Overview

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is seeking an experienced PhD-level scientist to join IMPACT, a new pre-clinical research group with the mission to streamline “discovery to translation” of antibody-based immunotherapies for cancer. The IMPACT team will work closely with DFCI PIs as well as external academic and industry partners to design experimental strategies to identify promising antibody ‘hits’ as well as engineering hits to generate potential therapeutic bispecific and CAR T-cell immunotherapies. The candidate should be an exceptionally motivated individual with a passion for working in multidisciplinary teams to design, screen and engineer immunotherapy candidates and advance next-generation therapies.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific and/or technical leadership within multidisciplinary project teams focused on the development of CAR-T or antibody-based immunotherapies.
• Design experiments to characterize (i.e. binding, function, developability, etc.) of antibody-based binders used to generate CAR-Ts and multispecifics
• Engineer and optimize logic-gated and/or multispecific CAR and antibody designs.
• Evaluate novel approaches to antibody and CAR-T screening including the construction of candidate libraries and high-throughput pooled or arrayed screening approaches that leverage the use of automation.
• Design and execute workflows for producing and functionally screening antibodies and CAR-T candidates to identify leads for clinical translation.
• Collaborate with team members across groups and mentor junior lab members to implement best practices for the operation and maintenance of immunotherapy production, screening and engineering platforms.
• Co-author technical reports and manuscripts for publication and/or present at internal and external meetings.
• Operate and maintain laboratory instruments related to the production, characterization and engineering of antibodies and CARs.

Qualifications

• PhD with experience in antibody screening, engineering and/or CAR-T engineering preferred. A candidate with a M.S. degree and substantial experience (i.e. >7 years) may also be considered for this role. Industry research experience is a plus.
• 6 years experience post education.
• One year Management responsibility.
• Strong track record, hands-on experience, and in-depth knowledge of label-free binding technologies like SPR or BLI and/or developability screening of antibodies.
• Previous hands-on experience engineering antibody and/or CAR-T candidates and executing key functional assays for candidate screening (i.e. assessments of cytotoxicity, tonic signaling, developability, etc.).
• Exceptionally self-motivated.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and troubleshooting skills as well as an ability to work with a wide variety of collaborators.
• Outstanding planning, organizational, multi-tasking skills.
• Must consider attention to detail a strength.
• Ability to work within a fast-paced team environment.

Only applicants that submit a cover letter and a detailed CV will be considered. Following a pre-screen interview, candidate will be requested to provide the contact information for three references as well.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other groups as protected by law.

EEOC Poster