About Us:

We are a startup biotechnology company dedicated to the development of novel cell therapies to cure cancers. The company was founded on pioneering work carried out in the laboratories of Dr. Carl June and Dr. Andy Minn (University of Pennsylvania), Dr. Kole Roybal (UCSF), and Dr. Christopher Garcia (Stanford University). We are using viral vectors, universal targets, and novel cytokine biology to enhance CAR T activity in solid tumors. Our therapeutic approach has potential to be used across multiple tumor types, enabling us to treat significant numbers of cancer patients.

Based in Philadelphia and San Francisco, we are backed with significant investment by prestigious investors including ARCH Ventures and the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy. At our company, you would become one of our early team members where you would help to define and hone our science, be a vital part of building our culture, and contribute to the company’s future success. Here, you would collaborate with a top-notch team who care about patients and each other. We have an ownership mindset and are innovative, curious, driven, and resilient. We take time to build relationships because trust unlocks our ability to debate, share, forgive, and grow together - ultimately in service of our vision to create a universal cure for cancerous solid tumors and improve outcomes for patients.

The Role:

Reporting to the Head of Analytical Development, the Scientist will be responsible for contributing to the development of execution of overall analytical strategy for the development of a pre-clinical portfolio of therapeutic viruses (drug products) and lentiviral vectors (drug substances). This dynamic and scientifically driven role will build understanding and ability within the current and emerging analytical technology and sciences landscape to progress analytical development towards greater product understanding and definition of product quality through the development of robust, scientifically sound and fit-for-purpose release and characterization methods. The Scientist will contribute to defining new, innovative approaches and improving existing capability while learning and applying skills in the areas of active problem solving, contributing to overall success. Knowledge and expertise in in vitro and ex vivo biological systems/models and analytical capabilities related to phenotypic, functional, morphological and genomic/transcriptomic profiling of cells will be expected and enabled by increasingly independent hypothesis testing and productive experimental design within scientific matrix teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the development of overall analytical strategy for viral vectors and therapeutic viruses, supporting a preclinical portfolio of viral/CAR T cell combination product-based drugs.
• Collaboratively contribute to the development and implementation of analytical test methods for release, stability, and characterization testing for autologous CAR T cells and therapeutic virus as the basis for establishing product understanding through defining product quality.
• Help drive innovative thinking for novel methods and strategies for the characterization of cell-based drugs to quantitate and improve understanding of strength, purity, function/potency, identity, and impurities and the discovery and development of new quality attributes.
• Provide effective and collaborative analytical support to cross-functional teams including process development, candidate development, and platform research teams and contribute as a scientific voice to overall candidate and product development strategy as part of a company-wide scientific community.
• Participate in method transfer activities, both internally and externally, with CDMOs and other partners.
• Communicate scientific data and information effectively through presentations, protocols, test methods, and reports.
• Contribute to the writing and internal review of regulatory documents.
• Prioritize individual scientific and professional development and contribute to establishing and growing a strong, engaged culture built on scientific competency and technical excellence.

Required Experience & Skills:

• Master’s Degree in Immunology, Cell Biology/Molecular, Biomedical Engineering or related field and at least 3 years of relevant experience or Bachelor’s Degree with at least 5 years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated experience developing analytical methods for release and characterization testing for supporting pharmaceutical development of complex drugs (e.g., cell therapy, viral therapy, biologics, etc.)
• Effective oral and written communication skills complemented by focus on attention to detail, clarity, accuracy, and conciseness
• Firm commitment to “on-the-bench” experimental and scientific work and the ability to independently and/or collaboratively design, execute and troubleshoot experiments; Analyze, interpret, and clearly communicate complex data
• Familiarity with an array of bio-analytical, bio-physical, and bioassay-based analytical methods for analytical testing of cell and viral-based drugs and drug substances including those applied to molecular, phenotypic, and functional attributes

Preferred Experience & Skills:

• Familiarity with foundational concepts of CMC development and establishing, executing, and iterating analytical development and overall technical development strategy is highly preferred
• Desire to learn, gain and grow new skills, and apply new and existing knowledge adaptability, in a fast-paced and dynamic environment is highly preferred

Working Here:

• We offer a highly competitive compensation package with meaningful ownership
• Excellent coverage for medical, vision, dental
• 401(k) with generous match
• Life insurance
• Premium PTO policy
• Additional substantial benefits

We are an equal opportunity employer.

We are committed to inclusion and diversity and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, national origin, veteran status, disability status or any characteristic protected under applicable law.