Senior Scientist, Discovery Research

Position Summary:

We are seeking an experienced and driven immunologist or cellular biologist to help build and advance our BOXR cell therapy portfolio. The selected candidate will lead a drug discovery program from initiation to clinical application.  The successful candidate will have extensive knowledge of T cell biology and the challenges of the solid tumor environment. This position is in a highly innovative and rapidly evolving environment and interfaces with multiple teams and functions across the company.

Key Activities and Responsibilities:

• Generation, analysis, and interpretation of key in vitro data to identify optimal binders and BOXR transgenes for lead selection of BOXR T cell candidates against various solid tumor indications.
• Design and execute novel strategies to enhance the function of adoptive T cell therapies in the solid tumor microenvironment.
• Independently design, develop, and perform cell-based functional assays to evaluate mechanism of action of therapeutic candidate in exhaustion and suppression assays.
• Prepare study reports, present results internally at team meetings and externally with collaborators.
• Participate in the development of scientific manuscripts and abstracts, present scientific results at conferences.
• Perform literature searches/reviews as necessary.
• Keep a study record by maintaining a detailed, accurate laboratory notebook.
• Supervise and mentor research associate/associate scientist.
• Other duties as assigned

Competences, Skills and Qualification:

• An independent, flexible, high-energy expert in immunology or cancer biology
• PhD with at least 5 years of relevant industry or MS and at least 8 years of experience in a biopharmaceutical setting, or equivalent
• Significant prior experience with primary human cells, especially T cells, highly desirable. Industry experience with CAR-T cells preferred
• Solid understanding of tumor biology and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment
• Familiarity with lentiviral or retroviral production and transduction of mammalian cells
• High level of expertise in assays characterizing T cell phenotype and function, including but not limited to cytotoxicity, proliferation, cytokine production, chemotaxis, multiparameter immunophenotyping, and NGS analysis
• Demonstrated leadership and innovative intellectual contributions to a project
• Demonstrated scientific productivity, as evidenced by strong publication record
• Comfortable in a fast-paced small company environment with minimal direction and able to adjust workload based upon changing priorities
• Strong organizational and record-keeping skills
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk, standing in a lab and working on a computer.
• Ability to safely travel to various physical locations.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.