Volastra Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical stage oncology biotechnology company based in New York City focused on developing therapeutics that exploit chromosomal instability (CIN) as a unique vulnerability in cancer. Since its founding in 2019, Volastra has grown to support ongoing discovery efforts and a growing clinical organization.
Volastra's most advanced pipeline programs are two distinct inhibitors of KIF18A, a novel therapeutic target. The first medicine, VLS-1488 was internally discovered and entered the clinic in Q4 2023 for the treatment of advanced cancers. Sovilnesib, was in-licensed from Amgen in 2023 and re-entered the clinic Q2 2024.
Volastra is financed by top US and European venture firms, including Arch, Polaris, Vida, Droia, Catalio, and B Capital as well as from strategic investor Eli Lilly. In addition to venture funding, Volastra has a multi-year drug discovery collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb and multiple biomarker discovery partnerships. The company has a highly experienced senior leadership team and a world class advisory board.
The company operates out of office and laboratory space in West Harlem, New York City, within easy traveling distance of most areas of the city, Westchester County, and New Jersey. Please visit www.volastratx.com for more information.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Volastra is seeking a highly motivated Research Associate II or Senior Research Associate in Tumor Immunology for an in vitro and in vivo biology lab-based role. The person who fills this position will report to a Senior Scientist and work closely with the scientific team to achieve the company's scientific and strategic plan. The Scientist will be responsible for validating novel targets and ensuring the advancement of key drug development programs in the Volastra pipeline as part of the larger scientific team. The ideal candidate should be someone who takes initiative, is a team player, is flexible in their ability to learn new techniques, and has excellent analytical and communication skills. Additionally, the candidate should have a good publication track record in peer-reviewed journals and experience developing and implementing immunological assays.
Project aims include, but are not limited to:
Identify novel immunologically relevant oncology targets through the company's platform.
Validate targets and unveil mechanistic insights through in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo immunological experimentation.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Mammalian cell culture and cell culture-based assays to study proliferation and signal transduction.
Isolation and manipulation of primary human and mouse immune cells.
Manipulation of gene expression including lentiviral-based systems for gene silencing by Cas9 and shRNA, CRISPR-Cas9 RNP nucleofection, CRISPR gRNA design, lentiviral-based gene overexpression, siRNA transfection.
Biochemical assays including western blotting, immunoprecipitation, bead- and plate-based ELISA.
Immunocytochemistry
Data analysis and presentation through software such as GraphPad Prism, Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
Recording experiments and data into an Electronic Laboratory Notebook (ELN) in a detailed, comprehensive, and timely fashion.
PREFERRED SKILLS
Ability to develop and conduct flow cytometric assays for characterization of cancer cell lines and primary immune cells.
Experience with or willingness to learn how to work with syngeneic mouse tumor models.
CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing and gene knock-in of cell lines.
Experience with murine- and patient-derived organotypic tumor spheroids (MDOTS/PDOTS).
Prior experience working with an ELN that has inventory and registry functions (particularly Benchling).
QUALIFICATIONS
MS in a relevant field with at least 2-5 years of laboratory experience in biotech.
Demonstrated competence in the listed laboratory techniques.
Effective time management skills to independently meet deadlines.
Strong trouble-shooting capacity.
Attention to detail.
Eagerness to learn and expand skill sets.
Volastra is a team of dedicated individuals working to advance therapies for patients with cancer. As such, individuals will from time to time have the opportunity to work on projects and take on responsibilities that may fall outside their scope of work. This job is based in NYC with the expectation that the person in this role will be working in-office Monday through Friday.
SALARY RANGE
Approximately $85,000- $125,000 which may vary depending on qualifications, experience, and ultimate leveling
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Research, Analyst, and Information Technology
Industries
Technology, Information and Internet
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