Research Scientist, In Vivo Pharmacology

Description de l'emploi

As the largest, dedicated in-house cell therapy manufacturing network in the world, Kite has relentlessly focused on developing our industry-leading manufacturing capabilities to bring the hope of survival to more patients living with certain difficult-to-treat cancers.

The In Vivo Pharmacology team at Kite Pharma Foster City is seeking a Research Scientist to join an established group, to lead the development and characterization of in vivo murine models and associated ex vivo analyses for multiple cell therapy programs to address specific problematics related to engineered human chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR T cells).

Responsibilities:

• Lead in vivo murine model development and characterization for multiple pipeline programs, for instance, specific tumor models and associated tumor microenvironment, immunodeficient mice humanized with specific human immune cell subsets or human umbilical cord blood-derived CD34+ cells, to assess interactions of CAR T cells with host immune cells and CAR T-associated toxicities, in-house and/or via CRO companies
• Design, plan, conduct, document, analyze and interpret preclinical in vivo studies in support of multiple programs, based on plan, project timelines and goals
• Provide mechanistic data from preclinical mouse studies and/or in vitro cell-based assays, utilizing flow cytometry, molecular biology, or other analytical techniques through the characterization of immune parameters such as cell expansion, distribution and phenotype, cytokine profile, from ex vivo samples (blood, plasma, serum, tumor, tissues)
• Mentor and guide junior colleagues
• Work collaboratively and effectively in a cross-functional team environment
• Present and participate in project team meetings and cross-departmental team meetings
• Share core values such as passion, courage, teamwork, integrity and trust

Basic Qualifications:

• Advanced scientific degree (i.e. MD, PharmD, PhD) OR
• Master’s Degree and 6+ years of scientific experience OR
• Bachelor’s Degree and 8+ years of scientific experience OR
• High School Diploma/GED and 12+ years of scientific experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Education and thorough background in immunology / cancer immunotherapy and multi-parameter flow cytometry with experience in phenotypic analysis of multiple human immune cell populations and markers of activation/exhaustion
• Deep understanding of mechanisms of xenogeneic GvHD, T-cell alloreactivity, immunity of murine models such as NSG mice, humanized mice reconstituted with human immune cells
• Direct experience working with engineered human T cells and/or other immune cell types
• Experience in T-cell functional characterization assays including in vitro cytotoxicity, proliferation, cytokine/chemokine measurements, cell signaling, activation, differentiation, and exhaustion
• Proficient in multi-parameter flow and/or spectral cytometry (antibody titration, panel design, sample acquisition, data processing) and data analysis (FACSDiva, FlowJo, GraphPad Prism, Excel)
• Proficient in cell culture aseptic technique
• Experience with mouse tumor models, mouse handling and techniques including dosing (IV, subcutaneous, PO and IP), tumor inoculation and measurements, in-life and terminal blood collection, necropsy, tissue collection and processing
• Experience in molecular and cellular biology techniques, including but not limited to: phospho-flow, ELISA, Luminex/MSD-based assays, ddPCR, western blot
• Demonstrated independence in experimental design, data analysis, interpretation, and presentation, critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Thorough organizational and time-management skills, high degree of accuracy and attention to detail, thorough record keeping skills (documentation and electronic lab notebook), excellent collaborative, interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Self-motivated, thorough sense of responsibility, drive to learn and make a meaningful impact
• Comfortable in a flexible and fast-paced company environment and able to adjust workload based upon changing priorities
• Understands and implements study protocols in accordance with regulatory requirements for compliance with IACUC/AAALAC guidelines

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