Research Associate Scientist - Mosse & Weber Labs

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia•Philadelphia, PA

56d

About The Position

This role is an independent researcher that plans, coordinates and executes research projects. Works with the principal, investigator. Participates in and assists in the planning and coordination of research projects. Is independent and responsible for a specific aspect of one or more research project. Assists in determining the direction of the project. About the Laboratory We seek an innovative research associate scientist to join a dynamic research team developing next-generation CAR T cell therapies targeting pediatric solid tumors. The successful candidate will engage in cutting-edge molecular and cellular immunotherapy research, including genetic engineering, functional evaluation of CAR T cells, and preclinical testing in relevant in vitro and in vivo models. Dr. Mossé is a physician-scientist who has focused for two+ decades on the childhood cancer neuroblastoma with the dual goals of improving patient outcomes and using the disease as a model to understand cancer in general. The Mossé laboratory (https://www.research.chop.edu/people/yael-p-mosse) is comprised of a multi-disciplinary team focused on translating basic laboratory discoveries into new effective therapies for children with solid tumors. Her program is largely focused on genetic susceptibility, somatic mutations and clonal evolution, mechanisms of therapy resistance, immuno-oncology, drug development, and clinical trials. A new Scientist joining the team will be responsible for advancing knowledge about cancer through various research activities, including designing experiments, conducting studies, analyzing data, and communicating findings. This individual should be passionate about cancer research, eager to test new hypotheses in the field of immune-oncology, excited about access to patient samples as gifts for the research and motivated to participate in grant writing to secure funding for research projects and to draft manuscripts. We have a highly collaborative environment and are seeking someone who will be a good fit for our research program and who will enjoy mentoring and supervising junior researchers and lab technicians. We are looking for someone who has the natural ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment, with strong problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities. Dr. Weber is an Assistant Professor at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine who is working to uncover molecular programs that drive human CAR-T cell dysfunction, identify targets for therapeutic intervention, and inform universal strategies that improve CAR-T cell efficacy in cancer patients. Moreover, the Weber lab has a vibrant, inclusive, and interdisciplinary team to tackle pediatric cancer through the development of more efficacious T cell therapies. We are seeking a postdoctoral fellow to develop novel approaches to enhance chimeric antigen receptor (CAR-T) cell therapeutics through transcriptional and epigenetic reprogramming. Utilizing an array of pharmacologic, gene-editing, and bioengineering approaches, we aim to identify and modulate transcriptional and epigenetic pathways that redirect human T cells towards more therapeutic cell states. Multi-omics analyses on experimental and patient CAR-T cells will enable us to link epigenetic features to cell phenotype, function, and patient outcomes, thereby informing our T cell engineering efforts.

Requirements

At least seven (7) years of directly relevant post grad scientific lab experience - Required
Expert knowledge in the use of a wide variety of lab techniques, research equipment and research related software
Excellent verbal and written communications skills
Excellent organizational skills
Excellent critical thinking / problem-solving skills
Excellent analytical skills
Solid interpersonal skills
Basic leadership skills
Bachelor's Degree - Required

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and advanced cell therapy development techniques.
Experience with bioinformatics analysis, next-generation sequencing, or epigenetic profiling is a plus.
Knowledge of pediatric solid tumor biology and translational cellular therapies.
At least nine (9) years of directly relevant post grad scientific lab experience - Preferred
Successful completion of a Post Doc Fellowship - Preferred
Master's Degree - Preferred
Doctorate - Preferred

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and optimize genetically engineered CAR T cells for improved tumor targeting and persistence.
Perform molecular cloning, lentiviral vector production, T cell transduction, and functional assays.
Conduct in vitro experiments and use clinically relevant mouse models to evaluate CAR T cell efficacy and safety.
Analyze experimental data, maintain accurate records in electronic laboratory notebooks, and prepare findings for publication and presentations.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including immunologists, clinicians, and bioinformaticians.
Mentor junior lab members and contribute to grant writing and progress reporting.
Assists faculty in the conduct of research of significant value in the basic and/or translational science area
Plans, conducts research projects within the federal, institutional regulations and policies
Collaborates with researchers, external agencies and institutions to develop cooperative research initiatives
Trains technical staff, students in lab procedures
Reviews manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals
Assists with the submission of grant applications, contracts and research projects funding
Participates in free discussion, research progress, and overall morale
Responsible for appropriate use of research funds
May supervise students or other research staff as assigned