Principal Scientist, CAR/TCR Biology

Job Description

The Preclinical CAR T and TCR Biology team is seeking an experienced and driven immunologist with a strong background in T cell biology to advance anti-tumor cell therapies by leading efforts for optimization of CAR T and TCR engineered therapeutics. The successful candidate will have experience in tumor-associated T cell immunology, supervisory experience and a passion for T cell therapy research. Working in lead optimization of T cell therapeutics, this position is ideal for the scientist who is interested in continually learning new technologies to incorporate into CAR/TCR engineered T cell therapeutics in a fast-paced, collaborative and innovative environment.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Application of extensive knowledge of T cell biology including activation pathways, signaling pathways and antigen-specific driven differentiation to optimization of lead CAR/eTCR T cell therapeutic candidates
• Designing and implementing critical studies required to drive hypothesis-driven research
• Conceive and develop novel in vitro assays/models to evaluate CAR T/TCR engineered T cell functionality
• Identify and present opportunities to develop scientists
• Mentoring direct reports to provide guidance for outlining studies required for project advancement
• Provide leadership and shape the culture of a functional group
• Anticipates the need for contingencies and demonstrates flexibility through development of alternative strategies
• Identification and conception of novel strategies for improving T cell function and leading design and characterization activities to enable science-driven decision making
• Building constructive relationships across the organization to achieve the goals of the function and the business through leadership roles on cross-functional/divisional teams

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in immunology, immune-oncology or tumor immunology with at least 3 years of successful postdoctoral experience as demonstrated by strong publication record plus at least 5 years of experience in an industry setting or a M.S. with a minimum of 14 years of relevant work experience or B.S. with minimum of 16 years of relevant work experience in T cell immunology
• Experience with technologies typically employed to assess T cell functionality including but not limited to MSD, IncuCyte-based assays, multi-parameter flow cytometry for phenotypic characterization of T cells, T cell activation assays, T cell proliferation analysis, imaging technologies
• Demonstrates in-depth, scientific-directed, innovative thinking
• Self-motivated and focused with project management-oriented thinking; able to work on multiple projects in a matrix environment
• Ability to work well as both team member and as individual contributor is essential
• Good communication skills for cross-functional interactions as well as upper management interactions; excellent oral presentation skills are critical
• Requires strong organizational skills to ensure thorough and timely documentation of experiments, including those of their direct reports, and preparation of data for compiling reports
• Experience leading projects through building/leading cross-functional teams
• Supervisory experience is required