Associate Scientist, Analytical Development
Operations
North Carolina, USA · Durham, NC, USA
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The job details are as follows:
Who We Are
We are the first publicly-traded biotech or pharmaceutical company to take the form of a public benefit corporation. Our public benefit purpose is to provide a brighter future for patients through the development of novel pharmaceutical therapies; and technologies that expand the availability of transplantable organs.
United Therapeutics (Nasdaq: UTHR) seeks to travel down the corridors of indifference to develop treatments for rare, deadly diseases. We were founded in 1996 by a family seeking a cure for their daughter’s pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Today, we have six FDA-approved therapies that treat PAH, pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD) and neuroblastoma, a rare pediatric cancer. Our near-term pipeline seeks to develop additional therapies for PAH and pulmonary fibrosis (PF).
The cure for end-stage life-threatening diseases like PAH, PH-ILD, PF, and many others is an organ transplant, but only a small percentage of donated organs are available to address the vast need. For this reason, we are working to create manufactured organs to address the shortage of kidneys, hearts, lungs, and livers available for transplant. We believe an unlimited supply of tolerable, transplantable organs will eliminate the transplant waiting list and cure end-stage organ diseases for which transplant is not currently an option.
Who you are
If you’re driven by scientific curiosity and want your work to make a real difference, this is your moment. As an Associate Scientist in Analytical Development, you’ll play a hands‑on role in advancing cutting‑edge regenerative medicine—applying imaging, molecular biology, and analytical techniques to help bring innovative therapies for serious lung diseases to life. You’ll collaborate with a passionate, multidisciplinary team, own experiments end‑to‑end, and contribute to work that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in tissue engineering. If you thrive at the bench, enjoy solving complex problems, and are inspired by science with purpose, you’ll feel right at home here.
Conduct research to support the development of tissue-based regenerative medicine products for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension and other lung diseases.
- Routinely fix, cut, stain, and image lung sections (cryopreserved sections or precision cut lung slices) and render 3D images and models of vasculature and airway structures for detailed analysis of lung recellularization outcomes
- Develop, optimize, and routinely execute methods for staining, imaging, slide scanning, and image analyses of thick cut lung sections
- Develop, optimize, and routinely execute live cell imaging studies, applying scientific knowledge to the process
- Implement sound experimental strategies to meet R&D objectives; apply sound scientific knowledge and literature to experimental planning, and generate appropriate complex hypotheses and conclusions
- Analyze and summarize outcomes of different tissue engineering strategies based on the degree of vascularization (e.g., degree of branching, infiltration of endothelial cells into the capillary network, etc.) or alveolarization (e.g., quantify coverage of alveolar surfaces with epithelial cells, ratio of type 1 and type 2 pneumocytes, etc.) observed from 3D imaging
- Routinely perform molecular biology assays (e.g. histology, immunofluorescence, ELISA, western blot) to evaluate cell health, distribution, and cell phenotype in recellularized scaffolds
- As required, develop and implement new techniques, laboratory procedures, and/or protocols to support lung scaffold recellularization and characterization efforts
- Coordinate technology transfer activities with industrial and/or academic partners when necessary
- Author and update laboratory procedures and protocols under GLP-like conditions
- Coordinate shipment of samples to CROs or other outside vendors when necessary
- Record all laboratory data in the in-house data management system(s)
- Record and manage use of materials and reagents needed to carry out experiments
- Participate in the evaluation of new technologies or methods as needed
- Follow proper procedures regarding laboratory safety, use of personal protective equipment, and handling of biohazard materials, including human or animal cells and tissues
- Handle human tissue, cells, and/or materials that come into contact with human cells that may carry infectious agents. Shall comply with appropriate safety procedures and exercise universal precautions.
- All other duties as required
Minimum Requirements
- 5+ years of relevant industry experience with a Bachelor's Degree in cell/molecular biology, biomedical engineering, or biomedical sciences, or a related discipline or 3+ years of relevant industry experience with a Master’s Degree in cell/molecular biology, biomedical engineering, or biomedical sciences, or a related discipline or a PhD in cell/molecular biology, biomedical engineering, or biomedical sciences, or a related discipline
- 4+ years of experience with performing imaging based analysis (IHC, cryo imaging, precision cut lung slices) and
- 1+ years of experience with performing bioanalytical assays (flow cytometry, ELISA, qPCR)
- Ability to independently follow experimental methods and protocols
- Proficient with laboratory instrumentation and data analysis software
- Excellent verbal and written communication
- Highly self-motivated
- Proficient with MS Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
- Ability to work well and collaborate with others, both in immediate teams and cross-functionally
- Ability to work with a diverse set of co-workers
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s Degree in cell/molecular biology, biomedical engineering, or biomedical sciences, or a related discipline or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in cell/molecular biology, biomedical engineering, or biomedical sciences, or a related discipline
- 1+ years of relevant industry experience in the development of biologics (cells, or cell-derived products) for therapeutics
Job Location
This role is completely office/lab based in our Durham, NC location.
At United Therapeutics, our mission and vision are one. We use our enthusiasm, creativity, and persistence to innovate for the unmet medical needs of our patients and to benefit our other stakeholders. We are bold and unconventional. We have fun, we do good.
Eligible employees may participate in the Company’s comprehensive benefits suite of programs, including medical / dental / vision / prescription coverage, employee wellness resources, savings plans (401k and ESPP), paid time off & paid parental leave benefits, disability benefits, and more. For additional information on Company benefits, please visit https://www.unither.com/careers/benefits-and-amenities
United Therapeutics Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Eligible employees may participate in the Company’s comprehensive benefits suite of programs, including medical / dental / vision / prescription coverage, employee wellness resources, savings plans (401k and ESPP), paid time off & paid parental leave benefits, disability benefits, and more. For additional information on Company benefits, please visit https://www.unither.com/careers/benefits-and-amenities
United Therapeutics Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.