Senior Scientist

About Exogene

Exogene is an early-stage biotechnology startup developing T-cell-receptor (TCR)-based therapies to tackle solid cancers and reverse immune aging, by combining artificial intelligence (AI) and high-throughput TCR screening in the lab. We’re building an AI platform to engineer high-affinity and non-cross-reactive TCRs and develop transformative TCR-based therapies.

Our investors include Selvedge Venture, LifeArc Ventures, R42 Group, KQ Labs and Entrepreneur First amongst others.

Job Description

We are looking for a highly motivated Senior Scientist to lead the development of our TCR engineering workflow, including in vitro TCR screening assays and cellular TCR analysis assays. These assays will serve to generate training data, validate our AI platform and discover high-affinity TCRs.

The candidate will support the advancement of innovative TCR-based therapies by using a variety of research methods including cell line engineering, mammalian cell culture, standard molecular biology techniques and cell-based screening assays.

The ideal candidate should be a fast learner who can work collaboratively and have a positive attitude when facing challenges. We’re looking for an experienced scientist who is fundamentally excited about working for an early-stage biotech at the cutting-edge of AI and TCR-based therapies!

Responsibilities

  • You will work with a team of scientists to 1) engineer TCRs for pipeline targets and, 2) discover and characterise disease targets for TCRs of interest.
  • You will contribute to setting up and using high-throughput TCR display technologies and deep sequencing to analyse the antigen specificity of TCRs.
  • You will perform cell line engineering tasks including generating knock-out mammalian cell lines using e.g. CRISPR-Cas9.
  • You will perform molecular biology tasks including cloning, mutagenesis, DNA isolation and library preparation for deep sequencing.
  • You will perform tissue culture tasks including media preparation, maintenance of cell lines and cryopreservation of cell cultures (e.g., T-cell lines).
  • You will assist in blood and/or tissue preparation for immune cell isolation and flow cytometric analysis.
  • You will assist in writing/revising/maintaining lab protocols.
  • You will provide routine lab support and perform lab maintenance activities.
  • You will contribute to further establishing and developing our company culture.

Skills and Qualifications

  • PhD in Immunology, Cell Biology or related discipline, with 3+ years of relevant hands-on lab experience.
  • Previous cell culture experience including primary cell culture from both blood and tissue samples is required.
  • Experience with flow cytometry and other immune related assays is required.
  • Experience with cell line genetic engineering (using e.g. CRISPR-Cas9) is preferred.
  • Experience with single-cell TCR sequencing is preferred.
  • Experience with R or similar for NGS data processing and analysis is desired.
  • Experience with NGS workflow is desired.
  • Experience with documentation of SOPs is desired.
  • Attention to detail and accuracy in lab work, record keeping, and lab documentation.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Attributes

  • Can work independently, generate, analyse and interpret data with scientific rigour and an open mind.
  • Can comfortably work well with their team members in the laboratory, and provide and receive constructive feedback when required.
  • Can lead and plan a scientific project, and independently liaise with external suppliers and service providers.
  • Can troubleshoot critical issues or problems, and determine causes and possible solutions.
  • Can exercise good time management and prioritisation skills and can successfully manage multiple tasks simultaneously to meet project goals.
  • Can adapt quickly and work effectively in a highly cross-functional team environment.

What We Offer

  • Competitive salary
  • 25 days holidays + public holidays + your birthday off!
  • Fully operative private lab at the BioEscalator
  • Option to work from home when not required on-site
  • Supportive, interdisciplinary and collaborative environment

How to apply

Please send your CV and cover letter (max 400 words) to m.hasan at exogene.co.uk

Equal Opportunities Employer

At Exogene, we believe in getting as many points of view as possible – we support and celebrate diversity in our workforce, and we hire and promote regardless of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation. We strongly encourage women and minorities to apply. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer.