Assistant Lead, TCR-T-cell Engineering and Translation

Location: Upper East Side | Org Unit: MCC Laboratories | Weekly Hours: 35.00 | Exemption Status: Exempt

About the role

The Assistant Lead, T-cell receptor (TCR) T cell Engineering and Translation will lead the development of next-generation TCR-engineered T-cell therapies and support their clinical translation. The role will provide scientific leadership for a multidisciplinary subteam while driving innovation and execution across multiple projects, advancing discoveries from concept through preclinical validation toward first-in-human clinical studies.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multidisciplinary research subteam, contribute to innovation, experimental strategy, and translation of discoveries
• Lead the development of cutting-edge approaches for precision TCR-T cell engineering to create highly potent, durable and safe personalized TCR-T cell products
• Develop clinically actionable viral and non-viral strategies to generate ex vivo engineered TCR-T cells
• Develop clinically actionable viral and non-viral strategies for in vivo T cell engineering
• Guide vector architecture decisions (promoter selection, payload constraints, safety switches, expression tuning) for the above strategies
• Design & perform in vitro & in vivo studies testing the biological properties of personalized TCR-T cell product candidates in model systems, including ex vivo and in vivo T cell engineering
• Integrate pharmacology, safety, & mechanism-of-action datasets
• Define preclinical strategy aligned with regulatory expectations (biodistribution, persistence, safety risk assessment)
• De-risk candidates prior to formal CMC engagement
• Facilitate cross-functional communication and activity between laboratory teams in TCR discovery, T cell translation, vector development and clinical translation
• Mentor and develop junior scientists and staff, promote scientific rigor, collaboration, independent thinking, and career advancement
• Operate with highest integrity and ethics, conduct all experiments following lab, department, and college policies and procedures
• Collect and analyze experimental results, maintain detailed and accurate record-keeping
• Assist in grant writing and the preparation of research reports
• Prepare scientific abstracts and articles, publish results in research journals, and present findings at conferences

Requirements

• PhD in Immunology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology or related field
• Minimum of 10+ years in translational immunology, cell and gene therapy
• Prior experience in T cell engineering and therapeutics research
• Demonstrated experience working with multidisciplinary scientific teams
• Strong background in T cell biology, cell and/or gene therapy research

Skills

• Highly organized and detail-oriented with excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work in a highly engaged and fast-paced environment
• Passionate about scientific innovation, drug discovery and development

Working conditions

Ability to work flexible hours, evenings and weekends, when requested for special projects.

Pay

Salary range: $128,700.00 - $146,100.00 (as required under NYC Human Rights Law Int 1208-2018 for NYC offices)

Schedule

Full-time, 35 hours per week, exempt position.