viral vector processes, and analytical assays
• Execute daily experiments; analyze, document, and close-out experiments in a timely manner
• Write protocols, technical reports, and memos to summarize experiments
• Help in assessing technical feasibility of vector production and purification strategies, managing timelines
• Design and conduct experiments to improve target performance of group operations through careful design and execution with guidance from supervisor
• Design and perform analytical assays for the samples generated from upstream and downstream processes in a timely manner and communicate such assay data routinely
• Streamline implementation of group operations to improve efficiency and enable the developing of upstream viral vector production system
• Work in a team to develop process for technical transfer to cGMP manufacturing
• Troubleshoot process scale-up issues
• Maintain documentation with high level of detail and organization
• Maintain equipment to be functional, process lab material orders, and maintain a well-organized working environment
• Recommend procedures to improve the existing process
Qualifications
Education Requirement:
• Chemical Engineering or
• Biological Sciences or
• Biochemistry
Experience requirement:
• BS with 8 years of experience
• MS with 5 years of experience
• PhD with 3 years of experience
Previous experience in early and/or late stage process development of cell culture processes for cell/gene therapy, vaccine, protein and/or antibody based products is required. Experience in advance data analysis (e.g. multivariate analysis) and DOE methodology is preferred. Experience in writing detailed technical documents, protocol is proffered. This position requires occasional weekend work. Working knowledge of the scale-up/scale-down of a biological process is preferred.
“Early on I recognized and respected our team’s legacy of scientific excellence and unwavering dedication to patients, and to that foundation, we, at Spark, aim to establish a culture of transparency and collaboration, instilling a collective sense of ownership in the company’s success and of urgency on behalf of patients.”
– Jeffrey Marrazzo, Co-Founder, President and CEO

Spark was founded by some of the brightest pioneers in the field of gene therapy with the goal of curing serious, debilitating genetic diseases in a single therapeutic dose. Our mantra is “Go faster and broader,” with plans to have multiple programs for ocular, hematologic, and neurodegenerative genetic diseases in the clinic by 2016.
Now we are embarking on our future: to deliver the first approved gene therapy in the U.S., and increase the number of diseases that can be treated through this promising treatment paradigm. We are looking to bring on team members who share our appreciation of the creative, innovative, and scientifically rigorous, and most importantly, those who understand our patient-first mentality and dedication to those who suffer from debilitating diseases.
See below for more information on current job openings. If you think you would be a good fit, please email your resume and any relevant materials to Human Resources at careers@sparktx.com.
Current Openings
Research Scientist (Molecular Biology)
Our Research and Development team is seeking a molecular biologist with a strong background in drug discovery (with emphasis on AAV gene therapy) and early drug development. The successful candidate will be highly self-motivated and team-oriented with a demonstrated track record of working in a collaborative environment.
Responsibilities:
The Research Scientist will be responsible for experimental design, execution, data analysis and reports (written and verbal) for AAV platform discovery research as well as therapeutic programs. This individual’s major responsibilities will be to conduct studies in-house and to manage studies conducted at contract research organizations and with collaborators. Extensive, prior hands-on expertise in molecular and cellular techniques, and significant experience with lead identification/optimization, is required.
Qualifications:
• Significant experience with early drug development within biotech or pharmaceuticals
• Significant experience working as part of cross-functional therapeutic program teams
• Working knowledge of hemophilia
• Experience with writing study reports in support of IND a significant plus
• Experience within a start-up/small biotech environment
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Excellent communications skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to be highly productive in a fluid and fast-paced work environment
Requirements:
• Ph.D. in Biology or related discipline
• 7-10 years of hands-on experience in drug discovery research, including AAV gene therapy
• Minimum of 3-5 years of specific experience with AAV vectors
• Extensive hands-on experience with molecular, cellular techniques, protein expression, and vector engineering
• Significant experience with lead discovery/optimization
• Significant experience with managing and maintaining collaborations with other laboratories and/or CROs
Entry Level Scientist – Senior Technician (Cell Biology, Process Development)
This is a great opportunity to make a major contribution to medical science. As part of this team you will work closely with your supervisor to develop a fully scalable manufacture process, including upstream and downstream processes of gene delivery vectors:
• Execute routine lab operations including molecular cloning, cell culture, viral vector processes, and analytical assays
• Execute daily experiments; analyze, document, and close-out experiments in a timely manner
• Write protocols, technical reports, and memos to summarize experiments
• Help in assessing technical feasibility of vector production and purification strategies, managing timelines
• Design and conduct experiments to improve target performance of group operations through careful design and execution with guidance from supervisor
• Design and perform analytical assays for the samples generated from upstream and downstream processes in a timely manner and communicate such assay data routinely
• Streamline implementation of group operations to improve efficiency and enable the developing of upstream viral vector production system
• Work in a team to develop process for technical transfer to cGMP manufacturing
• Troubleshoot process scale-up issues
• Maintain documentation with high level of detail and organization
• Maintain equipment to be functional, process lab material orders, and maintain a well-organized working environment
• Recommend procedures to improve the existing process
Qualifications
Education Requirement:
• Chemical Engineering or
• Biological Sciences or
• Biochemistry
Experience requirement:
• BS with 8 years of experience
• MS with 5 years of experience
• PhD with 3 years of experience
Previous experience in early and/or late stage process development of cell culture processes for cell/gene therapy, vaccine, protein and/or antibody based products is required. Experience in advance data analysis (e.g. multivariate analysis) and DOE methodology is preferred. Experience in writing detailed technical documents, protocol is proffered. This position requires occasional weekend work. Working knowledge of the scale-up/scale-down of a biological process is preferred.