Senior Research Associate (Temporary) – In Vivo Biology / Pharmacology

About the Company:

Tentarix Biotherapeutics is a biotechnology company with a revolutionary platform for the discovery of next generation, multispecific biologic drugs, with the potential to make a significant difference in the lives of patients suffering with diseases, such as cancer and autoimmunity.
We are led by a seasoned executive team with proven expertise in the field of multispecific drug discovery, drug development, and company-building. We are supported by top tier healthcare investors and have several ongoing partnered programs with Gilead and AbbVie.
We are committed to hiring and retaining highly qualified and motivated team members who are passionate about making a difference for patients in the modern drug discovery landscape. This role will start as a six-month placement, with the potential to extend the term.
The Tentarix culture is founded on integrity, accountability, teamwork, and respect. Our team members are creative, hands-on, self-directed, and determined. We offer autonomy, flexibility, a modern culture, and the best tools to ensure the success of our team.

Role:

The Senior Research Associate will be primarily responsible for independently executing in vivo studies to evaluate the activity of engineered protein therapeutics across multiple humanized and syngeneic cancer mouse models. Additional responsibilities include assessing the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of biotherapeutics. The role will also provide opportunities to contribute to in vitro studies evaluating engineered protein therapeutic activity.

Responsibilities:

• Independently run multiple PBMC-humanized cancer mouse models, including culturing cancer cells, implanting tumor cells subcutaneously, administering human PBMCs by intravenous injection, monitoring studies through tumor and body weight measurements, graphing data, and collecting tumors and other tissues for ex vivo cell analysis.
• Able to design and execute on a range of pharmacology studies, including PK/PD assays and rodent models for immuno-oncology and autoimmune diseases. This role requires strong technical proficiency in intravenous and intraperitoneal injections, as well as blood collection techniques.
• Additionally, there will be opportunities to learn and contribute to series of in vitro and ex vivo bioassays such as MSD, ELISAs, engraftment check using flow cytometry, cell-based biological assays, immune cell bioassays.
• Independently design and execute experiments, analyze results, make presentations, and present data in group meetings
• Maintain a meticulous record of protocols, data, and results

Qualifications and Skills:

• M.S/B.S./B.A. with 2-6+ years of industry experience in the field of immuno-oncology, autoimmune diseases, or other inflammatory diseases
• Experience with animal handling and basic in vivo procedures is required, including dosing by multiple routes (s.c., i.p., i.v.), blood collection, tumor measurement, and collection of various organs at necropsy for toxicology studies.
• Technical proficiency in i.v. injection and submandibular bleeding is absolute requirement, along with the ability to independently manage oncology studies involving 60 to 80 mice.
• Extensive experience with cancer mouse models is required.
• Experience with cell culture, including tumor cell culture, is desired.
• Technical experience in the development and execution of ELISAs, MSD, flow-cytometry, in vitro and ex vivo immunology assays, and/or in vivo pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic assays is a plus, but candidate can also be trained
• Thrive in a cross functional team environment and committed positively contributing to Tentarix’s supportive small company culture
• Trustworthy with highest integrity, committed to ethics and scientific standards.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

The wage range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience, training, licensure, certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. At Tentarix, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range for the hourly rate is $50 - $65 hourly.
Animal welfare and ethical treatment of research animals are core components of Tentarix’s commitment to responsible science. All in vivo studies are conducted under the oversight of our Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), in full compliance with applicable regulations and the principles of replacement, reduction, and refinement (3Rs). Our research practices prioritize minimizing animal use and distress while maximizing scientific and medical benefit.
Our employees are the Company’s most valuable assets, so we offer attractive compensation and perks to retain the best in the field. Tentarix is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
Tentarix Biotherapeutics, Inc. also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. We are an E-Verify employer.