Scientist

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 patients T cells for the molecular fingerprint of each patients cancer. Our trailblazing, proprietary TCXpress platform is an elegant, rapid approach that exploits the patients 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
The  Scientist has a background in Synthetic Biology, Immunology, and Molecular biology to join our newly established group developing novel T cell products for adoptive cell-based immunotherapy of cancer. The positions primary role is in developing approaches to engineer T cell receptors in autologous or allogeneic primary human T cells. An ideal candidate will have a proven record of proficiency in Immunology and Molecular Biology. Knowledge in CRISPR/Cas9 and other non-viral gene-editing technologies is preferred. The candidate will join a diverse team with cross-functional interaction with development and discovery functions. The position requires excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a goal-focused team environment. Duties and Responsibilities

• Establish methodologies for T cell gene modification and associated functional assays.
• Responsible for establishing efficient T cell receptor expression platforms in primary T cells using recombinant lentiviruses and CRISPR/ Cas9 technology
• Responsible for generation of high-titer recombinant lentiviruses, quality control of the lentiviral preparations, and generation of associated reagents
• Responsible for T cell immunology, including isolation, modification, expansion, and analysis of autologous and cryopreserved allogeneic primary T cell populations.
• Maintain accurate sample and laboratory records. Document activities in electronic notebook system, develop IP, publish and present in conferences
• Work closely with our development team to advance technology platforms and TCR candidates.
• Develop data packages and reports for internal corporate activities and regulatory submissions
• Present regularly at team meetings.
• Lead, train and mentor junior staff by example
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Work Experience

• Ph.D. in Immunology, Oncology, Molecular Biology, or related field with five years of postgraduate experience
• 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
• Methods of non-viral gene delivery to target cells: transfection, electroporation/nucleofection, CRISPR/Cas9 with the focus on human PBMC and primary T cells
• Protein Biochemistry: western blotting, ELISA, isolation of proteins from mammalian cells, analytical protein purification using pull-down and immunoprecipitation techniques 
• 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; 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 in working in a multi-disciplinary team environment; resource management; ability to manage ones time within the individual, departmental, and corporate goals and timelines

Physical and Mental Requirements

• You will be expected to occasionally (1% to 20% of the time):
• You will be expected to frequently (21% to 50% of the time):
  • Lift objects from one level to another (30 lbs. or less)
  • Carry objects (30 lbs. or less)
  • Walk around the facility on foot
  • Stand on your feet
  • Travel up to 25%

• You will be expected to constantly (at least 51% of the time):
  • Sit in a normal seated position