Role: Senior Scientist – Cellular Immunology

Keywords: cellular immunology, T cell, TCR, MHC, vaccines, immunology.

Team:R&D, Translational Research Team, Cellular Immunology.

Start date:Immediate

Period:Full time, permanent

Location:London Bioscience Innovation Centre in King’s Cross, London (On-site)

About us

Baseimmune is a discovery stage biotechnology start-up focused on revolutionising vaccine development through advanced computational antigen design. Founded by the team that pioneered computational vaccines at the Jenner Institute University of Oxford, our mission is to harness the fields of data science, machine learning and computational biology within a multi-disciplinary team to redefine cross-protective and mutation-proof vaccines.

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Cellular Immunologist to join the growing lab team at Baseimmune and be a core member of the Translational Research Team responsible for Cellular Immunology workflows and vaccine development. This is a lab-based role that requires a combination of scientific and technical expertise in the field of cell immunology and T cell biology, including MHC antigen processing and TCR function. The role offers the opportunity to work in an innovative and fast-paced research environment, in a growing biotechnology company, where your contributions will directly impact and shape the development of groundbreaking vaccines.

You will provide and apply your cellular immunology expertise to the design, validation, optimisation and execution of cell-based assays required to evaluate our innovative antigen design platforms and characterise T cell responses (quantitatively, qualitatively and functionally) from immunised animal models. You will actively participate in the execution of translational research, design and lead programmes, contribute to strategy and design of the pipeline, and mentor junior staff. The ideal candidate should have a strong knowledge of T cell immunology and should be confident in a range of applied immunology assays, including ELISpots, flow cytometry, T-cell activation assays, cytokine assays and mammalian cell transfection/transduction.

The position is also open to candidates at the scientist level who possess the required skills and profile, and are seeking to grow into the role, final decision will be following the interview process and based on the level of skills and working experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Development of robust testing platforms to inform and validate antigen design for T cell responses, MHC I and MHC II-mediated presentation and vaccine design.
• To conceptualise, design, develop and execute T cell-based functionality assays using primary cells, cell lines, etc; to determine and characterise T cell activation and phenotype following immunisation as part of our preclinical evaluation pipeline; including at least some of the following: ELISpots, T-cell expansion assay, CTL assays, cytokine secretion/expression and flow cytometry assays. Proficiency in the execution and development of IFN-γ ELISpots from primary T cells is expected.
• Cell culture (propagation, isolation, banking and characterisation) of cell lines and primary cells, including processing of immune tissues.
• Collaborating effectively with other functions within the Translational Research team to support and assist their research activities as needed (according to your experience and/or following adequate training and supervision), including supporting the training and mentoring of junior research staff.
• Maintain detailed records and analysis of experimental procedures, observations, and results in compliance with data integrity procedures and contribute to the preparation of study reports and presentations in a timely and accurate manner.
• Contribute to good laboratory principals, health and safety practices in the lab, including routine cleaning, maintenance, housekeeping responsibilities, as well as writing and reviewing of risk assessments and SOPs as needed.

Required Qualifications and Skills

Qualifications

• A PhD in T cell biology or cellular immunology with at least 2 years of relevant post-doctoral experience in academia and/or industry; OR a PhD in a relevant subject (e.g. immunology) with equivalent T-cell experience gained in academia or industry post-PhD.
• Hold a Home Office Personal Licence, PIL A-C with rodents OR willingness to obtain one and work within vivomodels.

Technical Skills and Experience

• Experience in T cell biology (e.g. activation, TCR function, differentiation, cytokine secretion, cytotoxicity, etc), and development and optimisation of analytical and functional cell-based assays to assess activation, potency, etc.
• Experience inin vitroandex vivoassays to assess cellular immune responses in human and/or animal T cells, including IFN-γ ELISpots, cytokine production, cell expansion, intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) and CTL assays.
• Experience with handling, manipulation, and characterisation of T cells (primary, cell lines, IPSC-derived).
• Experience with high-parameter flow cytometry based-assays.

Leadership and Soft Skills

• Experience leading projects under limited supervision, and co-ordinating the work of other team members.
• Team-oriented personality, able to build strong relationships in a diverse environment, work effectively as part of a collaborative team, but also execute tasks independently when needed.
• Able to ensure reproducible and transferable work through appropriate procedures and documentation.
• Inclusive, collaborative, and thrives in a team environment with a flexible approach to working and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment, across different projects and areas.
• Effective communication skills with the confidence and judgement to challenge appropriately.
• Analytical and ambitious personality, able to proactively apply knowledge, structured problem-solving skills, and creative thinking in driving the project forwards and helping others.
• A can-do attitude and excellent attention to detail, organisation and record-keeping skills.

Desired Qualifications and Skills

• Experience with handling, manipulation and characterisation of other immune cells (primary, cell lines, IPSC-derived).
• Experience in cell and molecular biology techniques including cloning, DNA amplification in bacteria, transfection, etc.
• Hands-on experience in design, production, characterisation and use of lentiviral vectors.
• Experience with CRISPR based editing technology to generate stable cell lines (KO and/or KI).
• Experience in TCR and/or MHC engineering.
• Direct hands-on laboratory experience in testing and developing of biologics or vaccines, or within the field of infectious diseases.
• Experience in developing multicolour flow cytometry assays applied to immunophenotyping.

What we offer

• Competitive starting salary
• Central London location for lab and office
• Private medical, dental and optical health insurance
• Opportunities for career growth and professional development
• 26 days holiday leave + bank holidays
• Enhanced sick pay
• Family friendly policies, including enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Pension plan (5% employer contribution)

Please note that Baseimmune does not provide visa sponsorship for this position. Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK without requiring employer sponsorship. We encourage all eligible candidates to apply and regret that we are unable to consider candidates who require visa sponsorship currently.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion in our workplace.

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