Senior Associate Scientist I, Analytical Innovation, Drug Product Characterization & Function

How you’ll make an impact:

You will be a part of a multi-faceted team that develops innovative and sophisticated analytical methods to uncover insights into our genetic engineering tools. To better understand our T cell drug products, you will combine uniting fundamentals with exploring emerging information and technologies. 

About the team:

The Analytical Innovation team uses cutting-edge proteomic and genomic technologies to design and execute assays that test the characteristics, potency, and function of our products. Specifically, this role will focus on, but is not limited to, mass cytometry, a high-dimensional cellular phenotyping technique related to flow cytometry. We support tour proprietary translational medicine and CMC ask-and-answer engine by studying correlations between the drug products and the patient, relying on regular interaction with colleagues in Research, CMC, Translational, Clinical, Regulatory, and Quality functions.

Our group takes our work seriously but doesn’t take ourselves too seriously – so we are very much into fun group bonding activities whenever we have the chance!

How you’ll spend your time:

• Using mass cytometry (CyTOF) and flow cytometry, conducting immunophenotyping studies of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cells, engineered T-cell receptors (TCRs), and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)
• This will involve driving lab activities for characterization of clinical trial-derived materials (experimental design, team coordination, experiment execution, and collaborative data analysis). This position will have a high-frequency interaction and collaboration with our internal data scientists.
• Working cross-functionally with stakeholders (as a primary contact) to implement CyTOF methods for program-specific objectives.
• Performing routine processing and analysis of mass cytometry data.
• Operating and maintaining our mass cytometry (CyTOF) instrument to ensure optimal performance.
• Maintaining accurate and reliable record keeping including database management, electronic laboratory notebooks, and other pertinent documentation
•  Performing method optimization experiments to innovate and improve on current mass cytometry methods. This may involve investigating literature and talking to external researchers and vendors to gather information.
• Authoring assay specific SOPs and work instructions, as well as authoring and reviewing technical reports as needed.

Who you are and what you’ve accomplished:

• BS (or equivalent) in Cell biology, immunology, bioengineering, or related discipline with 3+ years of relevant experience or MS (or equivalent) with 2+ of relevant experience. Experience in the biotech/pharma industry is desirable.
• Detail-oriented with demonstrated ability to operate and troubleshoot complex instrumentation.
• Experience with flow cytometry and/or mass cytometry staining and data analysis, including standard flow cytometry analysis software, such as FlowJo, FCSExpress, Cytobank, or OMIQ, is preferred.
  
• Willingness to work with lentiviral vector and human biological samples.
• Excellent organizational skills, sufficient to multi-task in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
• You should enjoy pushing limits, creating solutions, and working within a highly motivated culture where our mission – to offer patients and their families more time – is at the heart of all we do.
• Looking to solve difficult, messy problems like developing cell therapies for cancer—it’s hard!
• Ability to communicate above and below level in a way that fosters relationship building, including cross-functional teams, and external relationships with vendors.
• Must have excellent attention to detail, project and time management skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Embraces and models our core values—re:think, have:heart, better:2gether, time:is now