Associate Director Manufacturing
17 hours ago
Pittsburgh
Job Title: Associate Director, AAV Manufacturing About Avista Therapeutics Avista Therapeutics develops gene therapies for blindness and other inherited diseases. We advance cutting edge approaches to overcome critical challenges in the field of gene therapy, leveraging our collaborative in vivo/machine learning pipeline to engineer gene therapies for previously untreatable disease. About the Role Avista seeks an experienced Associate Director, AAV Manufacturing to lead and grow internal AAV vector manufacturing in support of R&D programs. Reporting to senior leadership, the Associate Director will be responsible for the overall direction, performance, and continuous improvement of AAV manufacturing operations, overseeing a team of AAV manufacturing scientists. This role requires both the scientific depth to drive sound technical decision-making and the leadership skills to build a high-performing team. The ideal candidate is a seasoned professional with deep experience in AAV manufacturing who is excited to shape a critical function at an innovative gene therapy company. Job Responsibilities • Provide strategic and operational leadership for the AAV manufacturing function, setting priorities, workflows, and standards to reliably deliver high-quality vectors on program timelines., • Directly oversee the AAV manufacturing team; foster a collaborative, high-performance culture with clear goals and accountability., • Own the AAV manufacturing roadmap, including capacity planning, platform decisions, and preparation for increased production demands as programs advance., • Drive development and optimization of AAV production and purification processes (e.g., HEK293 triple transfection, affinity and gradient-based purification) to improve yield, purity, potency, and reproducibility., • Oversee quality control of vector lots, ensure results are interpreted rigorously and communicated clearly to stakeholders., • Establish and maintain robust documentation practices, including SOPs, batch records, and ELN standards, ensuring manufacturing records are complete, accurate, and audit-ready., • Partner closely with R&D teams to understand vector requirements across programs, communicate production schedules and constraints, and proactively troubleshoot vector-related issues., • Evaluate and introduce new technologies, reagents, and approaches to strengthen manufacturing capabilities and support the company’s scientific strategy., • Manage manufacturing-related budgets, vendor relationships, and procurement of key materials and equipment., • Ensure full compliance with biosafety regulations., • Contribute to cross-functional initiatives and represent the manufacturing function in internal program meetings and leadership discussions. Qualifications • Advanced degree (Ph.D. or Master’s) in Molecular Biology, Virology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, or a related field; Bachelor’s degree considered with substantial relevant experience., • 4+ years of hands-on experience in AAV vector manufacturing, with a track record of increasing responsibility; prior experience in a gene therapy company, CDMO, or academic vector core strongly preferred., • Deep expertise in AAV production systems and downstream purification methods., • Experience with FPLC-based purification systems (e.g., ÄKTA) for downstream AAV processing, including method development and troubleshooting for affinity and ion exchange chromatography applications., • Strong familiarity with AAV analytical and QC methods, including dPCR, ELISA, SDS-PAGE, and functional/infectivity assays., • Demonstrated experience managing scientists or a manufacturing team; ability to mentor, motivate, and develop team members at multiple career stages., • Strategic thinker with the ability to anticipate operational needs, identify risks, and make sound decisions under uncertainty., • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; comfortable engaging with both bench scientists and senior leadership., • Experience authoring or overseeing manufacturing documentation (SOPs, batch records) and maintaining high documentation standards., • Familiarity with electronic lab notebooks (Benchling is a plus)., • Comfortable in a fast-paced startup environment and eager to build and improve systems as the organization grows. Compensation and Benefits We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, including stock options, medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance and PTO. Avista Therapeutics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy, marital or partnership status, familial status, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, HIV status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by appropriate federal, state, or local laws.