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Research Associate (Contract)

Employer
4D Molecular Therapeutics
Location
Emeryville, CA
Start date
Mar 4, 2021

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Discipline
Regulatory, Research/Documentation, Science/R&D, Research
Required Education
Bachelors Degree
Position Type
Contract
Hotbed
Biotech Bay
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Job Details

4D Molecular Therapeutics, Inc. (“4DMT”) is a clinical-stage gene therapy company pioneering the development of product candidates using targeted and evolved AAV vectors. 4DMT seeks to unlock the full potential of gene therapy using its platform, Therapeutic Vector Evolution, which combines the power of directed evolution with approximately one billion synthetic capsid sequences to invent evolved vectors for use in targeted gene therapy products. The company is initially focused in three therapeutic areas: ophthalmology, cardiology, and pulmonology. The 4DMT targeted and evolved vectors are invented with the goal of being delivered through clinically routine, well-tolerated and minimally invasive routes of administration, transducing diseased cells in target tissues efficiently, having reduced immunogenicity and, where relevant, having resistance to pre-existing antibodies. 4DMT is currently conducting three clinical trials: 4D-125 is in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for XLRP, 4D-110 is in a Phase 1 clinical trial for choroideremia and 4D-310 is in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for Fabry disease.

4DMT is focused on attracting and retaining the best people in the industry who identify with our mission and innovative results-driven approach. We offer an inspiring and collaborative environment that encourages individual contributions, recognizes performance in multiple ways, offers competitive salary and benefits, and provides challenging opportunities for career development. 4D Molecular Therapeutics is located in Emeryville, CA.

GENERAL SUMMARY:
The 4DMT technical operations team is looking for a motivated individual to assist in executing experiments designed to improve downstream process knowledge. You will be working within a small team of scientists to innovate, design, and perform tests involved in AVV purification. Our department works closely with that of research, upstream, analytical, and manufacturing to advance gene therapy products to market. This position allows for an opportunity to develop novel strategies, to work in a fast paced environment, and to expand purification process knowledge. This is a six month contract position with possible extension or conversion. 
Responsibilities
  • Lab & Experimental Activities: 70%
  • Help design and execute studies that advance process knowledge of key downstream chromatography steps with consideration of increased AAV yield and purity
  • Utilize data analysis tools and employ critical thinking to implement process changes
  • Innovate new ways to improve purity and yield of AAV products
  • Routine production of AAV capsids for inter-departmental product improvements
  • Assist in the production of research grade AAV material
    • Cross-functional & Communication: 30%
  • Collaborate with process & analytical teams to screen and evaluate drug candidates across a range of indications
  • Organize and maintain data in project reports
  • Maintain electronic notebook
  • Review and present data to process team and at cross-functional department forums
  • Maintain current awareness of scientific literature
  • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications
  • BS in biology, biochemistry, virology, molecular biology or other relevant field
  • Experience in the biologics or pharmaceutical industry is a plus
  • Knowledge or hands-on experience with column purification techniques
    • Skills: (non-technical and technical skills)
  • Knowledge and demonstration of buffer preparatory skills are required
  • Understanding of Unicorn software or equivalent chromatography software is preferred
  • Pipette handling skills required
  • Experience writing laboratory notebook reports and protocols required
  • Strong oral and written communication skills
  • Able to handle multiple projects with priority guidance
  • Demonstrates organized data management
  • Familiarity with Excel, Word, and PowerPoint are required, and basic statistical analysis techniques are preferred
    • Physical Requirements of the Role:
  • Lifting up to 50 lbs, bending, lifting, twisting, ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment such as lab coat, goggles/glasses, and nitrile gloves
  • During COVID-19 this person will need to be in a lab
  • Expectation of 2-5 days per week in lab while adopting safety and social distancing practices established by 4DMT as well as the PD group
  • Adhere to 4DMT Covid protocols and policy

4DMT provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, status as a covered veteran and any other category protected under applicable federal, state, provincial and local laws.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

Company

4DMT is a gene therapy company with a transformative discovery platform --Therapeutic Vector Evolution --that enables our “disease first” approach to product discovery and development, thereby allowing us to customize our AAV vectors to target specific tissue types associated with the underlying disease.


At 4DMT we are creating and developing optimized “biopharmaceutical grade” AAV vectors that will allow us uniquely to unlock the full potential of gene therapy. Our customized and proprietary AAV vectors are each designed, according to a 4DMT Target Vector Profile, to deliver genes to specific cells and tissues in the body to eradicate both rare and large market diseases.


While AAV gene therapy pioneers are making great strides with the first wave of products, hurdles still exist with the use of conventional vectors. The most commonly used AAV capsids (e.g., AAV2, 5, 8 and 9) were identified either 1) as contaminants in lab stocks of adenovirus, or 2) through monkey tissue processing. Therefore, these conventional vectors are not targeted specifically to any tissue in the body. This can lead to inefficient and non-specific delivery, thus requiring extremely high doses and potentially resulting in toxicities (including inflammation), high manufacturing burdens and suboptimal efficacy. In addition, suboptimal routes of delivery can be required for delivery to the right tissues (e.g., subretinal delivery to the retina). Finally, pre-existing neutralizing antibodies in many patients can limit efficacy, clinical trial enrollment and market sizes. 4DMT Innovation empowers us to create new and improved next generation AAV capsids to allow targeted delivery of our products by the optimal clinical route of administration.


At 4DMT we use our robust discovery platform, termed “Therapeutic Vector Evolution,” to create customized and proprietary gene delivery vehicles (novel AAV vectors) to deliver genes to specific tissues and cells in the body by the optimal route of administration. We use the power of evolution to create and refine these optimized vectors through genetic diversification and then natural selection in vivo.


4D Purpose Statement:  Boldly Innovating to Unlock the Full Potential of Gene Therapy for Countless Patients


GUIDING PRINCIPLES

 

  • Dare to Cure - Patients are waiting. Create big dreams for patients and take calculated risks to achieve them
  • Break Boundaries - Question the status quo and innovate beyond conventional approaches
  • Beyond Yourself - It's about patients, their families, our team, our families. We strengthen each other.
  • Prepare and Execute Relentlessly - Start with the end in mind, over-prepare and make contingency plans to your contingency plans


We invite all of you who share our passion and vision in creating the ultimate gene therapy products to cure genetic and rare diseases in children and adults. We seek the best people in the industry who identify with our mission and innovative results-driven approach. We offer an inspiring and collaborative environment that encourages individual contributions, recognizes performance in multiple ways, offers generous benefits and provides challenging opportunities for career development. 
 

Company info
Website
Phone
510-505-2680
Location
5858 Horton St. Suite 455
Emeryville
California
94608
United States
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