Scientist In vivo Immuno-Oncology
About Asgard Therapeutics
Asgard Therapeutics is a privately held biotech company pioneering in vivo direct cell reprogramming for cancer immunotherapy, backed by Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JJDC, Inc., RV Invest, Novo Holdings, Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund, and Industrifonden. Our lead candidate, AT-108, is a first-in-class gene therapy that reprograms tumor cells into antigen-presenting dendritic cells (cDC1), triggering a personalized and potent anti-tumor immune response.
Position Overview
The ideal in vivo scientist candidate will have a background in immuno-oncology and hands-on experience in in vivo research. The role will involve executing in vivo and in vitro experiments, analyzing data, troubleshooting technical issues, and contributing to ongoing projects. Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills are required. Experimental rigor, scientific curiosity, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment, adapting to evolving priorities, are musts.
The position is lab-based at Asgard and is funded by the EIC Pathfinder project “RESYNC- Functional chemical reprogramming of cancer cells to induce antitumor immunity“. The project aims to use small molecules to reprogram cancer cells into cDC1s in vivo after systemic administration of tumor-targeted nanoparticles. The RESYNC consortium includes Lund University, Politecnico di Torino, Universitatea Babes Bolyai, Ustav Organicke Chemie a Biochemie, and Karolinska Institutet.
Key responsibilities
- Evaluate reprogramming efficacy of AT-108 in combination with small molecules, or cocktails of cDC1-inducing small molecules in animal models.
- Conduct in vivo studies using syngeneic and CDX mouse models to evaluate biodistribution of nanoparticles and small molecules, therapeutic efficacy and safety.
- Perform immunological assays including flow cytometry, ELISpot, T-cell co-culture assays, and cytokine profiling.
- Analyze and summarize data in reports and communicate findings to Asgard’s R&D and executive leadership team.
- Assist in experiment planning, execution, and documentation according to standard protocols.
Qualifications
- PhD degree in Immunology, Cancer Biology, Biomedicine, or a related life science discipline.
- Hands-on experience with in vivo mouse work in an academic or industry setting.
- Prior experience with injectables, including in vivo efficacy testing of Lipid Nanoparticles (LNPs), is a plus.
- Basic understanding of cancer immunotherapies is critical, knowledge of dendritic cell and T cell biology is a plus.
- Experience in tumor biology-related in vitro assays, including multi-color flow cytometry for ELISpot and T-cell cytotoxicity assays.
- Experience with small molecule and viral vectors handling and their in vivo administration is a plus.
- Felasa B or equivalent animal handling certification is required.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to work in a team-oriented environment.
- Good written and verbal communication skills in English.
Literature
- Ascic E, at al. In vivo dendritic cell reprogramming for cancer immunotherapy. Science 386, eadn9083 (2024). DOI:10.1126/science.adn9083
- Zimmermannova O, et al. Restoring Tumor Immunogenicity with Dendritic Cell Reprogramming. Science Immunology 8, eadd4817 (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.add4817
Application
Please email your CV, cover letter and contact information for two references to careers@asgardthx.com to apply. Asgard will review applications on a rolling basis and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.