Senior Research Associate - Cell Biology

Oxford Biotherapeutics

We are expanding! Oxford Biotherapeutics is a fast-growing clinical-stage company committed to the discovery and development of novel therapies for cancer. It's a great time to join. We are a well-funded company looking to build on recent success. We are looking for a detail-oriented Senior Research Associate who can work independently and proactively with minimal supervision to generate high-quality data. The successful candidate will be an integral member of the target discovery group. The candidate will be responsible for validating novel oncology targets from Oxford Biotherapeutics target discovery platform - OGAP. Primary responsibilities involve identifying cancer cell lines expressing the selected target by qPCR and confirmation of protein expression. Additional responsibilities involve supporting antibody development and working on pre-clinical programs at Oxford Biotherapeutics. This is an excellent time to grow with the company, an opportunity to learn new skills, and develop your career in a supportive work environment.

Responsibilities

Validates novel cell surface targets from Oxford Biotherapeutics OGAP discovery platform.

Identifies cancer cell lines that express the selected cell surface target. This involves extracting mRNA from cancer cell lines and converting to cDNA, running qPCR experiments, and analyzing data. Rank cancer cell lines based on expression data.

Confirms protein expression on target-positive cell lines by flow cytometry or Western blot.

Uses Crispr-Cas9 editing for gene knock-out in cancer cell lines.

Maintains cancer cell lines using standard cell culture techniques.

Develops and validates primers for qPCR. Runs quality control on primers using multiple validation parameters.

Thoroughly and accurately documents all experiments using electronic laboratory notebook

Designs and executes experimental plans with guidance or minimal supervision; analyzes and records data, establishes laboratory protocols, and contributes to summary reports. Presents data at lab meetings.

Actively contributes to research ideas, experimental design, and assay development.

Encompasses Oxford Biotherapeutics values of innovation, teamwork, and a strong commitment to developing novel therapies for cancer patients.

Isolates PBMC's from whole blood, purifies T cells by immunomagnetic selection, and grows cells in culture.

Supports in-house CAR-T cell program. This includes lentivirus production, transduction, and growing T cells. Performs functional assays, including cytotoxicity assays and measuring cytokine secretion by ELISA.

Requirements

BS/MS degree with 5+ years of experience in molecular biology, immunology, biochemistry, cell biology, or related discipline.

Experience with qPCR is strongly preferred.

Experience designing and validating qPCR primers is strongly preferred.

Experience with basic cell culture techniques is preferred.

Experience with standard immunology techniques (Flow cytometry, ELISA, WB) is optional.

Experience performing transient and stable transfections is optional.

Experience with CAR-T cells is optional.

Ability to trouble-shoot experiments and having a pro-active attitude is strongly preferred.

Being a team player and respectful of others is essential.

Proficient with basic software programs routinely used in the lab such as MS Office, GraphPad Prism, and FlowJo.

Highly organized with reliable time-management skills and able to maintain a detailed electronic notebook.

Effective oral and written communication; clear and concise data presentation in group meetings.