Senior Scientist, Allogeneic Engineering

Palico Biotech Pte Ltd; Singapore; On-site; SGD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and equity packages

Work environment in Singapore’s Biopolis

Career growth opportunities in a Series B startup

Job summary

Palico Biotech Pte Ltd in Singapore is looking for a Senior Scientist to lead the genetic engineering of their OmniCell™ platform. You will engineer 'off-the-shelf' mesenchymal stem cells invisible to the host immune system and oversee multiplexed gene-editing strategies.

The ideal candidate has a PhD in Molecular Biology, substantial experience in mammalian cell engineering, and is proficient with CRISPR and bioinformatics tools. Join Palico to make a real impact in biotechnology while working in Singapore’s Biopolis.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in mammalian cell engineering.
• Expertise in non-viral delivery methods (electroporation/nanoparticles) preferred.
• Deep understanding of MSC biology and T-cell-mediated rejection.

Responsibilities

• Lead genetic design for silencing HLA Class I and II molecules.
• Conduct flow cytometry and NGS to verify edit efficiency.
• Design T-cell provocation assays to validate immune-evasive properties.
• Supervise a team of junior researchers and ensure adherence to protocols.
• Draft technical reports and patents for genetic modifications.

Skills

Mammalian cell engineering

CRISPR-Cas12b protocols

Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)

Bioinformatics tools

Automated liquid handling systems

Education

PhD in Molecular Biology, Immunology, or Cell Biology

Job description

As a Senior Scientist at Palico Biotech, you will lead the genetic architecture of our OmniCell™ platform. Your primary objective is to engineer "off-the-shelf" mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that remain invisible to the host immune system. You will oversee the design and execution of multiplexed gene-editing strategies to silence MHC/HLA markers while ensuring the long-term genomic stability and therapeutic potency of the modified cells.

Key Responsibilities

• Genetic Design: Lead the development of CRISPR-Cas12b and base-editing protocols for silencing HLA Class I and II molecules.
• Validation: Conduct high-throughput flow cytometry and NGS (Next-Generation Sequencing) to verify edit efficiency and off-target profiles.
• Functional Assays: Design in vitro T-cell provocation assays to validate the immune-evasive properties of engineered lines.
• Team Leadership: Supervise a team of junior researchers and lab technicians, ensuring adherence to project timelines and safety protocols.
• IP Documentation: Draft technical reports and patents to secure Palico’s proprietary genetic modifications.

Required Qualifications

• Education: PhD in Molecular Biology, Immunology, or Cell Biology.
• Technical Expertise: Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience in mammalian cell engineering. Expertise in non-viral delivery methods (electroporation/nanoparticles) is highly preferred.
• Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of the biology of MSCs and the mechanisms of T-cell-mediated rejection.
• Analytical Skills: Proficiency in bioinformatics tools for genomic analysis and experience with automated liquid handling systems.

Why Join Palico?

• Impact: Directly contribute to a platform that eliminates medical waiting lists for critical therapies.
• Ecosystem: Work at the heart of Singapore’s Biopolis, surrounded by world-class infrastructure and collaborative research institutes.
• Growth: Competitive salary and equity packages in a Series B startup with a clear path to global commercialization.