Xap Therapeutics is a start-up biopharmaceutical company which develops an innovative platform to deliver genetic medicines in the bloodstream of patients. We engineer iPSC cell lines using CRISPR technology and differentiate these into universal “chassis” cells, which can be loaded with gene medicines. Our aim is to use this cell-based delivery platform to generate a pipeline of novel genetic therapies in a broad range of indications such as genetic disorders, cancer and autoimmunity.

Xap is seeking a highly motivated Senior Research Associate to join the Biology team. The focus of Biology is to develop and run biological cell assays from genetic assays, pharmacodynamics assays, in vitro-vivo translation assays to interrogate the efficacy and safety of our cell-based delivery platform. We are looking for talented people with demonstrated scientific rigour, drive and creative thinking. This position is based at Xap Therapeutics’ facility at the Babraham Research Park, Cambridge.

You will enjoy a varied and rewarding role and a flexible and dynamic working environment that fosters innovation, accountability, and teamwork. We are hiring across a range of R&D functions and are looking to build an exceptional team out of industry and academia. This is a unique career opportunity for a talented individual to join our growing team, and to contribute to the generation of this exciting synthetic cell therapy platform and future clinical products.

POSITION: Senior Research Associate

REPORTS TO: Head of Biology

SUPERVISES: N/A

JOB PURPOSE:

The Senior Research Associate will be a member of the Biology team, which interrogates the efficacy and safety of our cell therapy in a range of sophisticated in vitro assays and in vivo models.

The successful candidate will be lab-based and will be expected to work with scientists across Biology with a range of responsibilities listed below. The role involved culture of cell lines and primary cells, cell characterisation by flow cytometry, cytokine measurement by ELISA and analysis of mouse blood samples by flow cytometry.

The applicant should be comfortable with a fast-paced, dynamic working environment. The candidate requires good communication skills to interact with the rest of the company.

The successful candidate will have previous experience working within a laboratory environment with a demonstrated ability to follow and generate protocols. Preferentially, the candidate should have experience culturing cell line as well as primary cells and setting up and running flow cytometry assays.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Planning and execution of a wide range of robust experiments, technical studies, and tasks, working independently based on protocols and in line with departmental objectives.
• Differentiation of iPSC/HSC cells and characterisation via flow cytometry, western blot, ELISA, and immunofluorescence.
• Cell culture (propagation, banking, characterisation) of cell lines and primary cells utilised in therapeutic programs for lead selection and profiling.
• Liaise with programme leaders and matrix team members for data exchange and cell culture/assay planning, as well as generation and characterisation of reporter cell lines.
• Timely, accurate recording and analysis of results and compliance with data integrity procedures.
• Timely presentation of data to the department and wider company.
• Contribution to critical interpretation of data to draw results driven hypotheses, with influence on project/function direction.
• Working to existing SOPs and risk assessments and contribution to generating new ones as appropriate.
• Adoption of software, instruments, automation, and ways of working which help further improve data robustness & data meta-analysis.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Education and Experience

• A relevant BSc, MSc or equivalent experience in the areas of cell culture (immune cells, iPSC, HSC, ESC).
• Experience with flow cytometry is essential.
• Experience with developing assays for detection of cytokine or antibodies is preferred.
• Experience with ELISA and /OR western blot is preferred.
• Proven lab-based experience with protocol design, data recording, processing, and storage.
• Fluency in spoken and written English.

Skills and Competencies

• An ambitious scientist seeking an impactful role who relishes the opportunities and challenges of working in a start-up biotechnology company.
• Desire to apply and further develop skills and knowledge in a new and novel area of medicine development.
• Scientific drive, technical ability, autonomy & confidence, backed by solid topical knowledge and project experience.
• Ability to adapt easily and take a flexible approach as required in an ever-changing environment.
• Proficiency with critical interpretation of data and implementation into an experimental cascade.
• Communication in a clear, well-structured, and professional manner with key stakeholders within the company on a regular basis.
• Contribution to authoring of technical and science reports which will feed into IND filings.
• Awareness of latest scientific literature in company-relevant projects and general scientific areas.
• Contribution to enable innovation which may result in new intellectual property.