Job Title: Associate Scientist, TCR Discovery of Shared Antigens
FLSA Status: Full-Time/Exempt
Department: Discovery
Date: June 28, 2022
Manager: SVP, R&D
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Job Code: BSB-22-007
BlueSphere Bio was founded to deploy its novel TCXpress technology to unlock the potential of personalized T cell therapy for the treatment of cancer by harnessing the unique specificity of each patient’s T cells for the molecular fingerprint of each patient’s cancer
Our trailblazing, proprietary TCXpress platform is an elegant, rapid approach that exploits the patient’s immune defenses to attack their cancer specifically and is designed to leave normal tissues untouched, thereby reducing harmful side effects.
The TCXpress platform and its implementation will deliver rapid, personalized T cell treatments for various cancer indications.
Purpose
We are seeking an Associate Scientist to join BlueSphere Bio’s T-cell Receptor (TCR) Discovery Group. The candidate will seek to discover TCRs that may function as novel cell-based therapies for treating individuals with cancer. The incumbent will use state-of-the-art instrumentation and techniques for the identification of T-cells against minor histocompatibility antigens, tumor-associated, and neoantigens. Additionally, she/he will work with a group of four scientists developing TCXtractTM, a high-throughput platform that is able to isolate and identify rare antigen-specific T-cells from healthy and patient donor samples. Candidates that are interested in expanding their knowledge and gaining experience in cell-based (TCR-T) cancer therapies and drug discovery are highly encouraged to apply.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Process, characterize, and coordinate the genotyping of primary human blood samples
- Apply high-throughput cell culture techniques for establishing co-cultures of primary T-cells with antigen-presenting cells
- Transduce and/or electroporate antigen-presenting cells with lentivirus or plasmid constructs
- Analyze T-cells and T-cell receptor function via flow cytometry and cell-sorting
- Perform molecular biology techniques as the project requires for the detailed characterization of discovered TCRs
- Develop assays for high-throughput screening of T-cell and TCR-antigen reactivity
- Maintain accurate sample and laboratory records
- Organize and conduct assigned studies with a high degree of independence and attention to detail
- Present scientific results to peers and management during regularly scheduled lab/company meetings (the position also includes the possibility of presenting findings at conferences)
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications and Work Experience
- PhD in Cancer Biology, Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or related fields is required
- Have hands-on research experience in an academic or industry setting is required
- A record of advancing projects, as evidenced by publications or patents is required
- In-depth knowledge of cellular biology is required
- Demonstrated work in cell culture techniques, including designing, setting up, and performing cell-based assays is required
- Experience in T-cell enrichment, expansion, and characterization is preferred but not required
- Previous exposure to flow cytometry and cell-sorting is preferred
- Experience in cell line development is preferred
- Experience in assay/platform development is preferred
- Experience in cellular transfection, lentivirus production, and transduction is preferred
- Proficiency with analytical software packages, e.g., SnapGene, PRISM, FlowJo, LIMS, and Excel is preferred
- The ability to adhere to timelines and milestones, in an organized manner, is required
- Excellent communication and presentation skills are preferred
- Demonstrated ability to independently identify issues and troubleshoot is required
Physical and Mental Requirements
- You will be expected to occasionally (1% to 20% of the time):
- Climb stairs, ramps, ladders. Etc.
- Stoop/crouch by bending your legs or bending down/forward at the waist
- Reach by extending the hands/arms
- Stand on your feet
- Lift objects from one level to another (30 lbs. or less)
- Carry objects (30 lbs. or less)
- Travel (negligible)
- You will be expected to frequently (21% to 50% of the time):
- Walk around the facility on foot
- You will be expected to constantly (at least 51% of the time):
- Sit in a normal seated position
BlueSphere Bio is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and offers employment opportunities to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability (except where physical or mental abilities are a bona fide occupational requirement), veteran status, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, HIV-positive status, possession of the sickle cell trait, genetic characteristics, political views, and any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws.
