Research Associate

BlueSphere Bio is seeking a highly motivated candidate to join BlueSphere Bio’s T-cell Receptor (TCR) research team. The incumbent will use state-of-the-art instrumentation and techniques to identify TCRs that recognize minor histocompatibility antigens, tumor-associated antigens, and neoantigens. Additionally, she/he will work with a group of individuals to develop a high-throughput platform that is able to isolate and identify rare antigen-specific T-cells from healthy and patient donor samples. These positions require excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a goal-focused team environment. Job level and responsibilities will be based on qualifications and experience. Candidates interested in expanding their knowledge and gaining experience in cell-based (TCR-T) cancer therapies and drug discovery are highly encouraged to apply.

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate sample and laboratory records. Document activities in electronic notebook system.
• Support TCR discovery platform operations by assisting in developing and implementing novel strategies to identify antigen-specific TCRs
• Conducting PCR, cloning, and colony screening assays.
• Conducting bacterial transformation, propagation, and purification of plasmid DNA
• Conducting lentivirus production, purification, and banking
• Development and implementation of co-culture assays to identify novel TCRs
• Sterile culture techniques and cell sorting (including at the single cell level) to maintain and establish new cell lines for the functional characterization of TCRs
• Characterize cells using multiparameter flow cytometry and subsequent data analysis.
• Organize and conduct assigned studies independently. Notably, the incumbent must be capable of troubleshooting various aspects of assay implementation.
• Work closely with the development team to advance the technology platform and TCR candidates
• Assist in developing data packages and reports for internal corporate activities and regulatory submissions.
• Present regularly at team meetings.

Relevant Experience and Skills

• Mammalian Cell Culture: immortalized and primary adherent and non-adherent cells
• T cell biology: Isolation and in vitro maintenance of PBMC, including CD4 and CD8 primary T cells. T cell activation, gene modification, and expansion for downstream functional assays, including TCR-dextramer binding, activation assays (proliferation, cell-based killing assays, analysis of cytokine secretion, etc.)
• Flow Cytometry: Strong background in multi-color flow cytometry [4 channel flow cytometry analysis preferred] of primary human immune cells and cell lines
• Molecular Cloning: vector design, restriction enzyme analysis of expression vectors, restriction independent cloning [In-Fusion and/or Gibson]
• Lentiviral technology: Understanding of LV packaging systems and LV expression vector components; experience in LV vector isolation and generation of recombinant lentivirus; lentiviral applications: transduction of immortalized and primary cells focusing on primary human PBMC and T cells
• DNA/RNA isolation and nucleic acid technologies: PCR, RT-PCR, and Q-RTPCR; familiarity with NGS and RNA-Seq, genomic DNA PCR, and Sanger sequencing; familiarity with 10x genomics scRNA seq workflow; isolation of vector DNA (mini, midi, maxi, and mega preps), agarose gel electrophoresis and DNA/RNA fragment isolation from agarose gel
• Bacterial Culture: maintenance of bacterial cells, the transformation of the competent bacteria, isolation of vector DNA (mini, midi, maxi, and mega preps)
• Software: flow cytometry software, data analysis software (GraphPad Prism, Excel, etc.), Microsoft Office suite
• Organizational skills: Experience working in a multi-disciplinary team environment; resource management; ability to manage one’s time within individual, departmental, and corporate goals and timelines. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s (BS) degree in Immunology, Oncology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biological Sciences or equivalent experience required with >=2 years of working experience required.
• Familiarity with 10x genomics scRNA library preparation workflow is preferred.