T Cell Engineering & Translation Lead

Title: T Cell Engineering & Translation Lead

Location: Upper East Side

Org Unit: MCC Laboratories

Work Days:

Weekly Hours: 35.00

Exemption Status: Exempt

Salary Range: $165,700.00 - $188,000.00

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

Position Summary

Responsible for leading the engineering, process development, and translational advancement of TCR engineered T cell therapies from candidate nomination through clinical readiness. The role drives vector design, cell engineering, and preclinical development of next-generation TCR-T cell therapies incorporating viral and non-viral ex vivo engineering as well as in vivo T cell therapy strategies, with a blend of mechanistic discovery tightly coupled to IND-enabling preclinical development. The Team lead coordinates with and serves as a critical bridge between research and clinical team ensuring safe, scalable, and regulatory aligned products.

Job Responsibilities

• Develop effective in vivo T cell engineering strategies and delivery vectors.
• Lead optimization of vector design (viral and non-viral) to be used for in vivo and ex vivo generation of armored TCR-T cells.
• Collaborate with director of Vector Production and Quality to ensure seamless transition of preclinical products into a scalable clinical process.
• Evaluate TCR constructs for stability, reactivity, and manufacturability in collaboration with engineering and translational staff.
• Oversee development and optimization of ex vivo TCR-T manufacturing processes inclusive of transduction/transfection, expansion and formulation. Establish scalable workflows for rapid ex vivo cell engineering to enhance product potency.
• Conduct IND enabling studies integrating in vivo pharmacology, safety, potency and mechanism-of-action datasets.
• Serve as a liaison between discovery and manufacturing teams to enable technology transfer and feasibility.
• Collaborate with manufacturing team to assess product and process performance, troubleshoot issues, and drive enhancements in clinical cell therapy manufacturing.
• Collaborate with the quality team to develop bespoke assays to assess product potency.
• Ensure documentation standards consistent with future IND submissions in all IND-enabling studies.

Education

• Master’s Degree or Ph.D. in an appropriate field. Equivalent work experience will be considered.

Experience

• 10 years of experience in T cell engineering or cell/gene therapy development with demonstrated experience in lentiviral vector systems, non-viral gene engineering platforms, human T cell functional biology, in vivo gene delivery approaches.
• Approximately 3 years or related experience in advanced translational acadmic center or Pharmaceutical environment, with evidence of leading IND-enabling preclinical development (industry preferred).
• Track record of leading cross-functional scientific teams.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• In-depth knowledge of interpreting TCR-T cell biology, receptor engineering, and gene modification platforms.
• Knowledge of vector design principles, optimization, and safety switch technologies.
• Demonstrates ability to apply analytical methodologies for cell therapy characterization.
• Familiarity with institutional and federal regulatory documentation and compliance standards.
• Demonstrates understanding of translational development pathways from preclinical through early-phase clinical trials.
• Ability to build scalable and reproduceable identification pipelines for personalized TCR therapy programs.

Licenses and Certifications

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

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

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “any person, any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.