Scientist and Sr. Scientist Roles - Cancer Immunotherapy
About Pyrojas
Pyrojas Inc. is an innovative biotechnology company focused on advancing the field of cancer immunotherapy. Our mission is to develop groundbreaking therapies to address the critical challenges of tumor heterogeneity and immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment. We are driven by a commitment to harness the power of the immune system to improve patient outcomes across a range of cancer types. Pyrojas is at the forefront of the next generation of personalized cell therapies, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to bring highly effective treatments to patients.
Key Responsibilities:
- T cell engineering: Perform lentiviral and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene knock-in/knock-out experiments in T cells, especially primary human T cells.
- Cell culture and and in vivo studies: Lead the development and optimization of cell culture protocols for primary T cells, including expansion, transduction, and differentiation. Contribute to the design and execution of in vivo efficacy and safety studies in immunocompromised and syngeneic mouse models.
- Flow cytometry and cell sorting: Design multi-parameter flow cytometry panels for phenotypic and functional characterization of T cells, including the analysis of activation, exhaustion, memory markers, and intracellular cytokines.
- Design and execute immunology-based assays: Develop and perform functional assays such as cytotoxicity (flow, Cr51-release, LDH), cytokine production (ELISA, ELISpot), and proliferation assays to evaluate T cell function under various conditions.
- Molecular biology and vector engineering: Construct and clone constructs using molecular biology techniques (PCR, Gibson assembly, CRISPR-Cas9). Optimize and produce lentiviral vectors, ensuring high titers for efficient transduction of primary T cells.
- Data analysis and interpretation: Analyze complex data sets from flow cytometry, transcriptomics, and functional assays to evaluate T cell efficacy. Work with bioinformatics teams to interpret high-throughput data, including RNA-seq and scRNA-seq results.
- Collaborative research: Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including immunologists, bioinformaticians, and engineers, to integrate experimental data into the broader research strategy.
- Lab leadership: Train and supervise junior lab personnel, ensuring adherence to experimental protocols and safety regulations. Maintain detailed experimental records and contribute to data presentations for internal meetings and external publications.
- Documentation and reporting: Prepare technical reports, presentations, and scientific publications. Contribute to patent filings and the preparation of regulatory documents (e.g., INDs).
Opportunities for Growth:
- Develop deep expertise in cutting-edge cancer immunotherapy technologies, with direct involvement in the advancement of next-generation of T cell therapies.
- Access to professional development opportunities, including conference attendance, mentorship, and leadership development.
- Play a key role in translating preclinical findings into clinical-stage therapies, making an impact on the future of personalized cancer treatment.
Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Immunology, Molecular Biology, Cancer Biology, or a related field.
- 3-5 years of postdoctoral or industry experience working with CAR-T cells, TCR-T cells, or other cellular immunotherapies.
- Expertise in flow cytometry, ELISA, ELISpot, and other immunology-based assays.
- Proficiency in molecular biology techniques, including cloning, lentiviral transduction, and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing.
- Experience with cell culture, transfection, and electroporation of primary human T cells.
- Strong analytical skills with experience in data interpretation, particularly for flow cytometry and RNA sequencing data.
- Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively, within a dynamic research environment.
Preferred Attributes:
- A deep understanding of tumor immunology and the tumor microenvironment.
- Experience with in vivo tumor models (xenograft, syngeneic, or PDX) and evaluation of cell therapy efficacy in preclinical settings.
- Proven track record of scientific innovation, demonstrated through publications and/or patents.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot experimental protocols efficiently.