Senior Scientist of Virology

Company Information

Legend Biotech is a global biotechnology company dedicated to treating, and one day curing, life-threatening diseases. Headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey, we are developing advanced cell therapies across a diverse array of technology platforms, including autologous and allogenic chimeric antigen receptor T-cell and natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy. 

Legend Biotech entered into a global collaboration agreement with Janssen, one of the pharmaceutical companies of Johnson & Johnson, to jointly develop and commercialize ciltacabtagene autolecuel (cilta-cel) in 2017. Our strategic partnership is designed to combine the strengths and expertise of both companies to advance the promise of an immunotherapy in the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Legend Biotech is seeking Senior Scientist of Virology as part of the Research & Early Development team based in Piscataway. 

Role Overview

Legend Biotechnology is seeking a senior scientist to join our exploratory technology group and 
contribute to new technology/platform. This individual will report to the Sr. Principle Scientist in 
R&D. The successful candidate should possess extensive knowledge and research experience in 
virology, molecular biology and gene editing, in particular lentivirus engineering experience. The 
candidate should have comprehensive understanding of HIV or lentivirus virology and 
pathogenetic mechanisms of infection, the interaction between virus and host, and the 
characteristics of the host immune response. Experience with HIV or lentivirus gene therapy in 
vivo model is preferred. The candidate will be able to contribute to developing in vivo cell therapy
platform through lentivirus vector design, in vitro function assay, and assay development of virus 
PK and PD in animal model. 1-3 year biotech or pharmaceutical industry experience is preferred
but not required.  The candidate needs to demonstrate the ability of delivering scientific results with integrity and 
meeting timeline, show the value of collaboration and teamwork, and provide strategy, expertise, 
resources and guidance in a cross-functional environment.

Key Responsibilities  

• Develop cell therapy gene editing platform and optimize cell-based immunoassays, including 
  vector design, virus packaging, immune cell isolation and expansion, multi-color flow cytometry, 
  ELISA, cytotoxic assays. In vivo study design and assay development.
• Design experiments to optimize process parameters, enhance cell engineering and manufacturing 
  capacity.
• Independently design and execute experiments, document and interpret scientific results, present 
  the data to cross-functional teams.
• Stay alert to industry development, good sense of new tech/platform in the field.
• Deliver result and meet timeline.
• Participate in lab support work.

• Education: PhD in virology /Immunology / molecular biology/genetics, or master's degree with extensive experience.
• Experience: >3 years’ post-graduate experience in human immunology, virology or lentivector gene therapy, 1-3 years of 
  industry experience is preferred.
• Key Capabilities, Knowledge, and Skills:
  molecular biology, vector design, gene-editing, animal model.

Key Relationships: 
Communicate within the team and with cross-functional teams for project collaboration and lab support.

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Legend Biotech is a proud equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to attracting, retaining, and maximizing the performance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is Legend’s policy to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, national origin, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status, uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Legend Biotech maintains a drug-free workplace.