Senior Scientist, Analytical Operations

About us:

Our purpose at Dispatch is to help create a world where all cancer patients can be cured. We’re humbled by the opportunity to work together as a team on some of the most pressing medical challenges of our time. 

To achieve our purpose, we are dedicated to engineering a universal treatment across solid tumors. We’re committed to the development of novel therapies, leveraging first-in-class technologies in viral vectors, universal targets, and novel cytokine biology. Our therapeutic approach has the potential to enable us to treat significant numbers of cancer patients and make a real and lasting impact on the world. 

Our company was founded on pioneering work carried out in the laboratories of Dr. Carl June (University of Pennsylvania), Dr. Kole Roybal (University of California, San Francisco), Dr. Christopher Garcia (Stanford University) and Dr. Andy Minn (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center).

At our company, you would become one of our early team members- not only playing a role in meeting our ambitious mission but also building our thriving culture.  We are determined to deliver with urgency to discover new solutions and we always stay dedicated to scientific rigor; we have an ownership mindset because each and every one of us is integral to our success.  Collaboration is core for us because we believe that by bringing people together with diverse perspectives, we make a stronger whole.  And, we show we care about our work and each other by sharing feedback - ultimately in service of our vision to empower people to continue forward with their lives - cancer free. 

The role:

The Senior Scientist will support Analytical Operations for Dispatch’s portfolio of product candidates, including therapeutic viruses, viral vectors, and autologous and in vivo CAR T cells. Reporting into the Associate Director, Analytical & Product Sciences (APS), this individual will be focused on creating and managing an effective operational network both externally and internally such that operational deliverables are met efficiently, effectively, and at high quality. Working under the guidance of the Associate Director, this individual is expected to engage with external partners (including supporting contract initiation), set up organizational systems that can track performance of external and internal testing, work with lab-based personnel to coordinate and perform routine testing, provide support to enable characterization, data generation, method development or validation as needed to facilitate  effective and productive operations for the entire APS team.

Key responsibilities:

• Coordinate execution for operational deliverables of external quality control testing including sample shipments between locations (e.g., CDMO to CTL or CDMO to Dispatch)
• Serve as the single point of contact between the Process Development (PD) team and APS team for PD studies and any other testing needs required from the APS team
• Manage internal routine testing processes including scheduling, verification, and reporting
• Create and/or manage systems for seamless data tracking for data collected at both QC/CTL sites and internally
• Develop and/or manage inventory systems to organize and track instrumentation as well as critical reagent and material usage at Dispatch (including commercial antibody reagents, in-house cell lines, reference standards, etc.)
• Assist with management and oversight of method validation and transfer activities, both internally and with external partners (e.g., CDMOs), as directed
• Assist with organization and coordination of MSAs/contracts
• Support budgeting activities as needed
• Effectively communicate operations status updates and any issues clearly to leadership at all levels, team members, and stake holders
• Maintain training and competency on selected internal analytical methods (qPCR, ddPCR, cell-based assays, biophysical techniques, etc.) and be ready to provide lab-testing support as needed
• Participate in seminars, journal clubs, and team meetings, and pursue ongoing scientific and professional development

Required experience & skills:

• Ph.D. with at least 5 years of related experience in an industry setting or Master’s Degree with at least 8 years of related experience in an industry setting or Bachelor’s Degree with at least 10 years of related experience in an industry setting
• CMC analytical experience within cell and gene therapy and/or large molecule antibody therapy
• Experience with method development, validation, and method transfers in accordance with ICH guidelines
• Lab-based experience developing methods and performing routine testing for at least three of the following analytical platforms: cell-based, Flow Cytometry, Analytical Microscopy, Capillary Electrophoresis, HPLC, AUC, TEM, qPCR, ddPCR, NGS, peptide mapping, residual impurity assays
• Experience scheduling testing for a team (e.g., lab-based scheduling of analysts, manufacturing-based scheduling of operators, or equivalent)
• Experience as a lab manager: ordering supplies for the lab, organizing reagents, ensuring supply of reagents is maintained
• Experience using electronic lab notebook (ELN) systems (Symyx, Benchling, etc.)
• Experience working with data analysis software such as GraphPad Prism, JMP, and Microsoft Excel
• Experience with shipping logistics (shipping samples domestically and internationally)
• Highly organized and proactive in setting up systems and tools for efficient data capture and data tracking (e.g., setting up or administering LIMS, inventory, or data-tracking tools)
• Experience working in a highly cross-functional matrix team
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate, timely documentation of experimental data
• Experience collaborating with external partners (CDMOs and CTLs) as well as with internal cross-functional teams (e.g., overseeing method validation and transfer activities at external sites)
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Familiarity with GMP/GLP laboratory practices or a regulated laboratory environment
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-based laboratory environment
• Desire to learn, gain and grow new skills, be adaptable and apply new and existing knowledge in a fast-paced and dynamic environment

Preferred experience & skills:

• Technical understanding of analytical control strategy (release and characterization testing)
• Experience with authoring regulatory documents and source reports (IND, BLA, etc.)
• Experience as a Lead or Coordinator on matrix teams
• Experience working with project management software/tools (e.g., Smartsheet, Microsoft Project)
• Familiarity with data trending
• Familiarity with processes for review and execution of legal contracts and agreements (e.g., MSAs, CDAs) etc.)
• Familiarity with operational budget development, management, and tracking

Our values:  

Our values guide everything we do. While capabilities and skills are vital, understanding how a potential new colleague would embody our values is central to our hiring decisions.

Determined to deliver:  

By working with focus and passion, we can provide patients with the solutions they need.  

Own every outcome:  

We can reach new heights when we stay centered on our shared success.  

Collaboration at the core:  

When we band together, our work is better.  

Feedback is fundamental:  

Constructive and authentic positive feedback may be difficult to master but it is vital to our success.  

Working here:

• We offer a highly competitive compensation package with meaningful ownership through equity
• Excellent coverage for medical, vision, and dental
• 401(k) with generous contribution
• Life insurance
• Flexible PTO policy
• Additional substantial benefits

We are an equal opportunity employer. 

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, national origin, or any characteristic protected under applicable law.