Scientist I, Research & Development

Company Overview
ImmunityBio is a vertically integrated commercial stage biotechnology company developing next-generation therapies that bolster the natural immune system to defeat cancers and infectious diseases. The Company’s range of immunotherapy and cell therapy platforms, alone and together, act to drive and sustain an immune response with the goal of creating durable and safe protection against disease. Designated an FDA Breakthrough Therapy, ANKTIVA is the first FDA-approved immunotherapy for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer CIS that activates NK cells, T cells, and memory T cells for a long-duration response. The Company is applying its science and platforms to treating cancers, including the development of potential cancer vaccines, as well as developing immunotherapies and cell therapies that we believe sharply reduce or eliminate the need for standard high-dose chemotherapy. These platforms and their associated product candidates are designed to be more effective, accessible, and easily administered than current standards of care in oncology and infectious diseases.

Why ImmunityBio?

• ImmunityBio is developing cutting-edge technology with the goal to transform the lives of patients with cancer and develop next-generation therapies and vaccines that complement, harness and amplify the immune system to defeat cancers and infectious diseases.

• Opportunity to join a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company with headquarters in Southern California.

• Work with a collaborative team with the ability to work across different areas of the company.

• Ability to join a growing company with professional development opportunities.

Position Summary

The Scientist I position will aid in the development and generation of new novel therapeutics/vaccines intended for pre-clinical and cGMP-manufacturing use. The role is responsible for performing research and development work related to numerous expression system-based immunotherapies, including viral vector platforms and mRNA. The role will primarily be involved with the cloning of new gene-therapy vectors, subsequent vector characterization, cell culture optimization, and troubleshooting issues related to such pre-clinical manufacturing processes. The Scientist I will perform bio-assay development experiments, careful documentation of methods and materials and results, writing technical reports, and effectively communicating findings to other teams. This role is also responsible for aiding in the design and execution of product development experiments that lead to a robust and scalable clinical and commercial production process.

Essential Functions

• Support Research and Development projects designed to generate pre-clinical material characterization, design of experiments (DOE), and defining critical process parameters.
• Identify and propose process optimization, continuous improvement projects and support initiatives.
• Support scale-up and technology transfer of new products and processes into cGMP manufacturing.
• Apply analytical skills to evaluate and interpret complex issues and data sets utilizing multiple sources of qualitative information and quantitative research.
• Support product specific data trending programs.
• Author and review technical protocols/reports, tech transfer documents, SOPs and MBRs.
• Lead and participate in team meetings and present results intra- and interdepartmentally.
• Provide support and technical insight for process-related issues and investigations, including non-conformance product impact assessments, root cause analysis, change control, and process optimization.
• Design and execute experiments, and compile results/statistical data analysis for scaled-down lab processes to enable process troubleshooting, support process robustness and characterization studies, and develop process improvements
• Bench-scale study ownership including the collection and interpretation of data from bench scale experiments with minimal oversight.
• Conducts daily tasks associated with development and characterization of novel human therapeutics.
• Responsible for laboratory equipment maintenance programs.
• Meticulously maintains experimental records with detailed observations.
• Conducts additional laboratory work and projects, as needed.
• Support preclinical studies by evaluating basic health status of animals and reporting abnormalities to the appropriate personnel
• Support the lab by performing activities such as maintaining lab equipment, ordering and stocking supplies, and maintaining inventory
• Performs ad-hoc and cross-functional duties and/or projects as assigned to support business needs and provide developmental opportunities.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Cell Biology, Microbiology, Biology, or other life science or related field with 10+ years of experience including direct experience in upstream and/or downstream processes
• Master’s degree in Cell Biology, Microbiology, Biology, or other life science or related field with 8+ years of experience in biopharmaceutical-based process development and/or GMP manufacturing operations including direct experience in upstream processes required; or
• PhD degree in Cell Biology, Microbiology, Biology, or other life science or related field with 1+ experience in biopharmaceutical-based process development and/or GMP manufacturing operations including direct experience in upstream processes preferred.
• Experience with molecular cloning, human tissue culture, and viral vector construction required
• Experience working with viruses in a BSL-2 viral laboratory required
• Experience in molecular biology/cloning, RNA biology, cell biology, tissue culture and cell-based methods, with a proven track record of achievement required

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Strong initiative, problem solving, attention to detail, ability to effectively organize and prioritize are required.
• Ability to work with Quality and Manufacturing groups to ensure a compliant manufacturing environment and work collaboratively with other team members to support the transfer of biological drug processes from R&D/Product Development to Manufacturing.
• Adapts to rapidly changing work environment and shift in priorities.
• Possess good interpersonal and strong written/verbal communication skills.
• Manage multiple assignments and processes with excellent skills in prioritizing and time management.
• Possess the ability to multitask and work independently or in a team environment with minimal supervision.
• Good computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, and database software applications, including MS Office (Word, Excel), Visio and statistical software including JMP.
• Strong aptitude for problem solving, technical writing and ability to effectively participate on teams.
• Possess a high level of honesty and integrity, highly motivated and detail-oriented.
• Comfortable/Willing to work with small rodent research animals

Working Environment / Physical Environment

• This role works on site
• This role works in both lab and cleanroom environments.
• Occasional travel may be required to support technical transfer of processes.
• This position works on-site in a research lab and adjacent vivarium and will include exposure to small rodent animal models.
• This role works in both lab and occasional cleanroom environments
• May include off-hour work and flexible work scheduling.

This position is eligible for a discretionary bonus and equity award. The annual base pay range for this position is below. The specific rate will depend on the successful candidate’s qualifications, prior experience as well as geographic location.

$110,000 (entry-level qualifications) to $121,000 (highly experienced) annually

The application window is anticipated to close on 60 days from when it is posted or sooner if the position is filled or closed.

ImmunityBio uses artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist with sourcing and identifying potential candidates for open positions. These tools help us reach qualified applicants and improve the efficiency of our recruitment outreach. No preference is given to applicants sourced or identified by AI tools.

Important: AI is not used to screen, evaluate, rank, assess, or make hiring decisions about applicants. All applications are reviewed by human recruiters and hiring managers. Hiring decisions are made solely by ImmunityBio personnel without automated decision-making.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity and ensure that all candidates are assessed based on their qualifications, skills, and experience through human review.

ImmunityBio employees are as valuable as the people we serve. We have built a resource of robust benefit offerings to best support the total wellbeing of our team members and their families. Our competitive total rewards benefits package, for eligible employees, include: Medical, Dental and Vision Plan Options • Health and Financial Wellness Programs • Employer Assistance Program (EAP) • Company Paid and Voluntary Life/AD&D, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability • Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts • 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match • 529 Education Savings Program • Voluntary Legal Services, Identity Theft Protection, Pet Insurance and Employee Discounts, Rewards and Perks • Paid Time Off (PTO) includes: 11 Holidays • Exempt Employees are eligible for Unlimited PTO • Non-Exempt Employees are eligible for 10 Vacation Days, 56 Hours of Health Pay, 2 Personal Days and 1 Cultural Day •  We are committed to providing you with the tools and resources you need to optimize your Health and Wellness.

At ImmunityBio, we are an equal opportunity employer dedicated to diversity in the workplace. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, gender, color, disability, national origin, age, religion, union affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship, gender identity and/or expression, or other status protected by law.