Postdoctoral Fellow: Gene Therapy Vector Biosciences

Profile

Why Work for Us

Are you ready to use your experience and expertise to make an impact on patients' lives? Astellas Gene Therapies is a biotechnology company developing new genetic medicines for rare, life-threatening diseases. We are working urgently to progress our medicines and need additional team members to help us do so. Because our mission is so important, our values are to:

Be BOLD:

Find a Way, Care Deeply, and Get Stuff Done.

If you'd like to be a part of this important mission, please apply to join our team.

About Astellas Gene Therapies

Astellas Gene Therapies is developing genetic medicines for patients with rare, life-threatening diseases. Based on our innovative approach to developing genetic medicines, as well as our industry-leading internal manufacturing capability and expertise, we have become the Astellas Center of Excellence for the newly created Genetic Regulation Focus Area. We are currently exploring three gene therapy modalities: gene replacement, exon skipping gene therapy, and vectorized RNA knockdown, with plans to expand our focus and geographic reach under Astellas. We are based in San Francisco, with manufacturing and laboratory facilities in South San Francisco and Sanford, North Carolina. For more information, please visit our website:

www.audentestx.com

Our Values:

Be

BOLD (Find a Way)

Care Deeply

-- for our patients, each other and our work

#GSD

(Get Stuff Done)

What is the catalyst for you in your professional career? Are you ready to be a part of a bold, innovative company, to make a change and to make a difference? Listed below is a current opening for a smart, driven, experienced, and just plain nice individual who wants to join us and be a part of our journey.

The Role

The postdoctoral position plays a vital role in our Gene Therapy Research Innovation & Technology.

The projected goals of this research will be 1) development of strategy for astrocytes targeting via project drive for astrocyte specific disease (Alexander disease) and 2) application of astrocytes targeting approach with identified differentiation factors in neurodegenerative disorder model. Reporting to the Associate Director in Gene Therapy Research Innovation & Technology. The Postdoctoral Fellow will work independently, as well as collaborate and discuss with the Associate Director and team members regularly. The ideal candidate would be expert in gene therapy and/or central nervous system (CNS) diseases, especially for Alexander disease. This position will be based in our South San Francisco Research Center and will be for funded for two years with the possibility of an extension for a third year.

Primary Responsibilities

Designs research plan of astrocytes targeting strategy and candidate creation for Alexander disease.

Conducts research experiments, including but not limited to primary cell culture, cell-based screening, cloning, qPCR, RNAseq, and western blotting.

Designs transgene constructs for the delivery of a therapeutic protein with appropriate regulatory element for tissue and cell-specific expression

Evaluates and analyzes data, providing summaries of findings to stakeholders.

Establish new research protocols and procedures for the Discovery Laboratory.

Publish research findings in open access journals.

Be an active member of the Discovery scientific team, contributing to the overall conversation, debate, and scientific direction of the group.

Build and maintain relationships and collaborations with Key Opinion Leaders.

Communicate scientific hypotheses and findings effectively in a variety of settings and to a variety of audiences

Requirements

About you

Must Have/Required

Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Gene Therapy, Neuroscience or related fields.

Technical proficiency in cell and molecular biology techniques, mammalian cell culture, immunohistochemistry and Q-PCR is critical.

The candidate should be able to perform in a highly team-oriented environment, be self-driven and possess good problem-solving skills.

Specialist knowledge in CNS diseases.

Proven skills as an effective team player who can engender credibility and confidence within and outside the company.

Excellent and effective written, verbal communication and presentation skills.

Ability to travel; domestic and international.

Models our Core Values: Be Bold: Find a Way, Care Deeply, Get Stuff Done

-- is experienced as someone who exemplifies the culture we want to create; operates with transparency; is trusted

May Have/Preferred

Previous work with AAV and experience designing vectors for gene therapy

Specialist knowledge in Astrocyte related research, especially for Alexander disease

Experience with rare diseases, CNS diseases and/or gene therapy products

Experience of stereotaxic surgery including local injection in the brain (e.g. intraparenchymal injection)

Basic knowledge in DDS (Drug delivery system) research for nanoparticle preparation of non viral vector.

Experience working with a multinational team of scientists.

Benefits:

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation and Sick time, plus national holidays including year-end shut down

401(k) match and annual company contribution

Company paid life insurance

Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions

Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions

Referral bonus program

Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Protected Veterans/Disabled

Type

Full-time

Location

CA, South San Francisco

Category

Vector Biosciences

Company info

Astellas Us, LLC
Website : https://www.astellas.com/us/