Associate Director, CAR T and TCR Biology

Company: Celgene
Location: Seattle
Posted on: May 19, 2019

Job Description:

Associate Director, CAR T and TCR Biology Req #: Location: Seattle, Washington, United StatesJob Category: Research and Early DevelopmentWork Location: 400 Dexter Ave N. 98109Organization: Translational MedicineEmployee Status: Full-timeJob Type: Regular The candidate will have responsibility for directing the scientific aspects of preclinical cell therapy (CAR and TCR) drug development programs in Immune Oncology and Cell Therapy Thematic Center of Excellence. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing key strategies for Celgene s Cell Therapy therapeutic area. The candidate will be responsible for managing and mentoring the key personnel responsible for developing our preclinical Cell therapy pipeline. Expertise in lab-based assessment of immunological read-outs and strong knowledge in immunology, adoptive cell therapy and tumor biology is required. The individual will supervise laboratory-based experiments as well as work with internal and external collaborators. Activities include mentoring junior scientists, delivering lead cell therapy development candidates, executing cell therapy strategy, and carrying out mechanism of action studies for our cell therapy products. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following: Development of Celgene s adoptive cell therapy products including CAR and TCR based products, including next-generation products including gene editingDevelop scientific strategy for identifying and evaluating cell therapy drug candidates in preclinical immune oncology assays and modelsManage, develop and mentor scientific staff in design and execution of experiments to evaluate Cell therapy drug candidates including drug candidate screening, lead optimization, mechanism of action, preclinical proof of concept studies, biomarker development and translational studiesOwnership of the preclinical adoptive T cell targeting strategy and execution, including establishing key academic collaborationsWork closely with corporate partners to support preclinical, translational and clinical development of cancer therapeutics, including serving as JRC member.Deliver key insights into challenges of Cellular therapy in solid tumors and insights into how best to address theseServe on internal project teams and committees as scientific functional leadEvaluate and perform due diligence of research programs and technologiesSupervise scientific staff Specific Duties : Supervise and mentor junior Scientists, Associate Scientist(s) and/or Research Associate(s)Lead CAR and TCR biology team meetings, provide scientific guidance and critical analysis of dataDesign and implement in-vitro and ex-vivo assays for evaluating activity and mechanism of action of cell therapy drug candidatesDevelop and implement strategies to translate preclinical data into clinical biomarkers for advancing drug candidates through clinical trialsCritically analyze, interpret, report experimental results; provide insights into research strategiesDevelop and maintain working relationship with partners and relevant academic collaboratorsLead the CAR and TCR biology group in maintaining current awareness in area of expertise; enhance the scientific credibility of Celgene through contributions to the scientific literature (publications/presentations)Responsible for authorship of non-clinical pharmacology study reports, invention disclosures, sections of investigator brochures, IND applications, regulatory annual reports, and other regulatory documentsOversee Discovery Scientists with the development of in-vitro and ex-vivo assays to translate preclinical data into clinical biomarkers for advancing drug candidates through clinical trialsGuide Discovery Scientists and project team members to critically analyze, interpret, report experimental results; draw appropriate conclusions and design next stepsFacilitate cross-functional collaboration within Celgene across TcoEs and functional areasLead presentation of data and provide interpretation at key governance meetingsFunctional/Scientific/Technical Skills (Qualifications):Ph.D. degree in immunology, tumor biology or cellular biology, or pharmacology with at least 3 years of successful post-doctoral experience, evidenced by a strong publication record, plus a minimum of 12 years of successful experience as a scientist preferably in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry settingIn depth experience designing and developing primary immune cell assays for drug candidate evaluation and in-depth understanding of immunologic signaling pathways, especially in CAR and TCR biologyKnowledge of next-generation engineering concepts with regard to cellular therapies, including but not limited to gene editing and use of switch receptors and costim domains. Gene editing expertise in an industrial setting a plus.Expert in scientific research strategies and methods related to biomarker development and patient stratificationExperience with cellular therapy drug development from discovery to IND highly preferredExtensive experience with supervision and mentoring of laboratory scientific staffAbility to design in vitro and in vivo studies with direct translation to drug development, patient stratification and disease indicationExcellent communication and interpersonal skills demonstrated in a team environmentExcellent team building and teamwork skills and ability to interact with and manage research scientists, project teams, outside collaborators and commercial vendorsExperience with evaluation and due diligence of research programs and technologiesDetail-oriented with the ability to identify and implement creative solutions, Ability to prioritize and manage time efficientlyExtensive experience with clinical research and an understanding of the research process, validation, and regulations that apply to clinical investigations and laboratory studies that support regulatory submissions is also highly desirableDiscretion/Latitude:Develops strategies.Accountable for success of strategies.Provides input to develop cross functional policies.Recognized as Subject Matter Expert within function.Develop others.Creativity and Problem Solving:Able to anticipate problems at project level.Proven track record of scientific approach to complex problem solving.Demonstrate in-depth, scientific-directed, innovative thinking.Advises on departmental goals.Recognizes interrelationships of facts/factors, processes, and systems.Recognize risk and propose contingency plans.Teamwork and Influence:Communicates within the larger organization.Develops constructive relationships across organization to achieve the goals of the function and the business through leadership roles on cross-functional/divisional teams.Organizational Impact:Beginning to have impact on the performance of multiple departments.Impact is achieved through leading workgroups and contributing to cross-functional teams.Emerging as a leader who influences culture & values.Behavioral Competencies:Champions changeLeads courageouslyNetworkingProvides directionsStructuring and staffingThinks strategically#LI-POSTAbout UsCOMMITTED TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PATIENTS WORLDWIDEAt Celgene, we seek to deliver truly innovative and life-changing drugs for our patients. Our vision as a company is to build a major global biopharmaceutical corporation while focusing on the discovery, the development, and the commercialization of products for the treatment of cancer and other severe, immune, inflammatory conditions. \"At Celgene, we seek to deliver truly innovative and life-changing drugs for our patients.\"There are more than 300 clinical trials at major medical centers using compounds from Celgene. Investigational compounds are being studied for patients with incurable hematological and solid tumor cancers, including multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), non-Hodgkin s lymphoma (NHL), triple-negative breast cancer and pancreatic cancer. As committed as we are to clinical accomplishment, we are equally committed to patient support, which is a guiding principle at Celgene. We believe all who can benefit from our discoveries should have the opportunity to do so. Celgene puts patients first with industry-leading programs that provide information, support and access to our innovative therapies. Associated topics: biological engineer, biomaterials, biomechanics, biosynthetic, enzyme, fermentation, hereditary, nutrition, parenteral, pharmaceutical

Keywords: Celgene, Seattle , Associate Director, CAR T and TCR Biology, Executive , Seattle, Washington