Senior Research Associate / Associate Scientist, Translational Research at ATARA BIO

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Job Description

This Senior Research Associate / Associate Scientist will be an integral member of the Translational Sciences team, responsible for conducting technical development of next generation assays and applying these assays to patient samples from Atara’s groundbreaking trials in cellular therapy.  Qualified candidates will be capable of independently conducting clinical sample testing, performing directed validation of bioassays, communicating results with the Translational Sciences team, and generating written reports.  In addition to having extensive laboratory-based expertise in a relevant biological field an exceptional candidate will demonstrate a strong team-based work ethic and will possess a diversity of unique skills, perspectives, and ideas which will serve to bolster Atara’s efforts to transform the lives of patients with serious medical conditions through pioneering science, teamwork and a commitment to excellence.

Reports to:     Sr. Scientist

Location:        Thousand Oaks, CA

Travel:           Travel required (up to 10%)

Primary Responsibilities:

• Independently develops, optimizes, or validates novel bioassays intended for use on high value clinical specimens.
• Conducts full scale testing of clinical specimens following established protocols with high attention to detail.
• Authors and critically reviews protocols for pre-validation/validation of clinical assays.
• Performs primary immune cell isolation and multi-parameter immunophenotyping by flow cytometry.
• Maintains detailed documentation of laboratory procedures and experiments.
• Write study reports, summaries, and presentations supporting experimental results.
• Supports large-scale experiments with multiple team members simultaneously contributing to completion.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 4+ years’ experience or master’s with 2+ years’ experience in a relevant scientific discipline.
• Highly skilled in molecular and cellular techniques.
• Excellent track records with aseptic cell culture and bio-assay development.
• Excellent record keeping, communication skills, and computer skills including FlowJo, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Graphpad Prism
• Demonstrated ability to perform data analysis and effectively communicate results internally.
• Ability to author and execute laboratory procedures at the bench with an attention to detail and documentation consistent with GCLP practices.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced mid-sized biotech company environment with minimal direction and able to adjust workload based upon changing priorities and filing deadlines.
• Expertise in standard immunological assays including multi-parametric flow cytometry.
• Experience with cell-based and/or bio-assay development with successful implementation in clinical sample testing.
• Evidence of good team skills and independent thinking.

Truly exceptional candidates may possess one or more of the following:

• Experience or expertise in one or more next generation assays (eg: CyTOF, RNAseq, single-cell analysis, etc.)
• Statistical background with demonstrable application to clinical biomarker design.
• Understanding of advanced bioinformatics and/or data pipelining using R, Python, SQL, etc.
• Experience working in GLP/GCLP environment.
• Demonstrable experience mentoring new scientists in the laboratory setting
• Knowledge of LIMS system components and management
• Educational background in either multiple sclerosis, cellular therapy, or cancer immunology

• More About Atara Bio

  We launched Atara Biotherapeutics in August 2012 to help patients with serious diseases and few therapeutic options. We are considered a leading off-the-shelf T-cell immunotherapy company (Nasdaq ATRA) developing novel treatments for patients with cancer, autoimmune and viral diseases.

  We’re proud of our team of 425+ Atarians co-located by design in 4 different locations including South San Francisco (corporate headquarters), Thousand Oaks (R&D and manufacturing headquarters), Zug, Switzerland (european headquarters) and a R&D site in the Denver, Colorado area. Our Southern California hub is anchored by a new 90,000 sq. ft., state-of-the-art Atara T-Cell Operations and Manufacturing (ATOM) facility.  

  
  

  Our mission – “Transform the lives of patients with serious medical conditions through pioneering science, teamwork, and a commitment to excellence.”

  Our vision - “T-Cell Immunotherapy for every patient, any time.”

  Atara offers a competitive benefits packages that includes medical/dental/vision benefits, life and disability, retirement and stock program, as well as a generous paid time off and wellness plan that supports the well-being of our staff.  Visit www.atarabio.com/careers to learn more.

  
  

  Atara Bio is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit and other lawful factors. In accordance with applicable law, the Company prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth or medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, expression or dysphoria, marital status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, caregiver status, sexual orientation, transgender status or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws or because of the individual’s association with a member of a protected group or connection to an organization or group related to a protected group.

  
  

  We comply with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act. All applicants must have authorization to work for Atara Bio in the United States.  

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