Scientist

Job Title: Scientist

Location: Onsite - South San Francisco (Local candidates only); 94080

Duration: 12 months

Job Description: The CAR-T Biology team in South San Francisco, part of the Immuno-Oncology Organization, is seeking a Scientist III to support the development of in vivo CAR-T platforms from concept through preclinical development. The candidate will work at the intersection of synthetic biology and immune modulation. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in CAR-T biology, T-cell functional assays, and therapeutic development. The role includes designing CAR constructs, executing advanced cell-based assays and collaborating with cross-functional teams to generate high-quality data that support pipeline programs.

Key Responsibilities: Apply subject matter expertise in T cell and synthetic biology approaches toward the development of the next-generation in vivo CAR-T cell therapies, and the ability to translate evolving scientific and intellectual property insights into impactful therapeutic programs. Independently establish, track, and deliver on project milestones and experimental timelines, ensuring alignment with program objectives and organizational priorities, while adapting to evolving scientific needs. Design and execute in vitro assays to evaluate CAR-T biology, including assessment of cytotoxicity, T-cell effector function, and immune cell phenotyping. Organize, analyze, and synthesize complex scientific data, and effectively communicate experimental strategies, results, and interpretations to internal and external stakeholders through clear and impactful presentations and scientific reports. Maintain comprehensive and well-documented records in an Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN).

Qualifications: BS, or equivalent education, with typically 7 or more years of experience; or MS, or equivalent education, with typically 5 or more years of experience; or PhD level with experience in CAR-T, genetic medicine, or immuno-oncology. Demonstrated ability to independently design, perform, and interpret key experiments to address scientific questions. Proven capacity to quickly learn and apply new laboratory techniques. Able to manage multiple tasks efficiently while meeting deadlines. Strong skills in scientific writing and verbal communication. Extensive experience in assay development for CAR-T candidate generation and assessment Previous experience in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) construct design, CAR-T production, and T cell function evaluation. Deep expertise in primary T cell isolation, activation, transduction, T cell cytotoxicity, proliferation, cytokine profiling, multi-color flow cytometry, and immunological assays (e.g., ELISA, Luminex, cytotoxicity assays) is required. Previous experience in leading preclinical cell therapy projects and mentoring scientists will be a plus Experience in cell-based in vitro assay development and semi-automated liquid handling systems for high-throughput workflows is a plus.