Senior Associate Scientist, Research and Development

About Moonlight Bio:

Moonlight Bio is a Seattle-based, preclinical stage biotech company pioneering the development of cutting-edge cell therapies for the treatment of cancer. Our team is comprised of highly collaborative individuals who are passionate about designing innovative technologies and candidates with the potential to transform the lives of cancer patients. Engaging across the full landscape of drug development, Moonlight’s team members are pursuing opportunities in discovery research, component design and screening, preclinical modeling, process and analytical development, translational and clinical studies, and partnerships necessary to enable and advance our core technologies. We believe in fostering a healthy work-life balance, and when we’re not busy in the lab, we enjoy the natural beauty and recreational activities that the Pacific Northwest has to offer.

Roles & Responsibilities:

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Senior Associate Scientist to join our Research team, working on-site in our office and laboratory site in Seattle’s Eastlake neighborhood. As a Senior Associate Scientist, you will serve as a technical subject matter expert, making valuable contributions both independently and as part of a cohesive team, driving multiple projects forward. In this lab-based role, you will have the autonomy and support to lead, design, execute, analyze, and present studies to senior leadership and key stakeholders. Additionally, you will have numerous opportunities to explore and develop new skill sets, encompassing cell and molecular biology, in vitro safety, gene editing, and process and analytical development. Our ideal candidate will have experience in cell and molecular biology, tumor and T cell immunology, and vector biology, and will bring passion and inquisitiveness to tackle the many challenging problems that come with developing novel cell therapies.

A typical day may involve the following activities:

Design and cloning novel constructs 

· Perform molecular cloning of innovative genetic constructs.

· Lead the design and execution of thorough verification of construct identity and expression levels using standard nucleic acid or protein-based detections assays, such as qPCR, flow cytometry, western blot.

Reagent and Assay Development

· Identify and optimize reagents to evaluate the functionality of various construct components. 

· Develop molecular bioassays to characterize therapeutic candidate designs.

Viral Vector Generation

· Produce lentiviral and adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors for T cell engineering.

· Perform viral titer quantification and analysis via digitial PCR (dPCR) methods.

Immune Cell Engineering

· Generate and characterize engineered T cells by performing in vitro immunological analyses, including cell phenotyping via flow cytometry, functional assessment via cytokine production and cytotoxicity assays.

· Perform IND enabling studies to characterize the in vitro pharmacology and safety of our intended first clinical autologous CAR T candidate.

· Compiling and presenting data to various audiences, including founding academic labs.

We are looking for candidates who possess the following qualifications:

· BS or MS degree in molecular biology, cell biology, immunology or related discipline with 4 years of experience, with 2 year(s) of industry experience preferred 

• Strong understanding of molecular biology techniques including molecular cloning, bacterial transformation and culture, DNA/RNA extraction, sequence verification and PCR.
• Strong expertise with mammalian cell line and primary cell culture, as well as cell line engineering
• Solid understanding of immune cell production and assessment preferred.
• Proficiency in standard immunological assays: flow cytometry, cytokine production, cytotoxicity assays.
• Exceptional organization and communication skills.
• Enthusiasm to work collaboratively in a team environment, meet deadlines, and balance time and effort across multiple workstreams.

At Moonlight Bio, we are committed to growing and nurturing a diverse team, providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to characteristics and statuses protected under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Our employee benefits include PTO, on-site parking, medical, dental, and vision plans from your first day of employment.

Join us at Moonlight Bio and contribute to groundbreaking research that has the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment! With our nurturing environment and dedication to professional development, you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on patients’ lives while advancing your career in the dynamic field of cell therapy.

Please submit your resume/CV and cover letter to careers@moonlightbio.us