Assistant Lead, TCR Discovery Team

Title: Assistant Lead, TCR Discovery Team

Location: Upper East Side

Org Unit: MCC Laboratories

Work Days:

Weekly Hours: 35.00

Exemption Status: Exempt

Salary Range: $128,700.00 - $146,100.00

*As required under NYC Human Rights Law Int 1208-2018 - Salary range for this role when Hired for NYC Offices

Position Summary

The Assistant Lead, TCR Discovery, is responsible for supporting the development of a rigorous, high‑throughput discovery and preclinical development engine that identifies high throughput and with high confidence tumor-specific TCRs for downstream analysis, engineering, and translational development.

Job Responsibilities

• Design & implement end-to-end personalized TCR discovery workflow incl. tumor-reactive T cell identification, TCR cloning & characterization, specificity validation, & safety de-risking leading to the selection of personalized TCRs for clinical application
• Design and implement advanced de-risking methods and workflows to assess alloreactivity, unintended HLA interactions, off-target toxicity risk including X-scan, peptide library screens and library-on-library HTS
• Interpret and report complex campaigns for identification of TCRs against known tumor antigens
• Integrate data across functional potency, specificity, and safety to support go/no-go decisions on specific TCRs, their cloning, specificity validation, and safety de-risking
• Prepare translational packages (reports, assay descriptions, validation summaries) supporting IND/CTA‑enabling preclinical data
• Collaborate with cross functional teams to integrate learnings and advance gene therapy initiatives
• Operate with highest integrity and ethics, conduct all experiments following lab, department, and college policies and procedures
• Mentor and train junior scientists and staff, promote scientific rigor, collaboration, independent thinking, and career advancement.
• Prepare scientific abstracts and articles, publish results in research journals, and present findings at conferences

Education

• PhD in Immunology, Molecular/Cell Biology, Genetic Engineering or related field

Experience

• A minimum of 8+ years post-PhD experience in academia or industry setting.
• Prior experience in TCR discovery, complex immune assays and preclinical development is required.
• Experience working across functional teams.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Deep expertise in high-throughput TCR discovery, functional validation, and safety de-risking.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and milestone-oriented environment
• Passion for scientific innovation and the bridging of rigorous basic science with translational impact.
• Familiar with advancing candidates from discovery through preclinical validation to IND enabling.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented with excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Licenses and Certifications

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

Ability to work flexible hours, evenings and weekends, when requested for special projects.

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Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA). We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.