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Senior Scientist / Principal Scientist, Translational Biomarker Discovery

Watertown, MA

About us:

Abata is developing regulatory T cells (Tregs) therapies for autoimmunity to transform lives with cures for Multiple Sclerosis and Type 1 Diabetes. By arming Tregs with T cell receptors that provide tissue-specific activation at the site of disease, Tregs will restore homeostasis in the tissue enabling a robust, durable response, while avoiding systemic immune suppression. 

Our work is fundamentally audacious which is why we hire the best, brightest, and most importantly…kind people. Being kind is not just a personality trait we look for, it’s a core value, embedded in the way we work and how we shape your experience at Abata Therapeutics. Our culture of learning and growth enables everyone to do their best work and contribute to fulfilling our mission. 

The Role:

Abata Therapeutics is seeking an experienced and highly motivated senior/principal scientist focusing on the translational biomarker discovery for novel Treg cell therapy programs. The candidate will play an instrumental role in shaping readouts of early signs of therapy efficacy in clinical trials using TCR-engineered Treg therapies for treating Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). The candidate will have the opportunity to identify novel biomarkers for patient selection, proof of biology, and proof of mechanism. The individual will formulate key questions and hypotheses, design and execute appropriate experiments, and effectively communicate and present results to peer scientists, clinicians, and management. The candidate will work within a highly matrixed team environment to enable fit-for-purpose biomarker discovery and bioassay deployment. The ideal candidate should have a strong background in translational biomarker discovery and bioassay development.  

Major Responsibilities:

  • Conceiving and executing translational biomarker discovery for T1D program that encompasses both hypotheses driven, and technology driven methods to identify patient inclusion, drug exposure, and proof of biology biomarkers.  
  • Identifying and analyzing historic data sets that inform clinical trial efficacy readouts. 
  • Using clinical trial samples for reverse translational research opportunities to prove mechanism of action. 
  • Identifying and developing appropriate assays for clinical deployment, transfer internally or externally for qualification and validation. 
  • Authoring reports and clinical regulatory documents. 
  • Communicating and presenting results to a multi-disciplinary team. 
  • Managing associate scientists. 

Requirements and Qualifications:

  • PhD in Immunology, Pharmacology, Biological Sciences, or related field with at least 2 years of related work experience in pharmaceutical or biotech environment. 
  • Experience with identification and validation of translational biomarkers and clinical implementation in autoimmune disease indications, particularly in early clinical studies. 
  • Track record of successful implementation of immunoassays, multi-omics (e.g., transcriptomics and proteomics), cell-based assays (e.g, flow cytometry) and protein bioassays for biomarker discovery using clinical samples. 
  • Broad knowledge of regulatory guidelines on biomarkers and bioanalytical assays, and biomarker enabling technologies. 
  • Ability to work with a multidisciplinary team, navigate, problem-solve, and execute in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. 
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills. 
  • Knowledge of T cell biology, or experience with molecular and protein assay quantification is a plus.  

We are an equal opportunity employer offering a competitive salary and benefits package. All applicants should be legally entitled to work for any employer in the US.

Note to Employment Agencies: Please do not forward any agency resumes. The company will not be responsible for any fees related to resumes that are unsolicited.

This is an on-site position based in the Watertown, MA office and the employee will be required to work in the office on a regular basis.

Abata Therapeutics will require compliance with our COVID- 19 vaccination policy. Please Review our conditions of employment.

Conditions of employment:

All current Abata employees have received the first two rounds of vaccinations against COVID-19. Vaccination status must be confirmed prior to any new hires joining the team. Up to date vaccination is strongly encouraged for every employee who intends to work onsite at our office and lab facility. Should an employee choose not to receive the vaccine, we will seek to understand the facts of their individual circumstance and determine if an appropriate work arrangement can be achieved.

 

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