Job Description
Job Details: Principal Scientist I, Bioanalytical Sciences
Full details of the job.
Vacancy Name
Vacancy Name Principal Scientist I, Bioanalytical Sciences
Vacancy No
Vacancy No VN391
Employment Type
Employment Type Permanent
Location of role
Location of role Abingdon
About the Company
About the Company Immunocore (NASDAQ: IMCR) is a pioneering, commercial-stage T cell receptor biotechnology company whose purpose is to develop and commercialize a new generation of transformative medicines which address unmet patient needs in oncology, infectious diseases and autoimmune disease. Our leaders in R&D are internationally recognised as some of the biotech industry’s most successful drug developers. We are creating not just an environment where great minds can interact but an innovation powerhouse answering the big questions.
Focused on delivering first-in-class biological therapies to patients, we have developed a highly innovative soluble TCR platform. Our ImmTAX molecules underpin a new generation of precision engineered drugs that harness the immune system to treat a broad spectrum of diseases with high unmet medical need, including oncology, infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases.
We strive to create a diverse and inclusive workplace, while seeking talented individuals to work with us across the many functions that will allow us to deliver new medicines to transform the lives of patients. You will work with outstanding people who together pioneer the research, development and commercialization of bi-specific TCR therapies. We aim to create an environment where individual contributions and initiatives can be maximized, while fostering a culture of collaboration, based on respect and integrity. We want each individual employee to own their career, as part of high-performing teams, and in the context of on-the-job and formal continuous development and training, as well as constructive feedback. We always strive to identify ways to improve what we do and how we do it, by asking questions, voicing opinions, exploring various approaches and staying connected with healthcare professionals, patients, academia and other key partners.
Key Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities Provide applied bioanalysis expertise in pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity and translational medicine in support of clinical and non-clinical studies through development of bioanalytical strategies, evaluation of sample analyses and exploration of underlying mechanisms of action that enable advancement of the company pipeline and platform technology.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES – ALL SCIENTISTS
• Conducting experiments, observing, interpreting and responding to results.
• Maintaining and increasing technical knowledge in relevant fields through self-study, observation, attending relevant conferences and training courses.
• Maintaining accurate records of all work by completing laboratory notebooks on time, following Company procedures.
• Ensuring that laboratory equipment is operated in accordance with safety and risk guidelines; acting promptly to report any faults or problems to the relevant member of staff.
• Operating in accordance with the Company’s Health and Safety policies, especially within a laboratory environment.
KEY COMPETENCIES
• Knowledge & Application: Possesses a strong understanding of multiple scientific areas and has accumulated significant experience in various projects. Expert knowledge of scientific principles and concepts. Recognized as a technical leader in functional area and is able to leverage skills in new areas. Demonstrates advanced knowledge of their discipline and the drug development process. Advocates ab initio step change process/platform/technology improvements. Has a clear understanding of departmental direction and is expected to have opinions on strategic direction. Internally recognized as an emerging expert by the IMC scientific community through objective criteria such as publications, patents, internal presentations, and critical contributions to drug development. Reputation as emerging leader in field with sustained performance and accomplishment.
• Complexity & Problem Solving: Displays knowledge about how the organization works. Can solve problems through formal channels and informal networks. Demonstrates a track record of consistently ‘making the right call’. Works on extremely complex problems in which analysis of situations or data requires an evaluation of intangible variables. Exercises independent judgment in developing methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results. Solves complex problems by analyzing possible solutions and taking a new perspective on existing solutions.
• Strategy & Impact: Has a clear understanding of departmental direction and contributes to the development of strategy within own area. Presents technical and functional knowledge to design experiments/ projects that contribute to overall direction of department/ discipline. Drives the strategy of larger projects which contribute to multiple areas of the organization. Erroneous decisions will result in critical delays and directly jeopardizes short-term results. May impact overall business activities.
• Collaboration & Interaction: Demonstrates the ability to effectively explain difficult and complex scientific concepts to a broader, more diverse audience and influence others. Establishes and cultivates cross functional network within the company. May interact with external parties such as suppliers, vendors and/or customers. Seamlessly navigates and guides dynamic scientific/program priorities and galvanizes engagement. Consistently demonstrates leadership potential and capacity to lead functional teams or projects, coordinating and overseeing the work of team members. Acts as a project/program leader when assigned and demonstrates active, positive participation as a team member. May oversee and manage the activities of lower level personnel.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES- ROLE SPECIFIC
• Design and develop custom ligand binding assay and cell-based pharmacokinetic, immunogenicity and serum biomarker assays suitable for detection of target analytes in biological matrices
• Lead technical transfer of validation-ready assays to suitable third-party laboratory vendors, and oversee method validation studies according to regulatory guidance and industry best practices
• Manage outsourced bioanalysis projects; review and summarize PK, ADA, and neutralizing ADA results
• Provide bioanalytical subject matter expertise on cross-functional project teams
• Drive exploratory bioanalytical projects to elucidate underlying mechanisms and/or basis for ImmTAC PK, ADA and serum biomarker characteristics; interpret data and design next steps/future directions
• Engage with Clinical Pharmacology team to identify and elucidate clinical impact of PK, ADA and biomarkers
• Communicate and present bioanalytical data to stakeholders and internal scientific forums
• Contribute to bioanalytical and translational reports, publications, presentations, and regulatory documents
• Collaborate with CMC, Research and Bioinformatics on innovative bioanalytical approaches
EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
• Advanced knowledge of bioanalytical assays for biotherapeutic modalities with strong scientific and technical skills in method development and validation
• Strong Immunology background
• A minimum of 10 years of hands-on experience in the development and validation of quantitative immunoassays, cell-based assays and immunogenicity assays for biologics (e.g. antibodies, proteins or peptides)
• Experience in aseptic cell culture and cell-based assay development
• Expert knowledge of current regulatory guidances and industry best practices for development and validation of bioanalytical methods for biotherapeutics
• Experience in GLP and/or clinical regulatory compliance
• Expert analytical skills, and a demonstrated ability to work both independently and in a team setting
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS
• BSc/MSc with 10+ years or PhD with 8+ years of relevant professional experience in immunology, biochemistry or related discipline
• Demonstrated record of scientific accomplishments including publications and presentations at conferences