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Senior Scientist Cell Engager Therapies IO Biology and In Vivo lead

Employer
Takeda Pharmaceutical
Location
Morris Plains, New Jersey, US
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
Dec 16, 2021

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Sector
Academic / Research
Field
Conservation science
Discipline
Biology
Salary Type
Salary
Employment Type
Full time
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Job Description

OBJECTIVES/PURPOSE

The Cell Engager team of the Oncology DDU is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Immunologist or Cancer pharmacologist to join a very collaborative and dynamic team to help advance the cell enagager pipeline programs. This position will be responsible for the in vivo/exvivo evaluation of various cell enagager molecules linked to the COBRA platform and beyond to assess T and innate cell functional responses and/or differentiation. The candidate will focus on the development of in vivo strategies, preclinical assays and screens that provide framework for the evaluation of various cell engager entities and dysfunctional states of cytotoxic T cells particularly in solid tumors. The successful candidate must have a strong foundation in redirected T cell immunity and hands-on experience in their evaluation in various pre-clincal in vivo model systems and track record of success in IO drug discovery. The interested candidate must have experience working with cross functional teams and the ability to move candidates through lead selection. As a key member of the team, the candidate will be responsible for new target validation, prioritization of therapeutic target selection, assessing therapeutic concepts and strategy of various immune engager molecules and advancing novel research molecues towards development candidates and IND. The position will require the individual to be hands-on, working closely and mentoring junior staff. The individual will collaborate and demonstrate effective communication and documentation of results with key stakeholders in IOI, C2H, Global Biologics, DSRE, DMPK, Translational teams and CTI. Ideal applicant will be team-oriented, possess excellent communication and organizational skills.

ACCOUNTABILITIES
  • Design and manage preclinical in vivo pharmacology studies including efficacy, pharmacokinetic and biomarker studies, as well as toxicology studies (in collaboration iwth DMPK/DSRE)
  • Perform translational research studies focusing on patient stratification, biomarker identification, disease indication, and dual targeting strategies.
  • Works closely with ITT team to develop research grade immunohistochemistry methods to identify and quantitate target expression in tumor and normal tissue.
  • Serve as the in vivo strategy lead on therapeutic T cell re-targeting programs from target validation through to candidate selection, and into Phase 1 clinical trials.
  • Engage in new idea generation and prioritization of tumor antigen selection
  • Provide hands-on technical execution of studies
  • Provide study design and effective protocol development with CROs for successful execution of appropriate in vivo models and ex vivo analysis for evaluation of various cell engager pdts.
  • Develop, approve, and distribute study-related documents and other study tools
  • Oversee study planning, initiation, and study-closure processes
  • Create metrics, complete data analysis, study reports and presentations
  • Work in close collaboration with ODDU's key point of contacts for CROs and facilitate communication across departments, providing relevant information
  • Identify and integrate technologies that improve or expand the ability to assess the MoA of novel immunomodulatory agents
  • Collaborates/guide junior staff for Immunephenotyping and gene profiling experiments using a variety of techniques including but not limited to mRNA profiling, multicolor flow cytometry etc.
  • Executes experiments with independence and delivers comprehensive high quality data sets to enable decision making
  • Identify state of the art experimental protocols and relevant IO models and assays
  • Keeps up with published literature centered around cancer targets and IO therapies relevant to the Takeda's CE strategy
  • Identifies, plans and executes well defined scientific projects and communicates program strategy and timelines to management.
  • Utilizes relevant information, technology and resources, contributing to complex team problem resolution and objectives
  • Leads from the bench by providing direct supervision and mentoring to junior scientists
  • Contribute to the writing of relevant research reports to be included in regulatory filings.
  • Ability to multi-task effectively and prioritize workload
  • Interprets results of complex experiments
  • Prepares and presents comprehensive technical or project reports and formal presentations / posters to full range of internal/external audiences
  • Maintain laboratory notebooks and keep in compliance with Takeda policies
  • Demonstrates theoretical knowledge of cell engager platforms
  • Keeps current with emerging trends in immne cell engagers for application in cancer therapy
  • Able to clarify requests and provide suggestions and put data into context especially in context of assay design and quality of data
  • Demonstrates in-depth technical knowledge within various assay development platforms
  • Indepently investigates new immunological techniques, that can be applied to team projects
  • Serves as the in vivo immunobiology lead on projects provinding key scientific feedback to advance programs in a matrixed environment.
  • Independently manages own workload
  • Scientifically independent
  • Provides information to project teams to influence direction, align with departmental goals and/or business
  • Conducts scientific presentations to internal audiences
  • Collaborates with others across sites, and acts as scientific resource for in vitro pharmacology
  • Participates in and supervises external interactions and collaborations with companies and academic research groups and potential collaborator
  • Expected to participate in new target identification / validation process
  • Strives towards expanding scientific knowledge in immunology
  • Receives high level instructions on work; determines methods on new assignments; demonstrated greater independence; may manage interns


EDUCATION, BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:
  • PhD 3+ years, MS with 9+ BS with 11+ years experience (industry experience preferred), Cancer Pharmacology, Immuno-oncology, T cell biology
  • Current knowledge of oncology research, drug discovery and development with an emphasis on immune cell activation, T cell retargeting platforms, protocols as well as markers for anti-tumor efficacy
  • Experience in in vivo tumor biology and model development is required.
  • Proficient with xenograft, syngeneic and PDX models for screening IO therapies
  • Proficient in the isolation, culture, and functional characterization of primary human immune cells.
  • Highly skilled with multiparameter FACS and its application in measuring T cell activation, proliferation, cytokine production and identification of immune cell subsets
  • Has experience with standard molecular biology techniques (PCR, Gibson assembly, cloning etc), ELISA, MSD and other standard cell based and non-cell based biochemical assays
  • Experience with biologics is a must (Antibodies, ADCs, Cell therapeis etc)
  • Experience leading projects sub teams and working with cross functional teams
  • Understanding of various in vitro cell based assays including but not limited to effector function activity, binding, internalization, proliferation, reporter cell assays, etc is prefered
  • A demonstrated track record of independent critical thinking and scientific achievement
  • Use of scientific databases and application for data management and data analysis (Graph Pad Prism, Soft Max Pro, Office 365, FlowJo etc)
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills,
  • Excellent team player with a can-do attitude with an ability to thrive in a dynamic "biotech- like" environment and work in cross-functional project teams
  • Self-motivated, collaborative with excellent time management and organizational skills


EEO Statement

Takeda is proud in its commitment to creating a diverse workforce and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, genetic information or characteristics, marital status, status as a Vietnam era veteran, special disabled veteran, or other protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, and any other characteristic protected by law.

Locations

Boston, MA

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time

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