Immunology Research Associate II - Senior Research Associate

Immunology Research Associate II - Senior Research Associate

Valora Therapeutics Inc. (Valora) is a pre-clinical stage biopharmaceutical company based in San Diego, California, USA, pioneering a new biologic platform invented by Nobel Laureate Dr. Carolyn Bertozzi (Stanford). Our proprietary platform technology enables the engineering of chimeric antibodies to unlock new mechanisms of immune signaling and activity, paving the way for transformative therapies in oncology, immune diseases, and beyond.

Valora is excited to expand our Immunology team and is looking for a highly motivated scientist to support our R&D Operations in developing next-generation antibody therapeutics using our proprietary chimeric antibody platform. This role will focus on hands-on laboratory work and will include activities such as the following:

• Assist in the design and execution of experiments to evaluate novel engineered antibodies, applying critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Develop and optimize in vitro and ex vivo assays to elucidate cellular and molecular immunological mechanisms.
• Analyze datasets, interpret results, and contribute to presenting findings to cross-functional teams.
• Contribute to the development of new hypotheses and experimental approaches in team discussions.
• Stay current with advancements in immunology and antibody engineering, applying this knowledge to ongoing projects.

Education and Experience:

• Minimum requirements: Master's degree with 4+ years of experience, or bachelor's degree with 6+ years of experience in an academic or biopharmaceutical industry setting.

Technical Skills and Knowledge:

• Strong foundation in cellular and molecular immunology, with experience in NK cell, macrophage, or T cell biology

• Understanding of immuno-oncology concepts and mechanisms

• Knowledge of glycobiology and glyco-immunology is desirable

• Proficiency in the following laboratory techniques:

• Functional assays such as: (1) Cytotoxicity assays (e.g., 51Cr release, LDH release, real-time cell analysis), (2) Proliferation assays (e.g., CFSE dilution, 3H-thymidine incorporation), (3) Cytokine production and secretion assays (e.g., ELISPOT, intracellular cytokine staining), (4) Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity/phagocytosis (ADCC/ADCP) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) assays
• Multi-color flow cytometry for immunophenotyping and functional readouts
• MSD, Luminex, or other multiplex assays for analyte measurement
• Molecular immunology assays to interrogate signaling pathways and evaluate mechanisms of action

• Experience with primary cell isolation and culture techniques

• Familiarity with antibody engineering concepts and methods, including Fc engineering for enhanced effector functions, Bispecific and multispecific antibody formats, etc.

General Scientific Skills:

• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills, with the ability to integrate complex datasets from multiple assay types

• Proficiency in statistical analysis and data visualization tools (e.g., GraphPad Prism, etc)

• Excellent documentation practices and attention to detail, including experience with electronic lab notebooks (ELNs)

• Ability to design and execute well-controlled experiments, including power analysis for appropriate sample size determination

• Experience with systematic literature review and critical evaluation of scientific papers, including meta-analysis techniques

• Familiarity with project management tools and techniques to coordinate complex experimental workflows

• Experience with literature review and critical evaluation of scientific papers

Personal Qualities:

• Demonstrated ability to think critically and approach scientific problems creatively

• Good communication skills, both written and verbal, for presenting scientific concepts

• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams

• Adaptability and willingness to learn new techniques and concepts quickly

• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and as part of a team

• Passion for scientific innovation and drug discovery

We Offer:

• The opportunity to be at the forefront of groundbreaking antibody therapeutic development.

• A collaborative and supportive team environment with a highly dynamic and entrepreneurial environment.

Compensation:

In addition to a competitive compensation package with stock options, the company also offers a comprehensive benefits package for our employees and their families, which includes medical, dental, vision, and supplemental disability insurance.

Job Type:

Full-time, 5 days a week presence at the laboratories (this is not a remote work).

Base pay range:

$80,000/yr - $105,000/yr

Benefits:

• 401(k)

• Dental insurance

• Employee assistance program

• Flexible schedule

• Flexible spending account

• Health insurance

• Life insurance

• Paid time off

• Parental leave

• Retirement plan

• Vision insurance

• Voluntary insurance coverage

Join Valora Therapeutics and unleash the potential of protein engineering to revolutionize medicine!