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Waypoint Bio

Scientist / Senior Scientist, Genomics

Waypoint Bio, New York, New York, United States

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Scientist / Senior Scientist, Genomics Full-time position Competitive compensation (Salary, Benefits & Options) 430 E 29th Street, New York Waypoint Bio

is a venture-backed biotech startup building the next generation of cell therapies for solid tumors and autoimmune diseases. Traditional cell therapy development faces a trade-off between

in vitro

approaches that are fast but inaccurate, and

in vivo

approaches that are accurate but slow and expensive. Using our proprietary platform combining spatial biology, pooled screening,

in silico

protein engineering, and machine learning, we can obtain both depth and breadth when screening cell therapy candidates – speed without compromising on

in vivo

accuracy. Our team is highly collaborative, interdisciplinary, and shares the mission of developing novel immune cell therapies to benefit patients' lives. Position Summary: We are seeking a highly-motivated, creative scientist who thrives in a fast-paced and collaborative environment. The ideal candidate will have experience designing and using cutting-edge genomics technologies. They will also have a strong foundational knowledge of immunology and the design of immune cell therapies to treat cancer. In this position, you will design new genomics screens for novel T cell therapies, manufacture these cell therapies, and test their function using

in vitro

and

in vivo

models of diseases. You will also optimize Waypoint's spatial pooled screening technology in a variety of tissue types. At Waypoint, you will work collaboratively with our team of computational and wet-lab scientists to develop new therapeutic options for patients. Duties and Responsibilities Implement cutting-edge genomics technologies to screen for CAR T cell therapies that solve specific challenges in the solid tumor microenvironment. Compare different CAR T designs using viral & non-viral manufacturing approaches, followed by

in vitro

assays. Optimize Waypoint's spatial pooled screening technology in different tissue types. Develop new genomics technologies in different cell systems using spatial pooled screening and CRISPR systems. Implement existing strategies for cloning of large libraries. Prepare NGS libraries for sequencing. Actively engage in prioritizing key milestones and developing appropriate timelines. Provide conceptual input on

in vivo

experimental design and interpretation in a team setting. Keep detailed scientific records in an electronic lab notebook and actively contribute towards the organization of the lab. Required Qualifications Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Immunology, Cancer Biology, Genetics, Cell Biology, or a related field. Alternatively, Bachelor's degree or Master's degree with 6 years or 4 years of relevant experience, respectively. Experience with genetic manipulation of mammalian cells using lentiviral, retroviral, or non-viral approaches. High degree of expertise in molecular cloning (e.g. Gibson cloning), RNA/DNA purification, and preparation of NGS libraries. Practical knowledge of the immune cell therapy field, with a focus on T cell therapy. Knowledge of the interplay between the immune system and the tumor microenvironment. An excellent scientific track record with published papers or recent experience in the fields of genomics, RNA biology, immunology, or related fields. Superb organizational abilities and precise scientific record keeping in electronic lab notebooks. Preferred Qualifications Experience culturing T cells ex vivo and using these cells for downstream assays Experience working with human iPS cells and/or organoid systems Send CV and cover letter to apply: jobs@waypointbio.com