Lead in TIL Reprogramming

Job description

Title: Lead in TIL Reprogramming Location: Upper East Side Org Unit: MCC Laboratories Work Days: Weekly Hours: 35.00 Exemption Status: Exempt Salary Range: $159,900.00 - $186,100.00 *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 a focused team advancing next-generation tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapies. This role seeks to reprogram and optimize TILs through integrated media, pharmacologic, and gene engineering strategies to enhance potency, persistence, and clinical efficacy. This position sits at the interface of deep biological discovery and disciplined product development, translating mechanistic insights into scalable processes and IND-ready cell therapy candidates. The successful candidate will play a key role in disrupting current TIL paradigms and advancing transformative therapies from concept to early clinical development. Job Responsibilities Recruit, lead and manage a small, multidisciplinary team focused on tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) reprogramming and optimization. Design and execute strategies to enhance TIL function including through media and metabolic interventions (nutrients, cytokines); drugs targeting key pathways; gene engineering approaches (CRISPR, viral/non-viral editing, synthetic circuits). Drive process innovation and disruption, challenging current TIL manufacturing paradigms to improve potency, persistence, scalability, and cost. Integrate deep mechanistic discovery (e.g., T cell biology, tumor microenvironment, translatome/epitope discovery) with translational objectives. Develop and optimize robust, scalable workflows for TIL expansion, activation, and modification suitable for clinical translation. Lead preclinical development, including: In vitro functional assays and high-dimensional profiling, in vivo biodistribution and persistence, efficacy and toxicity analyses, biomarker strategy development. Translate discoveries into disciplined product development, defining target product profiles and critical quality attributes (CQAs); establish data-driven decision frameworks to prioritize candidates and advance programs through stage gates. Contribute to and coordinate IND documentation, including authorship of relevant sections (CMC, pharmacology/toxicology summaries, investigator brochure inputs). Collaborate cross-functionally with process development, CMC, regulatory, clinical, and close external partners. Mentor team members and foster a high-performance, innovative, and translationally focused culture. Education Ph.D. in immunology, cancer biology, bioengineering, or related field, with postdoctoral training and relevant experience in T cell therapy an appropriate field. Experience More than 10 years of hands-on expertise in TIL biology and methods, T cell immunology, genetic T cell engineering, CRISPR screening, molecular biology, mouse models, and clinical translation. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Proven ability to lead projects/teams and translate discovery into preclinical development, with familiarity in process development and scalability for cell therapies. Working knowledge of IND-enabling studies (pharmacology, tox) and regulatory documentation, with strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills. Familiarity with institutional and federal regulatory documentation and compliance standards. Effectively manages biospecimen handling and sample integrity practices. Knowledge of data management systems and electronic data integrity principles. 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.