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Research Associate - Contract

Employer
4D Molecular Therapeutics
Location
Emeryville, CA
Start date
Jun 21, 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:
4DMT is in need of a talented and motivated Research Associate (Contract) to join our R&D team in supporting our viral drug therapy research efforts as we contribute to the future of gene therapeutics. This position will combine modern molecular and cell biology methods to help streamline 4DMT’s proprietary discovery platform. This individual will work closely with the Discovery group, but is expected to be a collaborative team member within R&D.
Responsibilities:
  • Lab & Experimental Activities: 100%
  • Conduct independent laboratory experiments following defined laboratory technical procedures
  • Use basic molecular biology techniques, DNA and RNA purification, PCR, qPCR, gene cloning, and western blotting
  • Use sterile technique for handling and growing mammalian cells
  • Preparing cell or tissue samples for biochemical analysis
  • Maintain accurate and well-organized laboratory records, worksheets and notebooks
  • Review and present data/work to team members and associated working groups
  • Maintain current training requirements
  • Maintain compliance to company Environmental Health and Safety policies, procedures, and practices
  • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications
  • B.S. degree in biology, bioengineering, or a related field
    • Experience:
  • 1+ years prior experience in biological laboratory experimentation
  • Prior experience working with viral gene delivery vectors (especially adeno-associated virus) is an added plus
    • Skills:
  • Ability to conduct research with strong attention to detail
  • Highly organized and motivated, work independently in a collaborative team-oriented setting, and have strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Photoshop
    • Physical Requirements of the Role:
  • Bending, lifting, twisting, ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment such as lab coat, goggles/glasses, and nitrile gloves
  • Expectation of working 5 days per week in lab while adopting safety and social distancing practices established by 4DMT
  • 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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