Research Associate II R&D

Do you want to be part of an inclusive team that works to develop innovative therapies for patients? Every day, we are driven to develop and deliver innovative and effective new medicines to patients and physicians. If you want to be part of this exciting work, you belong at Astellas!

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are committed to turning innovative science into medical solutions that bring value and hope to patients and their families. Keeping our focus on addressing unmet medical needs and conducting our business with ethics and integrity enables us to improve the health of people throughout the world. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at www.astellas.com.

Universal Cells , an affiliate of Astellas located in Seattle, WA, is focused on the development and commercialization of stem cell and regenerative medicine therapies. We conduct clinical-grade gene editing of stem cells to produce cells that avoid rejection and can be used in allogeneic cell therapy treatments to treat all patients that need them.

OUR GOAL - ONE CELL FOR EVERYONE

NO IMMUNE SUPPRESSION. NO DONOR MATCHING. NO REJECTION.

We are a dynamic team of research and scientific professionals who are passionate about turning science and innovation into medical solutions. Through our diversity, scientific knowledge, professional rigor and focus on innovation, we are merging our technology with the Astellas drug development expertise to unlock cures to many therapies. Join our team of committed, enthusiastic professionals devoted to making the most effective, life-saving cell therapy products in the world.

Universal Cells (UCI) is announcing a RA II – R&D opportunity at their facility in Seattle, WA .

Purpose:

The primary purpose of this position is to conduct studies evaluating the phenotype and function of human immune cells. This will encompass both in vitro characterization of human T cells and antigen-presenting cells, as well as functional assay development to characterize pluripotent stem cell-derived immune cells.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

Independently contribute to the design of scientific experiments, including identification of appropriate methods for study design

Technical acumen to set-up, conduct, and analyze a diverse array of experiments, including, but not limited to: banking, T cell expansion, co-culture, immunophenotyping, and cytokine profiling

Interpret data, draw appropriate conclusions from experimental work, and clearly present findings in team meetings. Compile and summarize experiments for reports as needed

Collaborate with other members of the R&D team and with other teams within Universal Cells to support multi-disciplinary studies

Troubleshoot and solve technical problems related to core areas of work.

Performs other duties as assigned or special projects as needed

Quantitative Dimensions:

This position functions within the Research group at Universal cells and will support core knowledge development and core cell therapy programs

Organizational Context:

This position reports to a Senior Scientist.

Qualifications:

Required:

BS with 2+ years or MS with 0-2 years of relevant laboratory experience.

Experience with culture and expansion of human T cells

Experience with antigen-presenting cells and designing/performing T cell functional assays (i.e. proliferation, cytokine production, T cell subset conversion)

Experience with multi-color flow cytometry, panel development, and FlowJo analysis

Experience with multiplex cytokine assays and ELISAs

Excellent record keeping and organizational skills

Ability to analyze and interpret data and communicates results. Prepares data summaries and figures for presentation

Strong problem-solving skills

Preferred:

Experience sorting immune population by FACS

Experience working in an industry setting

Experience working with ELN

Working Conditions:

Culture and maintain primary immune cells and cell lines, including work optimizing T cell expansion protocols for large-scale expansion

Characterize primary and PSC-derived immune using a variety of techniques including multi-color flow cytometry and multiplex cytokine analysis

Differentiate human T cell subsets to proinflammatory and regulatory phenotypes for characterization of phenotype and function

Salary Range

$61K – $82K (NOTE: Final salary could be more or less, based on experience)

Benefits:

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation and Sick time, plus national holidays including year-end shut down

401(k) match and annual company contribution

Company paid life insurance

Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions

Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions

Referral bonus program

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Category Research & Development

Astellas is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment.

EOE including Disability/Protected Veterans