Be Biopharma is looking to hire a Sr / Associate Scientist to join our Cell Engineering team. We are looking for highly motivated, experienced, and innovative thinkers to join our growing team of passionate researchers to leverage B cells as a novel class of cellular medicine. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a foundational team and help build Be Bio!
Role & Responsibilities:
- Help to perform and optimize genome engineering protocols for primary B cells
- Support characterization of engineered B cells using targeted amplicon sequencing, ddPCR and NGS-based assays as well as molecular biology techniques including qPCR, Western blotting, ELISA, and others
- Contribute to the cloning of DNA constructs and support identification of safe and potent genome engineering reagents
- Independently design experiments, acquire data, and analyze results
- Keep detailed records of all experiments in electronic lab notebook
- Work collaboratively as part of a team
- Present experimental results and actively participate in team meetings
- Facilitate efficient transfer of engineering protocols to CRO partners where applicable
Minimum Experience, Education, and Specialized Knowledge and Skills:
Must thrive in a fast-paced, growing, and innovative environment where flexibility, resourcefulness, resiliency, and communication skills are key. Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to develop important relationships with your stakeholders, and being an all-around good company citizen are essential.
- BS/MS in Cell and Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, Immunology or a related field
- BS with 3-10 years, or MS with 1-5 years of relevant experience in the pharma or biotech industry, or an Academic research group focused on genome engineering of primary immune cells. (Title commensurate with experience.)
- Experience with CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology and culture of primary immune cells
- Demonstrated expertise establishing and troubleshooting molecular biology assays
- Proficiency in DNA cloning, targeted amplicon sequencing, qPCR, Western Blotting, and ELISA assays
- Familiarity with ddPCR, and NGS-library preparation is a plus
- Clear demonstration of reproducible science with an attention to detail
- Enthusiastic and motivated with a positive can-do attitude and demonstrated problem-solving skills
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team with excellent communication and presentation skills
About us
Be Biopharma is pioneering a new class of medicines, unleashing the power of B cells to create the new field of Engineered B Cell Medicines. B cells are the body’s protein producing factories, most widely known for making antibodies. Our leading B cell therapy platform, developed by the top scientific KOLs in the field and with strong IP protection, harnesses this capability to engineer B cells to produce any protein with potential therapeutic application. This creates a unique opportunity to rapidly design and develop a broad portfolio of disease changing products (our platform affords ready swapping in new genes for different disease indications) and to significantly scale the company to realize substantial value in a short period of time.
Importantly, and in contrast to other cell therapy modalities, Engineered B Cells engraft naturally (and thus are not expected to require preconditioning chemotherapy). They are also “naturally allogeneic”, and we expect most or all of our portfolio to be “off-the-shelf” medicines. We have a rich pipeline of initial medicines under development in Oncology and Severe Genetic Disease, and we will subsequently expand to other important indications (e.g. Infectious Disease, Autoimmune Disease, etc).
Our Cambridge-based team is led by highly experienced, mission-driven executives all of whom are experienced cell therapy veterans who played key roles in developing several of today’s most impactful marketed gene and cell therapies. The team is rapidly expanding, with 20 employees joining in the first half of 2021. We are making major strides in our proof-of-concept studies for our lead programs in Oncology and Rare Disease, which are on track for near-term clinical development. Be Biopharma was founded in 2020 with a 52M Series A financing round supported by a syndicate of leading biotech investors (Longwood Fund, Atlas, RA Capital, Alta).
Culture
The beating heart of Be Bio is our People and together we are building a culture driven by purpose, passion, and that’s full of character. We are “all-in” as we align ourselves with patients who need our medicines, and we embrace the highest standards of transparency, excellence, candor, collaboration, and team-based science with a shared ownership of company milestones and successes.
Our commitment to our team members is to deliver a compelling, dynamic work experience that enables them to continually stretch, grow, and learn, that enriches their lives, that fosters a sense of belonging and community, and that goes above and beyond to support them in big, meaningful ways in both their personal and professional lives. Be Bio is a team that works hard, plays hard, and supports each other on our shared journey to get transformative medicines to patients who need them.
