Senior Research Associate, Translational Medicine

Harpoon Therapeutics is a clinical-stage immunotherapy company developing a novel class of T cell engagers that harness the power of the body’s immune system to treat patients suffering from cancer and other diseases. T cell engagers are engineered proteins that direct a patient’s own T cells to kill target cells that express specific proteins, or antigens, carried by the target cells. Using its proprietary Tri-specific T cell Activating Construct (TriTAC®) platform, Harpoon is developing a pipeline of novel TriTACs initially focused on the treatment of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. HPN424 targets PSMA and is in a Phase 1/2a trial for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. HPN536 targets mesothelin and is in a Phase 1/2a trial for cancers expressing mesothelin, initially focused on ovarian and pancreatic cancers. HPN217 targets BCMA and is in a Phase 1/2 trial for relapsed, refractory multiple myeloma. HPN328 targets DLL3 and is in a Phase 1/2 trial for small cell lung cancer and other DLL3-associated tumors. Harpoon has also developed a proprietary ProTriTAC platform, which applies a prodrug concept to its TriTAC platform to create a therapeutic T cell engager that remains inactive until it reaches the tumor. For additional information about Harpoon Therapeutics, please visit www.harpoontx.com.

We are looking for a highly motivated Senior Research Associate to join our Translational Medicine group to execute preclinical studies and provide in vivo proof-of-biology data on Harpoon’s drug candidates, demonstrate in vivo mechanisms of action, as well as scientific rationale to support combination clinical trials. This position is laboratory based with the successful candidate collaborating across groups to plan, execute and analyze in vivo studies.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Independently design, execute and analyze in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo tumor model experiments
• Tumor implantation and administration of experimental drugs via multiple routes (subcutaneous, intravenous, and intraperitoneal), tumor growth, symptoms associated with disseminated tumors and health monitoring
• Tissue culture maintenance and expansion of adherent and suspension tumor cell lines, enumeration of cell density and making serial dilutions for implantation in mice
• Ex vivo expansion of normal human T cells and their characterization by flow cytometry
• Tumor resection and characterization of tumor microenvironment in tumor cell killing, T cell activation and functional differentiation by cell-based assays and histological approaches
• Analyze the outcome of efficacy, pharmacodynamic, and pharmacokinetic studies including statistical analyses where applicable
• Perform relevant in vitro experiments to support the advancement of candidates to in vivo studies
• Maintain records, prepare reports, and make regular presentations to summarize results
• Adapt to and perform new laboratory responsibilities depending on the evolving needs of Harpoon Therapeutics

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS or MS with 5+ years’ laboratory experience in cancer biology, biochemistry, immunology or related fields
• Direct hands-on experience and proficiency with in vivo studies conducted in mice, including mouse handling, tumor and immune cell implantation, performing routine injections (sc, ip, iv), preparing test compounds, blood and tissue collection is required
• Proficient in maintaining cell lines in tissue culture
• Small animal surgical techniques and experience in cell-based bioassays, ligand binding assays including flow cytometry and ELISA are major pluses
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with limited supervision
• Maintain electronic laboratory notebook with high attention to detail
• Ability to accommodate a flexible schedule which include occasional weekend responsibilities
• Motivated, flexible, highly productive individual with strong desire to learn new techniques and to understand the scientific rationale for experimental procedures
• Team player with excellent oral and written communication skills