Scientist - Mammalian Cell Culture

Scientist - Mammalian Cell Culture

Location: Thousand Oaks, CA

Onsite Flexibility

Onsite

Contract Details

• Position Type: Contract
• Contract Duration: 24 months
• Pay Rate: $38.00–$42.00 / Hour (USD)
• Shift / Schedule: Typically 8 AM–5 PM; earlier starts preferred, flexibility available
• Overtime: Minimal; occasional needs based on experiments
• Relocation: Open to non-local candidates; local is still preferred
• Work Authorization: Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Job Summary

This is a hands-on bench scientist role supporting mammalian cell culture, viral vector research, and molecular biology workflows. The position involves designing and executing experiments for AAV and lentiviral vector production, optimization, and characterization for in vitro and in vivo research applications, within a multidisciplinary scientific environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments for AAV and lentiviral vector production, optimization, and characterization for in vitro and in vivo research applications.
• Design, generate, and validate DNA constructs and perform mammalian cell culture, viral vector production, purification, and characterization.
• Perform in vitro functional assays, process mouse tissue samples, and isolate and prepare RNA for downstream molecular analyses.
• Conduct molecular, biochemical, and cell-based assays to characterize viral vectors and evaluate biological activity.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data, troubleshoot technical challenges, and propose follow-up experiments or workflow improvements.
• Develop and implement new experimental methods and communicate findings to multidisciplinary project teams.
• Maintain accurate experimental documentation and contribute to effective laboratory operations.
• Perform sterile mammalian cell culture and cell-based assays.
• Support assay development, experimental execution, and troubleshooting.
• Conduct in vitro studies supporting future in vivo experiments.
• Potentially process mouse tissues, isolate nuclei, and prepare samples for flow cytometry.
• Collaborate with internal teams on downstream sample analysis and scientific workflows.

Required Skills

• Mammalian cell culture: Strong hands-on experience with aseptic techniques.
• Cell biology: Experience performing and developing cell-based assays.
• Molecular biology: Practical wet-lab experience and scientific problem-solving.
• Strong hands-on experience with sterile mammalian cell culture, molecular cloning, DNA construct design, and validation.
• Experience with in vitro assays, tissue sample processing, and RNA preparation, with demonstrated ability to troubleshoot experiments, analyze data, and interpret results.

Preferred Skills

• Viral vector technologies, tissue processing, nuclei isolation, and flow cytometry.
• Experience with AAV and/or lentiviral vector design, production, purification, and characterization.
• Independent, proactive, and scientifically curious.
• Strong troubleshooting and experimental problem-solving abilities.
• Adaptable and able to become productive quickly.
• Collaborative team player who actively contributes ideas.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with 6–7 years preferred.
• Master's degree with 4–5 years preferred.
• PhD: Recent graduates considered with strong hands-on research experience.
• Basic Qualifications: Doctorate degree OR Master's degree and 2 years of experience OR Bachelor's degree.

Important Notes

• Interview Process: Phone interview (approximately 0.5 hours) followed by an in-person team meeting (approximately 3–4 hours).
• Red Flags (for candidate awareness): This is a bench-focused role. Candidates with primarily theoretical or computational backgrounds, limited hands-on molecular biology and mammalian cell culture experience, or whose recent experience is primarily project management, regulatory affairs, or computational research rather than hands-on laboratory work are unlikely to be a fit. The role requires demonstrated experience in experimental design, execution, troubleshooting, data interpretation, and scientific ownership beyond routine protocol execution.

Benefits

• Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance Plans
• 401k Retirement Fund

About GTT

GTT is a minority-owned staffing firm and a subsidiary of Chenega Corporation, a Native American-owned company in Alaska. We highly value diverse and inclusive workplaces and support Fortune 500 organizations across banking, financial services, technology, life sciences, biotech, utilities, and retail sectors throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Job Number: 26-17499

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