Scientist/Senior Scientist Organoid Immuno-Oncology

Asgard Therapeutics AB, Lund, Sweden

Asgard Therapeutics is a spin-off from Lund University, Sweden, aiming to advance cancer immunotherapies by harnessing direct cell fate reprogramming technologies. Our lead program, TrojanDC, is a paradigm-shifting gene therapy that reprograms cancer cells into antigen-presenting dendritic cells, unleashing the immune system against cancer. Asgard is building a multidisciplinary team that understands the value and opportunities of working in a startup based in a unique platform technology. We are looking for team members who are creative and passionate about making a contribution to the cancer immunotherapy field and improve patients’ lives.

Position overview

We are seeking a highly enthusiastic and innovative Scientist/Senior Scientist searching for an opportunity to help building an early-stage company and contribute to the development of next generation cancer immunotherapies.
The successful candidate should have the ability to design experiments autonomously, analyze complex data, troubleshoot technical issues, and supervise junior staff. Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills are required. Experimental rigor, scientific curiosity and ability to work in a fast-paced environment, adapting to evolving priorities are musts. The position will be lab-based and research activities will be performed in collaboration with the Cell Reprogramming in Hematopoiesis and Immunity Lab at Lund University (www.pereiralab.com).

Profile

Scientist/Senior Scientist with background in immunology to work in the pre-clinical development of TrojanDC cancer gene therapy. The candidate will be responsible for establishing organoid/tumoroids 3D cell culture models to validate TrojanDC efficacy ex vivo. The ideal candidate should have a Ph.D. degree in an immunology-related field with relevant laboratory experience in academia or biotech industry, including experience in mammalian cell culture including primary cell isolation and handling, as well as 3D co- culture systems.

Responsibilities

Develop key capabilities for the generation of necessary patient-derived organoid models and their detailed phenotyping using cutting-edge image analysis and single-cell mRNAseq.
Evaluate TrojanDC efficacy ex-vivo in human organoids models in terms of transduction and reprogramming efficiency, as well co-culture with relevant immune cell population to characterize induced immune response.
Troubleshoot technical difficulties encountered in organoid establishment, growth (media and growth factors) and testing
Establish methods to characterize the immune response induced by TrojanDC ex vivo, including multi-color flow cytometry, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, T cell co-culture systems, among other immune assays.

Design, plan, and execute scientific experiments autonomously to complete program and company goals within designated timelines.
Collect and document primary data to maintain up to date records.

Analyze, summarize and communicate data to Asgard’s R&D and executive

leadership team.

Qualifications:

PhD in Immunology, Cancer Biology, Biology or related field, with 0-5 years of post- graduation experience in academic or industrial environment. Applicants within 2- years after completing their PhD studies are encouraged to apply.
Extensive experience with general in vitro 2D and 3D cell culture techniques, including handling and processing primary tissue samples.
Demonstrated knowledge of cancer immunotherapies, including experience in developing relevant ex-vivo immuno-oncology models (patient-derived organoids) to understand mechanism of action underlying preclinical efficacy of cancer therapies.
Experience in dendritic cell biology and antigen presentation mechanisms is ideal, T cell biology is also attractive.
Experience in the development and application of tumor biology-related in vitro assays, including multi-color flow cytometry for immune profiling, FACS, T-cell cytotoxicity assays, complex cell-based functional assays (such as antigen cross- presentation).
Experience in imaging-based approaches for 3D culture systems.

Literature:

Rosa FF, Pires CF, Kurochkin I, Ferreira AG, Gomes A, Palma LG, Shaiv K, Solanas L, Azenha C, Papatsenko D, Schulz O, Reis e Sousa C, Pereira CF. Direct Reprogramming Fibroblasts into Antigen-Presenting Dendritic Cells. Science Immunology 2018, 7, 3 (30).
Pires CF, Rosa FF, Kurochkin I and Pereira C-F (2019) Understanding and Modulating Immunity With Cell Reprogramming. Front. Immunol. 10:2809. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02809.

Application:

Please email your CV, cover letter and contact information for two references
to info@asgardthx.com to apply. Asgard will review applications on a rolling basis and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Job type	Full time
Salary	Commensurate with role and experience.

Scientist/Senior Scientist Organoid Immuno-Oncology

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