Vector Development & Genetic Engineering Construct Design Lead, Cell Therapy

Weill Cornell Medical College•New York, NY

About The Position

We are seeking a motivated team leader with deep expertise in viral and non-viral vector and genetic construct design to drive next-generation gene delivery strategies in a fast-paced, collaborative, and delivery-focused clinical translation research environment. The lead will establish a cutting-edge research group and platform innovations for the design of lentiviral vectors, transposon-based architectures, and mRNA-based delivery systems for applications spanning functional genomics, cell engineering, and therapeutic development of T cell therapies. The ideal candidate will combine deep technical engineering expertise with strategic leadership to translate biological objectives into high-performance genetic constructs. The role operates at the interface of academia and biotech, combining hypothesis-driven research with milestone-oriented execution. It offers access to cutting-edge genomic technologies and collaborative expertise, with an emphasis on rapid iteration, data-driven decision making, and translational impact.

Requirements

PhD in Molecular Biology, Virology, Genetic Engineering, Synthetic Biology, or a related field.
10+ years of relevant postdoctoral and/or industry experience in gene delivery systems or advanced molecular cloning.
Proven track record of designing and implementing complex genetic constructs.
Deep knowledge of lentiviral vector biology and design, including multi-plasmid systems and safety features.
Expertise in plasmid architecture, including promoters such as EF1α, CMV, and CAG; enhancers; insulators; and post-transcriptional regulatory elements.
Experience designing mRNA constructs for transient expression and delivery optimization.
Strong understanding of transposon systems and stable integration strategies.
Proficiency with DNA design software and sequence analysis tools such as SnapGene, Benchling, and Geneious.
Familiarity with gene expression tuning, including codon optimization, RNA stability, and translational efficiency.
Ability to interpret NGS and Sanger sequencing data for construct validation.
Engineering-driven approach to biological problem solving.
High attention to detail in sequence-level design.
Ability to balance innovation with practical constraints.
Strong communication and presentation skills.
Passion for scientific innovation, cell therapy discovery, and development.

Nice To Haves

Experience with CRISPR/Cas systems, including multiplexed guide RNA architectures and delivery strategies.
Background in cell therapy, gene therapy, or genome engineering applications.
Familiarity with non-viral delivery systems such as LNPs for mRNA.
Exposure to scale-up considerations and translational/regulatory frameworks.
Experience leading multidisciplinary scientific teams.
Ability to work in a highly collaborative, engaged, and fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

Design, build, and optimize plasmid constructs for lentiviral vector systems, including transfer, packaging, and envelope components and multi-gene cargos.
Engineer self-inactivating (SIN) lentiviral backbones, optimizing elements such as LTRs, ψ (psi) packaging signal, RRE, cPPT/CTS, and WPRE.
Design and implement optimized transposon-based systems, including donor vector architecture (ITRs/TIRs), multi-cargo optimization, and transposase delivery strategies.
Architect expression systems with precise control over gene expression, including constitutive, inducible, cell-type-specific, or multiplexed designs.
Evaluate constraints such as payload size, recombination risk, silencing, and integration profiles across delivery platforms.
Develop and refine mRNA delivery constructs, optimizing UTRs, codon usage, modified nucleotides, cap structures, and poly(A) tail configurations for enhanced stability and translation.
Evaluate emerging delivery modalities and synthetic biology approaches to contribute to strategic direction and next-generation capabilities.
Provide leadership and guidance, implement vector development strategies, anticipate risks to timelines and deliverables, and provide mitigation strategies.
Partner and align with cross-functional teams to integrate learnings and advance gene therapy initiatives.
Mentor and develop scientists and staff, promoting scientific rigor, collaboration, independent thinking, and career advancement.
Oversee the authoring and review of technical and regulatory documents.