Scientist - T-cell Development/Off-the-Shelf CAR-T Product Development

Fate’s Cancer Immunotherapy group is seeking a motivated individual with expertise in cancer biology, immunology, cell biology or related field to join a multidisciplinary team dedicated to the discovery of novel off-the-shelf cellular therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and other disorders.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the development and optimization of novel engineered lymphoid differentiation protocols, including the derivation of off-the-shelf CAR-T cells, from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) as well as their functional assessment in various tumor models. The candidate must have experience with mammalian cell culture.

The candidate will also play a key role in collaborating with top academic institutes to support discovery, manufacturing and clinical trials.

This is a full-time position reporting to a Senior Scientist in Cancer Immunotherapy leading several off-the-shelf CART Product Development programs, and is located at our corporate headquarters in San Diego, CA.

Primary Responsibilities Include:

• In depth in vitro analysis of iPSC-derived T and CAR-T cells utilizing flow cytometry, proliferation, cytokine secretion, serial stimulation, migration, cytotoxicity assays and other in-vitro assays

• Conduct and optimize various stages of iPSCs differentiation to lymphocyte lineage

• Investigate the role of unique genes and novel modalities in enhancing effector cell performance and persistence

• Engineering of various cell types, including lentiviral transduction of primary T cells

• Conduct/establish product release assays for iPSC derived and primary CAR-T cells

• Establishment and implementation of in vivo mouse models to assess in vivo cytotoxicity of iPSC-derived T and CAR-T cells against both liquid and solid tumors

• Detailed experimental design, record keeping, protocol writing and data interpretation

• Deliver/present results in a multidisciplinary team environment that includes collaborations with top research laboratories and institutes

• Coordination with manufacturing and process development teams in support of technology transfer to academic collaborators.

Requirements:

• PhD. in immunology, cancer biology or related field with 2 or more years of laboratory experience in academia, and/or pharmaceutical industry or M.S. degree in immunology, cancer biology or related field with 5 or more years of relevant industry experience

• Experience in cell culture techniques, flow cytometry, in-vitro immunoassays (activation, cytotoxic killing, cytokine release, migration)

• Experience with process and assay development to improve manufacturing of CAR-Ts • Understanding and experience with iPSC and/or CAR-T cell technology is a plus

• Experience with manufacturing/cGMP guidelines is desirable • Excellent communication (both written and oral), time management, record keeping and data analysis skills

• Positive attitude and willingness to learn and contribute in a goal-oriented team

• Experience using an EDMS system, particularly Veeva Regulatory Information Management (RIM) Suite

• Strong team orientation, with excellent written and oral communication skills

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• May require occasional evening and weekend work

• Full-time onsite work at Company’s headquarters in San Diego

• May require occasional travel for training programs and meetings The preceding job description indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. Additional and incidental duties related to the primary duties may be required from time to time.