Head of Experimental Sciences

University-of-North-Carolina-At-Chapel-Hil; Chapel Hill (NC); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill seeks a Head of Experimental Sciences for its Center for Generative Immunotherapy ( CGI ). You will oversee translational research focused on antigen-directed immunotherapy, including tumor/immune cell enrichment, cytometry, and high‑throughput sequencing workflows.

You will manage a multidisciplinary team, design experiments, analyze complex datasets, and contribute to scholarly outputs such as publications and patents.

Qualifications

• PhD in Immunology or related discipline with extensive immunology training.
• Experience with processing and analysis of primary human samples.
• Experience in supervision, mentorship, training, and leadership of experimental scientists.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and perform experimental translational research in tumor/immune contexts.
• Lead a team analyzing human tumor and immune samples from biobanks in personalized immunotherapy trials.
• Develop SOPs, track progress, and train staff in experimental procedures.
• Collaborate with bioinformatics/computational biology teams for data management and sharing.
• Contribute to academic outputs including presentations, manuscripts and patents.

Skills

Tumor/immune cell enrichment

Cytometry

Immunopeptidomics prep

DNA/RNA sequencing library prep

T cell engineering (CRISPR)

TCR repertoire profiling

Single-cell transcriptomics

Organoid preparation

Data analysis

Team leadership

Education

PhD in Immunology or related discipline

Tools

Bioinformatics collaboration

Job description

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC -Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package , paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education and research.

Patient care: We promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond.

Education: We prepare tomorrow`s healthcare professionals and biomedical researchers from all backgrounds by facilitating learning within innovative and integrated curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education to ensure a highly skilled workforce.

Research: We develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers and resources. We provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our university to support outstanding research. We foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic and population research.

Position Summary

Our new Center for Generative Immunotherapy ( CGI ), a collaborative and multidisciplinary translational tumor immunology group tasked with preclinical research and clinical trials in personalized antigen-directed immunotherapy, is seeking to hire a Head of Experimental Sciences who will be tasked with supervising and performing experimental translational research. The successful applicant will be highly skilled in tumor and immune cell enrichment and culture, cytometry, preparation of samples for immunopeptidomics, library preparation for DNA and RNA sequencing, advanced functional analysis of T cells including T cell engineering using Crispr methods, tumor antigen-specific T cell receptor repertoire profiling, and analysis of mechanisms of resistance to antigen-specific T cell cytotoxicity.

They will lead a team analyzing human tumor and immune cell samples from biobanks and real-time in the context of personalized antigen-directed immunotherapy clinical trials. The successful applicant will be able to conceive, plan, and execute experiments independently, as well as to analyze data and lead a team in executing research goals in collaboration with program directors and other lab members. Beyond cytometry and functional T cell studies, experimental work will include single cell transcriptomic and T cell receptor analyses using human cell lines, primary tumor samples, and primary peripheral blood samples, cell enrichment and organoid preparation, generation of T cell receptor engineered T cell ( TCR -T) products, and evaluation of TCR -T performance characteristics using primary tumor cells and organoids.

They will be responsible for generating experimental SOPs, progress tracking, and training of experimental staff. There will be substantial interaction with lab members working in bioinformatics and computational biology as well as opportunity for training in these areas if the applicant desires. As part of this work, they will be expected to lead and contribute to academic products including presentations, manuscripts, and patents deriving from their experimental results. If desired, the applicant will have the opportunity to be the lead author on presentations, manuscripts, and grants derived from their work.

They will also be responsible for data reporting according to sponsor requests and assisting computational staff with data management and data sharing. This position is eligible to receive a sign-on bonus.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Master’s or Bachelor’s and 0-2 years’ experience; or will accept a combination of related education and experience in substitution.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

• PhD in Immunology or in a related discipline with extensive immunology training
• At least five years post-PhD experience in immunology research, with technical expertise in tumor and immune cell enrichment and culture, cytometry, preparation of samples for immunopeptidomics, library preparation for DNA and RNA sequencing, advanced functional analysis of T cells including T cell engineering using Crispr methods, tumor antigen-specific T cell receptor repertoire profiling, analysis of mechanisms of resistance to antigen-specific T cell cytotoxicity, single cell transcriptomic and T cell receptor analyses using human cell lines, primary tumor samples, and primary peripheral blood samples, cell enrichment and organoid preparation, generation of T cell receptor engineered T cell ( TCR -T) products, and evaluation of TCR -T performance characteristics using primary tumor cells and organoids
• Experience with processing and analysis of primary human samples.
• Experience in supervision, mentorship, training, and leadership of experimental scientists in a goal-oriented team environment.
• Excellence in experimental planning, execution, and project management in research collaborations.
• Excellent skills in verbal and written communication.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

• PhD in related discipline

Special Physical/Mental Requirements

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Department Contact Telephone or Email

[e-mail]

Office of Human Resources Contact Information

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at [phone] or send an email to [e-mail]

Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Required Documents

• Curriculum Vitae / Resume

Optional Documents

• Cover Letter
• List of References

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• Please select the response below that describes your level of education that best or most closely satisfies the education requirements for this position.
  • Bachelor’s degree in required discipline(s) listed or related field
  • Bachelor's degree in any field/discipline
  • Master's degree or Doctorate degree in required discipline(s) listed or related field
  • Master's degree or Doctorate degree in any field/discipline
  • None of the above
• Please describe your experience with the processing and the analysis of primary human specimens.

  (Open Ended Question)

• Please describe your experience in experimental planning, execution, and project management in research collaborations.

  (Open Ended Question)

• Please describe your experience with supervision, mentorship, training, and leadership of experimental scientists in a goal-oriented team environment.

  (Open Ended Question)