Senior Scientist

Northreach is a dynamic recruitment agency that connects businesses with top talent in the Advanced Therapies sector. Our mission is to provide a seamless and personalised recruitment experience for clients and candidates, and to create a positive work environment that encourages equality, innovation, and professional growth.

We are exclusively partnered with an innovative biotech start-up, recently spun out of the University of Oxford, on a mission to redefine the sensitivity of Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) and T-Cell Receptors (TCRs) to better target high-value antigens. Our goal is to push the boundaries of TCR and CAR engineering, creating next-generation immunotherapies with unmatched specificity and efficacy in solid tumors and other high-value indications.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute in vitro potency assays and functional assays to evaluate and enhance the sensitivity of engineered CARs and TCRs against specific targets.
• Design and conduct complex preclinical studies, optimizing protocols for TCR-T and CAR-T cell development.
• Perform high-throughput screening, cellular proliferation, and cytotoxicity assays to validate efficacy and specificity of TCR-T/CAR-T candidates.
• Develop and refine methodologies for immunophenotyping, flow cytometry, and cytokine release assays, evaluating cell therapy constructs under diverse conditions.
• Analyze and interpret complex data, generating insights to guide further engineering efforts and ensure product quality.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams in cell engineering, bioinformatics, and translational research.
• Stay abreast of recent advances in T-cell engineering and immuno-oncology, contributing innovative ideas to the strategic R&D roadmap.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or a related field, with 3+ years of relevant biotech or pharma experience; MSc with significant biotech experience may also be considered.
• Hands-on experience with CAR-T or TCR-T cell development, ideally in preclinical settings within biotech or start-up environments.
• Expertise in in vitro potency assays, functional assays, cytotoxicity, and cytokine release assays.
• Proficiency in flow cytometry, immunophenotyping, and other cell-based assays to characterize engineered T cells.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, interpret complex data, and generate actionable insights.
• Collaborative mindset, excellent communication skills, and ability to thrive in a dynamic start-up environment.

Northreach is an equal opportunity employer and we do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or age. We are committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and hiring practices, therefore only partner with business that promote DEI. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees.