Senior Research Scientist - Viral Vectors

Location Oxford
Job type: Permanent
Contact name: Thomas Urwin

Contact email: thomas.urwin@rbwconsulting.com
Contact phone: +44 1293 584 300
Job ref: 27554
Published: 22 days ago
Expiry date: 14 Jun 2023 11:59

Senior Research Scientist - Viral Vectors 
 

Harwell, Oxford

 

Competitive Salary

 

RBW Consulting are delighted to be partnered with a clinical stage T cell immunotherapy company developing products to treat and prevent cancer and infectious diseases. They currently have a Phase 2 clinical trial for prostate cancer and a Phase 1 clinical program for chronic HBV. 

 

An opportunity has arised to lead a small team of vector scientists to develop new vectors for use as vaccines and immunotherapeutics. The successful candidate will play a critical role in the development of new approaches to generate viral vectors alongside performing genetic engineering and characterization of viruses. 


Responsibilities:

  • Construct and characterise various customised shuttle plasmids for the generation of recombinant viral vectors.
  • Clone viral genomes into plasmid or BAC vectors using a variety of techniques.
  • Recover engineered candidate viral vectors from cell cultures transfected with viral genomes.
  • Characterise rescued viruses, e.g. by genomic sequencing, growth/yield characteristics, etc.
  • Participate in developing new methods and processes for the generation of viral vectors.
  • Take the lead on early preclinical assessment of suitable candidates, including design of in vitro and in vivo studies.
  • Prepare study reports for leadership and manuscripts for publication in scientific journals.

 

Requirements:
 

  • PhD with at least 4 years of relevant post-PhD experience in molecular virology or viral vectors.
  • Solid background in one of the following areas: Virology with extensive molecular cloning/genetic engineering experience OR Viral vector research (vaccines, immunotherapeutics, or gene therapy fields).
  • Extensive interpersonal and management skills, with ability to work independently and collaboratively with other scientists and lab staff.
  • Meticulous bench working habit, precise record-keeping, and strong organisational and communication skills
  • Aptitude for learning new laboratory techniques.
  • Attention to detail and ability to accurately record experimental conduct.
  • Proficiency in the interpretation and communication of scientific data.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to understand and communicate scientific information in English.