Principal Scientist, I/O Discovery

Company Information

Legend Biotech is a global biotechnology company dedicated to treating, and one day curing, life-threatening diseases. Headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey, we are developing advanced cell therapies across a diverse array of technology platforms, including autologous and allogenic chimeric antigen receptor T-cell and natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy. 

Legend Biotech entered into a global collaboration agreement with Janssen, one of the pharmaceutical companies of Johnson & Johnson, to jointly develop and commercialize ciltacabtagene autolecuel (cilta-cel) in 2017. Our strategic partnership is designed to combine the strengths and expertise of both companies to advance the promise of an immunotherapy in the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Legend Biotech is seeking Principal Scientist, I/O Discovery as part of the Exploratory Technology team based in Philadelphia, PA. 

Role Overview

This position will the play an important role for a new interdisciplinary team developing company’s cell therapy platform for solid tumor applications.

Qualified candidates should possess proficiency in broad topics in Immuno-Oncology, such as T cell biology, NK cell biology, checkpoint inhibition, Tumor microenvironment, immune editing and antigen spreading. Candidates with experience in participation of IND-enabling studies, biomarker discovery and cell therapy product development are preferred.

The ideal candidate should be driven, analytical, thoughtful, and creative, who can provide important strategic input for future directions.

This position will report to the Senior Director of Research. Location: Philadelphia.

Key Responsibilities  

• Design and execute CAR-T cell functional assays.
• Design and execute in vivo studies with relevant human and murine tumor models.
• Design and develop novel armor strategy.
• Analyze and interpret data, troubleshooting, present to and engage internal stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancement of cell therapy in solid tumor. Demonstrate deep insight in selected disease area.

• PhD degree in biological sciences (Immunology, Immuno-Oncology, cancer biology) or related field is required.
• Senior Scientist- PhD + 3 years of industry experience.
• Principal Scientist- PhD, 5 years of postgraduate experience with a minimum of 4 years of Industry experience.
• Previous work experience in target discovery, validation and IND filing in Cell therapy space is strongly preferred.
• Relevance experience of utilizing αβT cell biology is required. Additional experience of using NK cell, γδT cell is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in conventional immunological techniques such as primary T cell isolation, gene editing/transduction, expansion, ELISA, cell sorting and flow cytometry is required.
• Experience in CAR-T animal models, in vivo study design and execution is required.
• In depth knowledge in topics such as human tumor microenvironment (TME), tumor-infiltrating-lymphocytes (TIL), tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS), Immune Checkpoint Blockade (ICB)is preferred. Hands-on experience with translational biomarker studies is preferred.
• Innovation in cell therapy space is preferred as evidenced by publications and patents.
• Language: English

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Legend Biotech is a proud equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to attracting, retaining, and maximizing the performance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is Legend’s policy to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, national origin, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status, uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Legend Biotech maintains a drug-free workplace.