About this role
Title: Scientist II, TCR Discovery Team Location: Upper East Side Org Unit: MCC Laboratories Work Days: Weekly Hours: 35.00 Exemption Status: Exempt Salary Range: $75,000.00 - $94,400.00 *As required under NYC Human Rights Law Int 1208-2018 - Salary range for this role when Hired for NYC Offices Position Summary The Scientist, TCR-T, is responsible for driving the development of innovative personalized TCR-based cell therapies targeting autologous tumors. The mission of the TCR-T team is to build a rigorous, high‑throughput discovery and preclinical development engine that identifies high throughput and with high confidence tumor-specific TCRs for downstream analysis, engineering, and translational development.
This role reports to the Assistant Director and supports implementation of these innovative discovery and preclinical development platforms with the objective to identify and characterize personalized TCR gene therapy for clinical application.
- Job Responsibilities Contribute hands-on to end-to-end personalized TCR discovery incl. tumor-reactive T cell identification, TCR cloning & characterization, specificity validation, and safety de-risking leading to selection of personalized TCRs for clinical application.
- Utilize advanced de-risking methods and workflows to assess alloreactivity, unintended HLA interactions, off-target toxicity risk including X-scan, peptide library screens and library-on-library HTS.
- Analyze and interpret complex campaigns for identification of TCRs against known tumor antigens.
- Generate complete data packages across functional potency, specificity, and safety to support go/no-go decisions on specific TCRs, their cloning, specificity validation, and safety de-risking Support the design and execution of preclinical IND enabling studies.
- Generate and assemble data packages to enable decision making and TCR candidate selection for clinical application.
- Directly perform data analysis, prepare reports, maintain detailed and accurate records of experiments.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with vector development, T cell translation, and other teams to integrate learnings and advance gene therapy initiatives.
- Operate with highest integrity and ethics, conduct all experiments following lab, department, and college policies and procedures.
- Mentor and train junior scientists and staff, promote scientific rigor, collaboration, independent thinking, and career advancement.
- Prepare scientific abstracts and articles, publish results in research journals, and present findings at conferences.
- Education PhD in Immunology or related field Experience A minimum of 5+ years post-PhD experience in academia or industry setting.
- Prior 5+ year experience in human T cell immunology, TCR characterization and human T cell assays is required.
- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Deep knowledge of T cell biology, TCR characterization and immune assays Strong teamwork skills, operates efficiently in multidisciplinary setting Ability to work in a fast-paced and milestone-oriented environment Highly organized and detail-oriented with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Commitment to scientific innovation and excellence Licenses and Certifications Working Conditions/Physical Demands Ability to work flexible hours, evenings and weekends, when requested for special projects. Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “any person, any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA). We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.