ECS is seeking a ARPA-H Immunoengineering Technical Advisor Technical Advisor to work in our Washington, DC (Hybrid) office. Please Note: This position is contingent upon contract award.

Job Description:

Are you a passionate and innovative biomedical scientist with expertise in bioengineering, immunoengineering, synthetic biology, medical device development, and/or materials science?

The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) recently launched several projects aiming to revolutionize the detection and treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases through advanced immunotherapy methods and technologies. The Targeted Hybrid Oncotherapeutic Regulation (THOR) project aims to improve treatment outcomes for peritoneal cancers, such as ovarian and primary colorectal cancers. THOR plans to leverage several innovative technological and medical advancements to create a device that can trigger a patient’s immune system against tumors by releasing therapeutic molecules, as well as monitor cancer biomarkers. This treatment could save the lives of 180,000 patients whose cancer tumors do not respond to current immunotherapies.

The Synthetic Programmable bacteria for Immune-directed Killing in tumor Environments (SPIKEs) project aims to develop a new class of living cancer immunotherapy that utilizes genetically programmable bacteria designed to sense tumor-associated metabolites as an exquisitely precise homing mechanism and then deliver therapeutic payloads that activate immune-directed killing of solid tumor cells - without the need for the long and costly processes currently used. Bacterial therapeutics carrying programmable genetic circuitry that allows safe tissue targeting, on-demand activation and clearance, and multiple therapeutic functions – including immune cell recruitment, activation, and targeting – represent an innovative, scalable, cost-effective, and accessible treatment modality for cancer.

The Curing the Uncurable via RNA-Encoded Immunogene Tuning (CUREIT) project aims to address immune system dysregulation by directly programming immune cell function. CUREIT will leverage gene-encoded technology to deliver mRNA-based drugs, use lipid nanoparticles to target specific cells, and perform targeted immunomodulation. By successfully treating immune dysregulation, CUREIT could effectively cure autoimmune diseases, cancer, infectious diseases, and transplant rejection.

What you will do:

• Provide technical advisory support to the Program Manager responsible for overseeing these projects.
• Provide technical input and support during the development of reports, presentations, and other materials.
• Participate in meetings and events, providing technical expertise and guidance as needed.
• Conduct technical assessments of the program's progress, identifying potential technical risks and providing recommendations for mitigation strategies.
• Stay current with scientific advancements:
• Stay up-to-date with the latest scientific and technical developments in the field of immunoengineering and related areas, and provide recommendations for incorporating new technologies and techniques into the program.
• Identify and propose emerging methodologies and technologies that could enhance the program's progress.
• Participate in scientific discussions and presentations, contributing your expertise to the program's overall knowledge base.
• Collaborate effectively within a diverse team:
• Build strong relationships with the Program Manager, Performers, and other technical advisors involved in the program.
• Collaborate with external stakeholders, including industry partners, academic institutions, and regulatory agencies, to advance the program's technical objectives.
• Communicate complex scientific concepts clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Actively participate in brainstorming sessions and problem-solving exercises to drive the program forward.

Required Skills:

Who you are:

• Ph.D. or Master’s degree in bioengineering or a closely-related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience acting in a technical role in a relevant field of research (e.g. immunoengineering, synthetic biology, and/or medical device development).
• Strong understanding of the “ARPA Model” used by ARPA-H and DARPA to manage transformative federal research programs.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research, analyze data, and write scientific reports.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong work ethic and a passion for scientific discovery.
• U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency is required per contract.

ECS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, status as a crime victim, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. ECS promotes affirmative action for minorities, women, disabled persons, and veterans.

ECS is a leading mid-sized provider of technology services to the United States Federal Government. We are focused on people, values and purpose. Every day, our 3800 employees focus on providing their technical talent to support the Federal Agencies and Departments of the US Government to serve, protect and defend the American People.