Team Leader Biopharma/Spectroscopy @ Solvias AG in Switzerland

Education as Physical Chemist/Optical Scientist

Research Identification: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8721-7613

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marius-koch-59302085

--- sometimes it seems impossible until somebody does it ---

Key Competences

Proteinanalysis under GMP - Photophysics & Photochemistry - Light-Matter Interactions

Scientific writing & consulting: 11 years of academic & industrial experience, 21 peer-reviewed articles, presented results on 14 international conferences, review of scientific articles and grant proposals.
Harmonizing & finding synergies: acquired, analyzed and interpreted > 8000 hours of spectroscopic data, overseeing approx. 10 techniques & 16 instruments, support team of approx. 10 members

Multi project management: Efficient team work, mentoring 8+ students, collaborative & interdisciplinary (lived & worked in Germany, Switzerland, USA & Spain), proactive & solution oriented, strategic & analytical thinking.
Optics setups & detectors: > 4000 hours of experience in design, construction and maintenance of light-based analytical instruments.

Professional Experience/Path

Solvias AG, SWITZERLAND - Biopharma Unit

Spectroscopic analysis of biologics (contract-research)

- Team Lead Biopharma/Spectroscopy (interim Feb 19 - May 19, fully Jun. 19 - present)

Support & restructure a team of 9 members (7 lab technicians & 2 Scientists), managing daily operations in biopharma unit under GMP, hire (lab technicians: 2, scientists: 0)
Support project leaders and sales with customer projects
Technical overseeing: UVVis, Fluorescence, FTIR, CD, SEC/AF4-MALLS & DLS, AUC, nanoDSC, HPLC, CCIT
Release comparability and characterization reports
Support authority inspections and customer audits, write OOS & deviations
Budgeting, strategic extension of spectroscopy instruments and knowledge for protein analysis

- Scientific Associate Biopharmaceuticals (May 18 - Jan. 19)

Method-development, -transfers and -validations under ISO and GMP
Spectroscopy of biopharmaceuticals (SEC/AF4-MALLS, HPLC, UV kinetic assay, Fluorescence)
Guidance and support of lab technicians
Customer support

Princeton University, USA, Postdoctoral Research Assistant with Prof. G. D. Scholes (Apr. 15 - Apr. 18)

Solar energy conversion in molecules, photovoltaics & smart windows.

Simultaneously designed and managed up to 6 interdisciplinary internal and external projects spanning electrical, biological & aerospace engineering, radiation physics and chemistry.
Organized meetings with external collaborators & delivered presentations to senior faculty members.
Oversaw installation of laboratory equipment and trained internal and external users (femto- & microsecond transient absorption in the visible and nearIR, time-correlated single photon counting, fluorescence spectroscopy)
supervised 4 graduate candidates.

University of Geneva, SWITZERLAND - Research assistant with Prof. E. Vauthey (Nov. 10 - Mar. 15)

Identification of short-lived chemical intermediates using infrared light based setups.

Established and sustained state of the art laser methodology (built femtosecond visible pump mid infrared probe absorption instrument)
Acquired, analyzed and interpreted spectroscopic data (absorption, fluorescence, midIR)
Optimized data analysis pipelines (Matlab, Igor)
Oversaw, designed, prepared student exercises and practical work sessions (Michelson interferometer, time-resolved luminescence instrument)

Bielefeld University, GERMANY - Research assistant with Prof. A. Gölzhäuser (Nov. 08 - Jan. 09/Sep. 07 - Feb. 08)

Physics of supramolecular systems and surfaces.

Briefed physicists on state of the art chemistry knowledge.
Characterized and tested metal surfaces for nanotechnology application (e.g. Au-coated MICA covered with aromatic hydrocarbons)
Gained expertise in contamination-free conditions / clean room work.

Education

Princeton University, USA - Management Development Program Certificate (2017)

14 x 3-4 h sessions: Managing Effective Interaction - Coaching Others Toward Improvement - Leveraging Diversity I & II - Performance Management - Legal Aspects of Supervision - Making Meetings Work - Embracing Change - Enhancing Feedback and Listening Skills - Guiding the Development of Others - Networking for Enhanced Collaboration - The Power and Impact of Unconscious Bias and Micro Messages for Managers & Employees - Improving Written Communication

University of Geneva, SWITZERLAND - Ph.D. in Chemistry (2015)

Thesis in physical chemistry and laser spectroscopy under the supervision of Prof. E. Vauthey. "Bimolecular photoinduced electron transfer in liquid solution - from diffusion-controlled to ultrafast processes", link: https://archive-ouverte.unige.ch/unige:46574 (see scientific publications as well).

Bielefeld University, GERMANY - M.Sc. in Chemistry (2010)

Thesis in organic & physical chemistry under the supervision of Prof. A. Godt and PD T. Kottke. "Artificial Reaction Centers for the Illumination of Natural Photosynthesis and as NMR torch - Synthesis & Spectroscopy of Phenothiazine-Perylenediimide Dyads"

University of Notre Dame, USA - exchange semester (2008)

Photo physics & radiation impact on water-soluble polymers in the Notre Dame Radiation Laboratory under the supervision of Prof. P. V. Kamat (see scientific publications).

Bielefeld University, GERMANY - B.Sc. in Chemistry (2007)

Thesis in atmospheric chemistry under the supervision of Prof. T. Koop "Concentration- and temperature-dependance of ice recrystallization in sucrose solution" (see scientific publications).