Job Description

About Oxford BioTherapeutics:

Oxford BioTherapeutics (OBT) is a clinical stage oncology company with a pipeline of immuno-oncology and antibody-drug conjugate-based therapies. OBT's IO discovery process provides unique insight into the cancer-immune cell synapse and has identified several novel IO candidates for cancer therapy. Discovery of novel tumor antigens and immune cell surface proteins at OBT is performed using the proprietary Oxford Genome Anatomy Project (OGAP) database. OBT currently has one ADC in phase 1b clinical trials in collaboration with Menarini. OBT is a dynamic, growing, international biotechnology company based in Oxford, UK, and San Jose, CA. For further information, please see

Purpose of the Role:

To be the associate IHC team lead reporting to the Director of IHC, overseeing as required and bringing deep knowledge and experience to the team.

Job Description:

We are seeking a motivated, communicative and detail-oriented Senior or Principal Scientist to join our histopathology lab within the Target Validation Team at our San Jose, CA site. The appropriate candidate will report to the Director of IHC and be expected to independently execute the necessary histopathology techniques for evaluating tumor and immune cell therapeutic targets and supervise one or more RAs. The role would be expected to coordinate and present data on specific programs both internally and externally to collaborators.

This role will support our target validation efforts and assessment of molecules currently in our pipeline by using immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF), in situ hybridization (ISH), microscopy and digital imaging and analysis. The majority of responsibilities will be focused on IHC, including the development, screening, and validation of IHC antibodies, oncology indication-focused tissue procurement, sample processing and embedding (FFPE and FF), sectioning (FFPE and FF), and assay development (both manual and automated). Thorough knowledge of histology and oncology fundamentals is required and some cell culture and molecular biology experience is desirable.

Training of others, the supervision of more junior employees and presentation to external parties are important elements of this role.

Main Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, execute and oversee all aspects of histopathology including tissue collection, processing, as well as H&E, immunohistochemistry (IHC), in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunofluorescence assays (single plex and mIF), staining.
• Use tissue-based assays to evaluate and support patient stratification, prevalence and detailed tissue expression in normal vs diseased tissue states.
• Supervise, mentor and train less experienced employees.
• Collate, interpret and present data internally and externally, to collaborators, on specific partnered research programs.
• Coordinate with IHC Director, Program Managers and other stakeholders on program development and implementation; input into business development presentations when required.
• Plan research activities on specific research programs with input from IHC Director and other stakeholders.
• Develop expertise around target proteins and their expression profiles primarily but not limited to, oncology indications of interest.
• Develop and execute tissue-based experiments, including validation of antibodies, in preclinical models.
• Identify and evaluate new technologies to support our evolving biomarker strategies including novel staining approaches, digital image analysis and deep learning.
• Responsible for overseeing data analyses and delivery of decisional data of CRO-based projects.
• Effectively collaborate in highly matrixed organization to drive advancement of early-stage projects into translational and clinical development.
• Act as a technical expert in his/her field and provide guidance for internal collaborators.

Please note the roles and responsibilities for the position include but are not limited to the above.

Knowledge, Experience, and Skills:

Essential:

• PhD. with greater than 5 years of histology experience, or Bachelor Degree or Masters Degree in the life sciences, with >10 years of histology experience. Industry experience preferred. MD qualified applicants with relevant may also be considered.
• Extensive experience in histology, normal and diseased tissue sample preparation, sectioning (cryostat and microtome), immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and microscopy.
• Extensive experience with chromogenic and fluorescent staining (mono and multiplex) on pre-clinical, non-clinical and clinical samples.
• Knowledge and experience of antibody discovery process and testing for IHC tool antibodies.
• Expertise with Brightfield and Fluorescent microscopy, automated digital pathology and image analysis software and platforms.
• Extensive experience of presentation of data to both audiences knowledgeable in histopathology and non-expert audiences is critical.
• Experience of project planning and implementation in a fast-paced research environment. Demonstrable flexibility and ability to prioritize against multiple, competing requirements. Ability to deliver data to short and challenging timeframes.
• Experience of, and demonstrable ability to, train, mentor and develop others. Strong track record of developing and implementing strategic initiatives to improve scientific and/or operational activities.
• Experience working with service providers and CROs.
• Knowledge of tumor pathology, cancer biology and immuno-oncology.

Desirable:

• Experience in CDx (companion diagnostics) development.
• Tissue culture.

To thrive in this role, you will need to have:

• Excellent organization skills and familiarity with a fast-paced work environment, with changing priorities.
• Collaborative spirit and ability to operate in a matrixed environment.
• Willingness to represent OBT as an IHC lead, internally and externally.
• A passion for growing talent within the organization.
• The desire to make significant contributions through effort and expertise to cancer treatments.

One of our top priorities is to maintain the health and wellbeing of our employees and their families. To achieve this goal, we offer comprehensive benefits.

Benefits Offered:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance for employee and dependents.
• FSA (Flexible Spending Account).
• STD, LTD, Basic Life and AD&D Insurance, Supplemental Life and AD&D Insurance.
• 401(k) Plan.
• 120 hours of Paid Time Off.
• 5 sick days per year.
• 11 holidays.
• Employee Referral Bonus Program.
• Annual bonus program.
• New hire stock options.

Equal Opportunities Statement:

OBT is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, marital status, and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. One of our top priorities is to maintain the health and wellbeing of our employees and their families. To achieve this goal, we offer comprehensive benefits.

Why Join Us:

We promote a culture of innovation, responsibility, and steadfast commitment to our goal. Together, we believe, we can pool our resources and our uniqueness to develop novel, robust cures for one of the most challenging health conditions today.

We recognize that our team is only as good as the people in it. Our people have used the words friendly, collaborative, and hard working to describe the culture here at OBT. Above all, we trust each other.

This is why, while we strive to ensure that we hire only the best people to meet our goal, we also strive to provide a working environment that is based on cooperation, innovation and mutual respect.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs