Scientist, Discovery

POSITION SUMMARY

Umoja is seeking a Scientist to join the Discovery Research team. This position will provide scientific technical leadership in delivering both routine IND-enabling studies, and studies exploring novel CAR T product concepts. This position entails initiating, designing, executing, analyzing, and communicating medium-sized projects consisting of several related experiments. A successful candidate will have experience with in vitro CAR-T assays (e.g. cell growth, cytokine production, cytotoxicity, and phenotypic analysis), and high-throughput screening methods that leverage genome editing (e.g. CRISPR).

This is a fully onsite role based out of our Seattle, WA location.

CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES

Specific responsibilities include:  

• Lead by demonstrating high standards for experiment design, execution, documentation, analysis, and communication.

• Solve moderately complex technical problems pertaining to product, experiment, and assay design.
• Perform experimental design, execution, data analysis, and reporting of results for IND-enabling studies.
• Design and implement novel screening campaigns to explore new product functionalities.
• Execute routine CAR T cell functional assays and assay development (MSD, flow cytometry, Incucyte®) as needed by the department.

• Author reports with clear and concise figures and messaging.
• Audit Benchling entries and perform data verification.

• Collaborate closely with adjacent departments.
• Proactively communicate activities, issues, and ideas to the team and serve as a subject matter expert on program teams as needed.
• Identify opportunities for product and assay improvements.
• Maintain familiarity with current scientific literature, maintain and update knowledge of CAR T biology, vector biology, and immunology.

The successful candidate will have:

• PhD/MS/BS in Biological Science, Immunology or related discipline with at least 0+/8+/10+ years of relevant work experience respectively
• Expertise with platforms used for T cell analysis including the MSD, Incucyte, dPCR, and Attune/Aurora (or other flow cytometers).
• Experience with high-throughput screening methodologies.

• Extensive experience with experimental design, planning, execution, and basic data analysis
• Strong team communication and collaboration skills, along with self-motivation to contribute to the development of novel cancer immunotherapies
• Ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced, cross-functional and dynamic environment

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Strong analytical capability
• Excels as both a team member and individual contributor
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Experience with data analysis with JMP, R, and/or python
• Experience with INTEGRA pipetting equipment

• Experience working with electronic lab notebooks
• Experience with regulatory filings

Physical Requirements:  

• 100% compliance with personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements in biological laboratory environments for wet lab work, including gloves, protective clothing, and eye safety glasses.
• Perform physical tasks required for the role, including standing, walking, bending, kneeling, sitting, working your hands in a biosafety cabinet, and occasionally moving materials up to 50 pounds.
• Project-oriented work in this role will require regular on-site presence (5 days/week) to complete essential job-related functions.

Salary Range: $123,250 - $152,250