Scientist - Immunology

Overview About OXGENE™ OXGENE, a WuXi Advanced Therapies (WuXI ATU) company, develops pioneering technologies to accelerate the discovery and biomanufacture of cell and gene therapies. We recruit only the best from across the globe to join us on our mission. We are focussed on providing our employees with a rich and rewarding work life, developing their skills sets and supporting their own personal aspirations. OXGENE provides expert design and engineering services for viral vector optimisation and cell line development as well as developing innovative new technologies to transform the manufacture of cell and gene therapies.

OXGENE is looking for a Scientist with a strong background in immunology and proven experience with primary hematopoietic cell culture to join an enthusiastic research and development team working in the rapidly expanding area of gene and cell therapy.

You will bring your immunological training and skills to a multi-disciplinary research group focused on improving cell and gene therapies. Working with lead scientists and under the direction of the Head of Discovery and Internal Research, you will apply your expertise in the culture and manipulation of hematopoietic cell types to OXGENE’s viral vector and cell line engineering programmes. Experience working with primary T cell culture is essential. You will be expected to make meaningful contributions to specific projects and areas of research from the bench, while providing support and working as part of a team. You will work with internal stakeholders to define and execute project goals and deliverables in line with planned objectives.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design and execution of experiments to a high standard.
• Be responsible for in-house primary hematopoietic cell purification and cell culture.
• In collaboration with other groups, contribute to the research and development of viral vectors for gene therapy with a particular focus on screening of combinatorial libraries in hematopoietic cells.
• Preparation of lentivirus by transfection and quantification by qPCR.
• Cell engineering by lentiviral transduction.
• Multicolour flow cytometry analysis, magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) for primary mammalian cell cultures.
• Analyse data, write reports, and present findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Work to tight deadlines.
• Keep up to date with advancements in the field.
• Develop new methods, research, and processes to improve our core platform technologies.
• Ensure that work complies with recommended Health and Safety Guidelines.
• Maintain accurate record keeping at all times, including the use of data recording forms, electronic lab notebook (eLN), and completion of OXGENE’s Laboratory Information Management system (LIMS) for the deposition of biological materials.
• Creation of quality documentation for data recording to ensure the highest standards of data integrity.

Qualifications ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• A PhD involving primary T cell, B cell, or myeloid cell culture or an MSc with extensive relevant experience .
• Demonstrable experience in Ficoll separation of blood and bead-based isolation of immune cells.
• Demonstrable experience in immunostaining, multicolour flow cytometry, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS).
• Demonstrable experience using and maintaining complex equipment to high standards.
• Excellent written and oral communication, fully competent in the use of Microsoft Office applications for preparing spreadsheets, reports, and other documentation. Able to present data in group meetings and communicate complex and technical ideas effectively.
• Ability to work successfully independently and in a team.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

• Experience introducing and optimising new lab techniques
• Experience writing and following Standard Operating Procedures
• Experience in the field of viral vectors
• Experience in gene expression and regulation
• Experience in the field of CAR-T development
• Experience working with animal models
• Competent in standard molecular biology techniques

JOB LOCATION We have offices in the UK and USA. This role will be located at The Oxford Science Park, four miles south east of Oxford, with parking and good public transport links from Oxford. Our UK office address is: Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, The Oxford Science Park, Oxford, OX4 4HG.
HOW TO APPLY Please complete the application form on our website and attach your CV.Your CV should include evidence that demonstrates how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience. This may include experience gained in employment, education, or during career breaks. Internal applicants: please apply directly to Human Resources, copying your line manager into the email. Sending us your personal information means that you are asking us to hold your data on file, and understand that we will only keep it for as long as we need it to comply with the Data Protection Act.
CLOSING DATE This advert will close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid missing the opportunity.
INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL CANDIDATES By the start of employment, the successful candidate must have, and be able to demonstrate, permission to work in the UK. Unfortunately, as a small company, we have very limited ability to sponsor employees under Tier 2 (General) of the points-based system, and we are unable to sponsor Tier 2 work visas for international graduates / candidates.
MORE ABOUT OXGENE
Company benefits OXGENE offers a generous benefits package:

• 25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 with service and 8 UK bank/public holidays per annual leave year and a day off on your birthday
• Pension with salary exchange and generous employer contribution
• Group life cover
• Group Income Protection
• Glasses vouchers
• Employee assistance programme
• Private medical insurance with additional wellness benefits (as a benefit in kind)
• Free tea, coffee, fruit-juice, fruit and biscuits, with kitchen facilities
• Financially incentivised employee referral scheme

Company culture and environment OXGENE offers a friendly working environment in a diverse and expanding company.

• Modern offices and laboratories
• Opportunity to make a difference in a promotion-from-within environment
• Regular whole-company presentations, including regular scientific updates
• Regular social events, including TGI Friday activities
• Annual two-day staff away days

Diversity and equality of opportunity We provide all our staff with a welcoming and inclusive workplace that enables and empowers everyone to develop and deliver professional excellence. We recognise that diversity is vital for innovation and creativity and value each individual’s contribution. OXGENE’s decision to employ and promote individuals will be determined by personal merit and the application of criteria related to the role. The ability to perform the role will be the primary consideration on entry into employment and to successfully pass probation.
The application process When we receive your application, we will look at it carefully to see if you are right for the role. We aim to contact all successful candidates within 2-3 weeks of application. If you haven’t received a telephone call or an e-mail from us in this time, it means you have not been selected on this occasion. Due to the number of applications, we receive, we are unable to provide feedback for candidates who are not selected for interview. We thank you for your application and interest in OXGENE.
Pre-employment screening All appointments will be subject to standard pre-employment screening, as applicable to the post. This will include right-to-work in the UK, proof of identity and references.
Information for recruitment agencies We only accept CVs from our partnership recruitment agencies.