Sr. Research Associate-Discovery Biology -

Sr. Research Associate

Xencor is a public, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company located in the Los Angeles area (Pasadena) and in San Diego. Our focus is developing high-potential XmAb® bispecific T-cell engagers and additional engineered drug candidates that leverage our differentiated technology platforms, and we are advancing our pipeline toward clinical proof-of-concept decisions. Our goal is to create high-impact therapeutics for patients with cancer and other serious diseases. More than 20 XmAb drug candidates engineered with our technology are in clinical development, and three XmAb medicines have been marketed by partners. For more information, please visit www.xencor.com. We have an excellent opportunity for a Sr. Research Associate-Discovery Biology to join our team.

This position will be fully onsite in our Pasadena office

Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior Research Associate to join our Discovery Biology team within the Discovery Biology and Pharmacology department. This team performs functional in vitro studies to characterize the pharmacologic properties, biological activity, and mechanism of action of our antibody and cytokine therapies. The ideal candidate has extensive hands-on experience with cell cultures and primary human immune cells in immunoassays and bioassays and technical expertise in multicolor flow cytometry and associated instrumentation and analysis software. The ideal candidate is highly motivated, able to work in a fast-paced, matrixed environment, and is passionate about developing immunomodulatory therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. She/he will contribute towards the identification of therapeutic candidates using cellular and immunological methods, including flow cytometry, MSD, and in vitro imaging platforms in high throughput formats. This open position is an exciting opportunity to impact the next wave of drug development candidates to enter our pipeline. Candidates should have a demonstrated record of technical proficiency and ability to work effectively in a team environment.

Job Functions

• Develop and conduct immunological and cellular in vitro studies to characterize the functional and biological properties and mechanisms of action of antibody and cytokine therapies.
• Support translational studies and preclinical models to evaluate efficacy and safety of antibody and cytokine therapies (no direct animal contact is required).
• Maintain, expand, and engineer mammalian cell lines and manage primary cell cultures including human immune cells and PBMC.

Job Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design and execution of experiments, analysis, interpretation of data, and reporting and archiving of results.
• Perform immunological and cellular bioassays including cell binding, proliferation, apoptosis, immune cell activation, and cytotoxicity assays in high-throughput format using methods including flow cytometry, luminescence, live cell imaging and cytokine analysis (MSD and ELISA).
• Engineer, expand and cryopreserve mammalian cell lines.
• Attend to daily laboratory operations including the maintenance of equipment, inventories, consumables, reagents, and other supplies
• Document experimental protocols, assay designs, and results in a laboratory notebook; maintain compliant records, write SOPs, and may contribute to writing technical reports.
• Coordinate and collaborate on operational and research-related tasks across multiple groups and departments.
• Adhere to all department and company-wide policies regarding conduct, performance, and procedures.
• Contribute to data presentation in departmental or company-wide meetings.

Qualifications

• BS in biological sciences, cell biology, immunology, or a related life sciences field with at least 4 years of laboratory work experience is required. An MS degree in biological sciences with at least 2 years of laboratory work is preferred. Work experience in an industry setting is desirable. The company reserves the right to consider internal experience in lieu of the education or experience requirements listed above.
• Advanced proficiency in cell culture with at least 3 years hands-on experience to maintain, expand, and engineer cell lines and at least one-year hands-on experience managing primary immune cell cultures is required.
• Experience with human PBMC and human biological tissues or specimens is required.
• Technical expertise in multi color flow cytometry and associated instrumentation and software (BD FACSDiva, FlowJo, FCS Express, OMIQ) with 2 years of experience to operate independently is required.
• Experience with high throughput liquid handling (e.g., Integra Viaflo, Beckman Coulter Echo) and high throughput cell-based assays (e.g., flowcytometry in 384 well plates) is desirable.
• Experience with live-cell imaging and impedance-based bioassay platforms (Incucyte, xCelligence) and proficiency executing complex, multiple cell type co-culture techniques are preferred.
• Ability to perform method development, write protocols, maintain detailed records, and use an electronic notebook are required. Experience with the Benchling as an ELN and database is desirable.
• Proficiency in common software and data analysis packages such as Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook), GraphPad Prism, and BD FACS Diva is required.
• Experience with data visualization and analytics tools such as Spotfire and Tableau is preferred. Experience with scripting languages, R or Python, is desirable.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, goal-oriented, multi-project environment with adaptability to changing priorities and capacity to excel working on a team and individually is required.

• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing with colleagues and cross-functional teams is essential. Strong attention to detail, teamwork, collaboration, and adaptability are required.

Additional Requirements for Laboratory and Research Related Jobs

This role may involve work with experimental subjects and/or specimens including infected samples, plus various Hazardous Materials and infectious agents (Bloodborne Pathogens, or other potentially infections materials (OPIMs). Therefore, the following are also required:

• Ability to follow the established Environmental Health & Safety rules, procedures, and/or BioSafety Guidelines
• Ability to read and understand Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
• Ability to be available and willing to work some weekends and evenings to conduct and complete experiments
• Knowledge of biosafety techniques and aseptic/gowning practices
• Experience with laboratory safety standards and procedures, including biohazard handling and disposal techniques, and the ability to ensure laboratory compliance with required safety regulations
• Experience working with biological and chemical hazards, infectious agents, bloodborne pathogens and animal allergens
• Experience working in and maintaining a sterile environment
• Experience working with chemical, and biological hazards 
• Thorough knowledge of the operation and maintenance of various lab equipment such as microscopes, centrifuges, spectrophotometers, balances, pH meters, and electrophoresis equipment, freezers, and incubators.

Work for this position is generally performed at Xencor’s worksite and requires full-time commitment. 

Expected Base Salary Range: $88,000 - $101,500

The actual salary will be based on the selected candidate’s qualifications, including skills, competencies, education and experience. Xencor offers a competitive total rewards package including 401k match, healthcare coverage, ESPP and a broad range of other benefits.  In addition, this position will be eligible for an annual bonus and equity grant. For more information, please see https://xencor.com/careers/.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement

The Company will provide reasonable accommodations (such as a qualified sign language interpreter or other personal assistance) with the application process upon your request as required to comply with applicable laws. If you have a disability and require assistance in this application process, please contact HR@xencor.com.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The Company is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

Xencor does not accept profiles or resumes from recruiting vendors without a binding written agreement. Any unsolicited submission of services and or resumes in no way creates an obligation or duty by Xencor, implied or otherwise.