Technical Development Principal Scientist - Cell Therapy Process Development

About the role

A healthier future. It’s what drives us to innovate. To continuously advance science and ensure everyone has access to the healthcare they need today and for generations to come. Creating a world where we all have more time with the people we love. That’s what makes us Genentech, a member of the Roche group! This role is a vital part of our Cell Therapy Process Development team within Genentech’s Pharma Technical Cell and Gene Therapy Development (PTCC) organization, which is committed to advancing next-generation cell therapies through innovative process development and cell culture research. As a member of this team, you will lead cutting‑edge efforts to understand cell biology, ensure process consistency, and assess raw material impacts for a diverse range of cell therapy products. You will collaborate closely with multiple stakeholders within and outside PTCC/PTC, bringing your expertise in cell culture techniques and aseptic operations. This position offers the opportunity to establish highly productive, next‑generation processes while fostering a collaborative, inclusive team culture focused on scientific rigor, strategic thinking, and problem‑solving.

Responsibilities

• Designing and executing cell culture experiments to support further understanding of cell biology, process consistency, and the impacts of raw materials
• Innovating and applying advanced technologies to improve cell culture performance and establish next-generation platform processes
• Leading technology transfer initiatives and collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop robust cell-based therapies
• Providing technical leadership and strategic guidance to technical/product teams, media preparation operations, raw material assessments, and supply chain partners
• Cultivating a lean mindset focused on simplification and continuous improvement, while anticipating, identifying, and resolving complex issues
• Interfacing effectively across the Cell Therapy Process Development department, PTC, other internal Genentech/Roche organizations, and external collaborators to drive impactful outcomes
• Establishing thought leadership inside and outside the company through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and active participation in scientific meetings

Requirements

BS, MS or PhD in biological sciences, chemical engineering, or a related discipline with 5+ years of relevant work experience in process development and cell culture techniques.

Qualifications

• Strategic technical leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead and drive technical projects to completion through scientific rigor, strong organizational skills, and strategic problem-solving
• Team development and inclusive leadership: Demonstrated strengths in fostering teamwork and collaboration with an inclusive mindset, embracing different perspectives and expertise to create a highly productive environment
• Matrixed stakeholder management: Proven track record of building and maintaining strong relationships with partners, customers, and collaborators; excellent skills in influencing and communicating effectively across organizational boundaries
• Thought leadership and communication: Proven track record of excellent verbal and written communication demonstrated through conference presentations, publications, and the ability to articulate scientific concepts to diverse stakeholders
• Strongly preferred: Expertise in culture, expansion, and functional assessment of hESCs, iPSCs or MSCs and RPEs.
• Strongly preferred: Expertise in bioreactor process development, including defining process control strategies, P&ID requirements, and operational set-points for stirred-tank bioreactors
• Strongly preferred: Experience with scaling up adherent cell lines in suspension

Pay

The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of California is $120,800 - $224,300. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance.

Relocation benefits are not available for this job posting.