T-Cell Engineering Scientist - Cell Therapy Discovery and Translational Science Program

Mayo Clinic•Jacksonville, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Mayo Clinic in Florida invites applications for an open-rank faculty position for an accomplished and innovative T-Cell Engineering Scientist to join the expanding Cell Therapy Discovery and Translational Science Program. This strategic recruitment supports Mayo Clinic’s commitment to advancing next-generation engineered T-cell therapies for cancer and selected immune-mediated diseases. We seek a highly creative investigator with expertise in T-cell engineering, CAR-T development, TCR-based therapies, and Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte (TIL) platforms to develop and translate novel cellular immunotherapy strategies. The successful candidate will lead efforts to identify and validate new T-cell targets, engineer enhanced CAR and TCR constructs, and optimize TIL-based therapeutic approaches with improved specificity, persistence, safety, and efficacy. This role will play a central part in accelerating translational immune cell therapy efforts, bridging discovery science with IND-enabling development and early-phase clinical trials. Strategic Role and Scientific Focus The T-Cell Engineering Scientist will: Lead discovery and validation of novel targets for CAR-T, TCR-engineered T cells, and TIL-based therapies across hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Develop strategies to enhance TIL expansion, persistence, functional fitness, and tumor reactivity, including genetic modification approaches to overcome exhaustion and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments. Engineer and optimize CAR constructs, co-stimulatory domains, synthetic circuits, safety switches, and multiplex gene editing strategies to enhance therapeutic performance. Advance next-generation approaches such as armored CAR-T cells, logic-gated systems, dual-target strategies, universal/allogeneic platforms, and genetically enhanced TIL therapies. Collaborate closely with genome editing scientists, tumor immunologists, translational investigators, GMP manufacturing teams, and clinical trial leaders to move engineered T-cell therapies into clinical testing. Contribute to building scalable discovery pipelines for antigen identification, functional screening, and preclinical validation. Participate in multidisciplinary team science initiatives across Mayo Clinic campuses. The successful candidate will help shape an integrated T-cell therapy strategy encompassing CAR-T, TCR, and TIL platforms, strengthening Mayo Clinic Florida’s leadership in immune cell therapy innovation. Research Environment Mayo Clinic Florida provides a collaborative, multidisciplinary academic medical center environment with strategic investment in cancer immunotherapy and cell therapy translation. Faculty benefit from: Established CAR-T and immune cell therapy clinical programs Growing infrastructure supporting TIL therapy development and clinical implementation State-of-the-art cell manufacturing and GMP facilities Institutional core resources including genomics, single-cell sequencing, proteomics, bioinformatics, and advanced imaging Disease-focused research centers supporting oncology and immune-mediated disease programs Cross-campus collaboration opportunities with Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and Arizona Dedicated support for regulatory strategy, IND-enabling studies, and early-phase clinical trial development The selected candidate will join a rapidly expanding ecosystem designed to accelerate discovery-to-clinic translation of engineered T-cell therapies. Why Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic is top-ranked in more specialties than any other care provider according to U.S. News & World Report. As we work together to put the needs of the patient first, we are also dedicated to our employees, investing in competitive compensation and comprehensive benefit plans [https://jobs.mayoclinic.org/benefits/] – to take care of you and your family, now and in the future. And with continuing education and advancement opportunities at every turn, you can build a long, successful career with Mayo Clinic. Benefits Highlights Medical: Multiple plan options. Dental: Delta Dental or reimbursement account for flexible coverage. Vision: Affordable plan with national network. Pre-Tax Savings: HSA and FSAs for eligible expenses. Retirement: Competitive retirement package to secure your future. Just as our reputation has spread beyond our Minnesota roots, so have our locations. Today, our employees are located at our three major campuses in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, Jacksonville, Florida, Rochester, Minnesota, and at Mayo Clinic Health System campuses throughout Midwestern communities, and at our international locations. Each Mayo Clinic location is a special place where our employees thrive in both their work and personal lives. Learn more about what each unique Mayo Clinic campus has to offer, and where your best fit is. [https://jobs.mayoclinic.org/alllocations] Equal Opportunity All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status or disability status. Learn more about the "EOE is the Law" [https://www.eeoc.gov/poster]. Mayo Clinic participates in E-Verify [https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/EVerifyParticipationPoster.pdf] and may provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Requirements

Expertise in T-cell engineering
CAR-T development
TCR-based therapies
Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte (TIL) platforms

Responsibilities

Lead discovery and validation of novel targets for CAR-T, TCR-engineered T cells, and TIL-based therapies across hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.
Develop strategies to enhance TIL expansion, persistence, functional fitness, and tumor reactivity, including genetic modification approaches to overcome exhaustion and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments.
Engineer and optimize CAR constructs, co-stimulatory domains, synthetic circuits, safety switches, and multiplex gene editing strategies to enhance therapeutic performance.
Advance next-generation approaches such as armored CAR-T cells, logic-gated systems, dual-target strategies, universal/allogeneic platforms, and genetically enhanced TIL therapies.
Collaborate closely with genome editing scientists, tumor immunologists, translational investigators, GMP manufacturing teams, and clinical trial leaders to move engineered T-cell therapies into clinical testing.
Contribute to building scalable discovery pipelines for antigen identification, functional screening, and preclinical validation.
Participate in multidisciplinary team science initiatives across Mayo Clinic campuses.