Scientist II/Senior Scientist, Gene Circuit Discovery (Cell Therapy) (Contract)
Senti Biosciences
South San Francisco, CA, USA
Posted on Dec 6, 2024
Senti Biosciences seeks to create smarter cell therapies with computer-like logic, enhanced functionality, and greater control. We are passionate about designing gene circuits to improve the “intelligence” of cell and gene therapies in order to enhance their therapeutic effectiveness against a broad range of diseases that conventional medicines are unable to address.
Towards this goal we are seeking a passionate, experienced, talented, and driven Scientist II/Senior Scientist to play an integral role in designing next-generation cell therapies for cancer by leading the in vitro development of new CAR-based gene circuits in immune cells to address solid tumor indications, leveraging Senti’s technologies such as multivalent activating CARs, inhibitory CARs that protect healthy tissues from off-tumor toxicity, synthetic promoters, and tunable cytokine armoring. The successful candidate will not only have a thorough understanding of the CAR-immune cell field and literature (e.g., CAR-T, CAR-NK, etc.), but have considerable direct experience with designing, executing, and overseeing well-controlled in vitro and in vivo T cell experiments.
Responsibilities
- Employ expert knowledge to help lead the company’s efforts to develop next-generation logic-gated CAR-immune cell therapies for treating patients with solid tumors
- Work collaboratively with fellow researchers to plan, execute, analyze, and discuss CAR-immune cell experimental strategies and data
- ndependently design, execute, and troubleshoot in vitro CAR-immune cell cytotoxicity, phenotype, and cytokine production, using multi-color flow cytometry, Luminex, and IncuCyte instruments.
- Collaborate with CROs to design and oversee in vivo CAR-immune cell experiments
- Develop and write experimental protocols and detailed lab records
- Create and deliver persuasive and impactful presentations to a variety of stakeholders across a range of levels.
- Mentor fellow team members in areas of technical expertise
- Participate in and promote a positive, collaborative, and energetic work environment
Qualifications
- Ph.D. in immunology, cancer biology, cell biology, gene therapy, or related field
- 3-4 years (Scientist II) or 5-7 years (Senior Scientist) of postdoctoral or industry experience in CAR-immune cell biology, CAR-immune cell therapy, solid tumor immunology or related field
- Thorough understanding of the CAR-immune cell landscape, with a working knowledge of and considerable hands-on experience with workflows for engineering and assaying CAR-immune cell activity and phenotype in vitro, including packaging cell transfection, virus production and handling, immune cell transduction, cell-based assays with tumor cell lines, imaging and flow readouts, and data analysis.
- Experience in constructing in vitro and in vivo models of solid tumors and of the tumor microenvironment is a plus.
- Proficient with relevant instruments and associated analysis software, including multi-color flow cytometry, Luminex platform, Incucyte platform, FlowJo, Prism
- Demonstrated success in working independently, including leadership of substantial projects, and as part of a multi-functional team, including training and supervising junior researchers.
- Excited by the challenge of solving bold research problems and working in a dynamic, flexible, and fast-paced start-up company environment on aggressive timelines, with a demonstrated history of self-motivated and detail-oriented work.
Salary and Benefits
- The base salary range for this role is $75-125/hr. Starting pay is determined by multiple job-related factors including a candidate’s skills, education and experience level, benchmark, and internal parity.
- Empathetic, supportive, and collaborative colleagues and work environments
- This is a contract opportunity and the benefits are available after 90 days of employment.