ImmunityBio, Inc. (NASDAQ: IBRX) is a commercial-stage biotechnology company developing cell and immunotherapy products that are designed to help strengthen each patient’s natural immune system, potentially enabling it to outsmart the disease and eliminate cancerous or infected cells. We envision a day when we no longer fear cancer, but can conquer it, thanks to the biological wonder that is the human immune system. Our scientists are working to develop novel therapies that harness that inherent power by amplifying both branches of the immune system, attacking cancerous or infected cells today while building immunological memory for tomorrow. The goal: to reprogram the patient’s immune system and treat the host rather than just the disease.

Why ImmunityBio?
• ImmunityBio is developing cutting-edge technology with the goal to transform the lives of patients with cancer and develop next-generation therapies and vaccines that complement, harness and amplify the immune system to defeat cancers and infectious diseases.
• Opportunity to join a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company with headquarters in Southern California.
• Work with a collaborative team with the ability to work across different areas of the company.
• Ability to join a growing company with professional development opportunities.

Position Summary

The Senior Scientist, Translational Immunology will be responsible to advance the scientific direction for a better understanding of cell therapy products. The role will develop and implement strategies to assess the generation of NK cell therapies (both autologous and allogenic cell therapy) that will be sustained for product development.  Areas of focus for the Senior Scientist will include leukapheresis, NK cell enrichment, immunological characterization and functional attributes of engineered NK-cells. This position will operate in a matrixed environment that spans multiple functions, including Translational Research, Process and Analytical Development, quality control and Manufacturing Operations.

Essential Functions

• Act as Subject Matter Expert to identify opportunities for improvement and growth in NK and T cell research space.
• Contribute to design, development and execution of protocols for T/NKT/NK cell isolation and enrichment.
• Collaborate with different teams to execute product development programs and overcome obstacles with structured troubleshooting methods.
• Design and execute new experimental approaches that assist with continuous improvement of process tools.
• Maintain current knowledge on best-practice biopharmaceutical philosophies and approaches to biological process control and maintain a current understanding of worldwide regulatory expectations.
• Develop new concepts and mechanisms of testing using a translational based approach
• Lead the development of analytical test methods to characterize the NK product quality including flow cytometry-based methods, plate-based reporter, dd-PCR, RT-qPCR and other immunological assays.
• Documentation of observations and data analyses with meticulous attention to detail, according to Good Documentation Practices (GDP), and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) where applicable.
• Prepare reports for internal use, regulatory filings, and tech transfer.
• Author batch records, NK characterization study reports, SOPs and technical documents.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

• Ph.D. with 5+ years of experience or MSc with 7+ years of experience in immunology, cell biology, biochemistry or biological sciences.
• Minimum of 3 years of post-PhD experience in pharmaceutical industry or academic institution with prior scientific and technical leadership responsibility.
• Experience with primary lymphocyte experimentation is required.
• Experience with immune and oncology related cell types including subset of T cells, NK cells, memory T cells, regulatory T cells, NKT cells, and transformed tumor cells.
• Experience with technologies typically employed to assess immune cell growth, dynamics and functional characteristics such as, IncuCyte, dd-PCR, Isolight, ELISpot, flow cytometry, MSD and ELISA.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Comfortable in a fast-paced small company environment with minimal direction and able to adjust workload based upon changing priorities.
• Self-motivated and detail-oriented
• Ability to think critically and demonstrate troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply ICH guidance, cGMP, USP, regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent skill in DOE, Microsoft word, Excel, Jmp, Prism and data analysis

Working Environment / Physical Environment

• This position works in a lab environment.
• This position does bench work in a laboratory.
• Frequently working on a computer for data analysis
• Occasionally lifts 11 – 20 lbs.

$117,000 (entry-level qualifications) to $148,000 (highly experienced)

The application window is anticipated to close on 60 days from when it is posted or sooner if the position is filled or closed.