Scientist II - Smith Lab

Overview

Pre-clinical group developing next generation antibody and CAR T cell immunotherapies for cancer is looking for an exceptionally motivated individual with past in vivo experience. The Smith Lab group is focused CAR T cell immunotherapy for cancer and protein engineering/synthetic biology; taking projects from conception to transgene design /genetic engineering, through reduction to practice, and into in vivo studies, and ultimately to the clinic. >10 clinical trials have launched stemming from the Smith team’s pre-clinical work. The candidate will make substantial contributions to the leadership of our in vivo work among other contributions. This will include coordinating and advising other senior staff in the lab in terms of design and timelines for in vivo experimentation, planning, execution, and data analysis. The candidate is expected to partner with others in the lab to lead many of the ongoing and future in vivo efforts including hands on tail vein injections and other procedures, as well as liaisoning/coordinating with the DFCI Animal Research Facility and technicians to ensure efficient, robust, accurate, ethical, and thoughtful in vivo work of the group.

We expect a strong background in some of the laboratory methods required to perform this primary in vivo responsibilities, leadership responsibilities, and additional cell culture lab bench work. We provide training to expand the scientist’s took box in terms of CAR T cell and cancer immunotherapy workflows. Additional opportunities for growth are attending lectures and journal clubs held here at DFCI and participating in academic and industry collaborations. The work is highly translational and there is a clear path to moving to the clinic candidates based on this work. The applicant will have ample opportunity to design, conduct, and work with CROs to support in vivo IND enabling studies.

Dr. Smith is deeply committed to the success of each trainee that joins the lab. He believes that mentorship should be intentional, thought out, and personalized for each member of the group. He dedicates time to meet trainees' individual needs for scientific growth and pursuit of their career goals.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated, independent thinker with a tremendous communication skills and work ethic. The position will require great planning and organizational skills. An ability to work well with others as part of a cohesive team, take initiative, and creatively problem solve are a must.

The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute brings together world-renowned clinicians, innovative researchers and dedicated professionals, allied in the common mission of conquering cancer. Combining extremely talented people with the best technologies in a genuinely positive environment, we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to all patients; we conduct research that advances treatment; we educate tomorrow’s physician/researchers; we reach out to underserved members of our community; and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Responsibilities

This full-time in person bench science position will include project-specific and general lab responsibilities as outlined below:

• Operational leadership and organization of in vivo experiments across the lab.
• Carry out in vivo experiments including tail vein injections
• Analyze experimental data and interpret results.
• Maintain detailed electronic notebook of all experiments.
• Exercise judgment in selecting methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results.
• Generate data of a quality upon which decisions for the future direction of a program can be based.
• Write reports and summaries of findings.
• Participate in formal and information presentations.
• Intellectual commitment to position by keeping up with appropriate literature and research publications.
• Contribute to technical reports, the grant application process and manuscript preparation as required.
• Development, improvement and adherence to standard operating procedures.
• Proactive and reliable stewardship of the laboratory.
• May coordinate activities of other staff
• Acts independently to determine methods and procedures
• Collaborate and coordinate with team members across groups and functions

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent. Masters with substantial experience in in vivo experimentation and leadership will be considered
• Deep prior experience with in vivo murine experimentation including expertise in tail vein injections and other standard procedures
• Exceptionally self-motivated and eager to expand existing skill
• Must have excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
• Builds stable working relationships; be able to work with a wide variety of faculty and staff
• Outstanding organization; detail oriented; multi-tasking skills
• Must consider attention to detail a strength
• Outstanding planning, organizational, multi-tasking skills
• Ability to work within a team environment

Only applicants that submit a cover letter, detailed CV will be considered.

As part of the selection process the contact information for three references will be requested.

Faculty Director: Eric Smith, MD PhD (

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.