Associate Scientist, Cancer Biology

Company Background:

Century Therapeutics is developing novel allogeneic living cell products for oncology that overcome the limitations of current cell therapies. Century’s genetically-engineered, universal iPSC-derived immune effector cell products are designed to specifically target hematologic and solid tumor cancers. Our commitment to developing off-the-shelf cell therapies will expand patient access and provide an unparalleled opportunity to advance the course of cancer care. 

Century’s foundational technology is built on induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) that have unlimited self-renewing capacity. This enables complex cellular engineering to produce controlled cell banks of modified cells that can be expanded and differentiated into desired immune effector cells, which can supply vast amounts of allogeneic, homogeneous therapeutic products. This platform differentiates Century from other approaches that utilize non-renewable donor-derived cells.

Role:

The candidate will be part of a highly cross functional Cancer Biology group in Seattle. The Cancer Biology group works closely with multiple groups including the Synthetic biology, Immunology and Computational Biology groups to develop relevant models for robust candidate testing and in identifying tumor/TME targeting strategies to enhance the efficacy of our pipeline products. The candidate will contribute to the development of complex in vitro tumor models for our lead indications (NHL & GBM) incorporating immune suppressive cell types/pathways that limit cell therapy efficacy in primary tumors. In addition, the candidate will work to design novel transgenes or genetic knockouts in effector cells to improve or expand function in the tumor/TME and further screen the efficacy of these strategies in relevant tumor models. Long term, the candidate will work to identify barriers to cell therapies in relevant indications that can be targeted in future candidates.

Responsibilities:

• In vitro tumor model development- 2D/3D & heterotypic tumor models to test barriers to cell therapies
• Molecular cloning and virus production
• Generation of iPSC derived cell therapies
• Immunological functional assays such as (Incucyte killing assays, cytokine measurement) and phenotypic characterization of effector products
• Generate relevant preclinical data package to test efficacy of targeting strategies in relevant models
• Initial sample preparation for RNA sequencing
• Analyze experimental data and communicate to team members and broader research organization
• Record experimental details and maintains an electronic lab notebook

Qualifications:

• BS degree with 4 years of experience or MS degree with 2 years of relevant experience
• Skilled in mammalian cell culture and maintenance of cell lines
• Experience with developing spheroid and/or heterotypic tumor models
• Experience with culturing tumor associated immune suppressive cells is highly desirable
• Experience with gene delivery - DNA/RNA transfection, retroviral/lentiviral generation, and infection, etc.
• Experience with multiparameter flow cytometry and/or scientific imaging
• Experience with testing T cell or NK cell therapies is a plus

Requirements:

• Ability to manage multiple projects and ability to prioritize based on timelines
• Open-minded, curious and risk-tolerant; humble and not afraid to push and be challenged
• High scientific integrity, committed to ethics and scientific rigor
• Ability to document scientific findings rigorously and communicate effectively with relevant stake holders
• Passion for innovation and drug development