Senior Research Scientist - Viral Vectors

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.