PS Research Associate

University of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is looking for a dedicated Cell Therapy & Regenerative Medicine Scientist to join their innovative team. In this pivotal role, you will contribute to the development of groundbreaking immunotherapy products, including CAR T cells, while optimizing processes and supporting translational research. Your expertise in cellular immunology and GMP manufacturing will be crucial in advancing cutting-edge therapies from the lab to clinical applications. If you're passionate about making a significant impact in the field of regenerative medicine, this is the perfect opportunity for you to thrive in a collaborative and fast-paced environment.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Retirement Plans

Flexible Work Hours

Professional Development Opportunities

Research Funding

Paid Time Off

Tuition Assistance

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Immunology or related field with postdoctoral experience preferred.
• Expertise in cell culture, immune cell engineering, and flow cytometry.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experimental strategies for next-gen CAR T products.
• Collaborate with partners to expand research opportunities and technology transfer.

Skills

Cell Culture

Flow Cytometry

Gene Delivery Systems

Immunotherapy Research

Analytical Skills

Scientific Communication

Problem Solving

Education

Ph.D. in Immunology

Postdoctoral Experience

Tools

CRISPR

Next-Generation Sequencing

Job description

Working Title: Cell Therapy & Regenerative Medicine Scientist

Job Grade: A00

FLSA Code: Professional

Patient Sensitive Job Code: Yes

Standard Hours per Week: 40

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Shift: Day

VP Area: U of U Health - Academics

Department: 01601 - Cell Therapy/Regenerative Med

Location: Campus, Salt Lake City, UT

Type of Recruitment: External Posting

Pay Rate Range: $90,000.00 to $125,000.00

Close Date: 06/18/2025

Job Summary: We are seeking a highly motivated Research Scientist to join our cell therapy and regenerative medicine program at the University of Utah (https://medicine.utah.edu/internal-medicine/cell), where they will play a pivotal role in the development of innovative immunotherapy products, including CAR T cells and other advanced cell-based therapies. The successful candidate will contribute to the scientific advancement of the program, optimize existing processes, and support translational research efforts to bring novel cellular therapies from bench to bedside. This role requires expertise in cellular immunology, process development, and GMP manufacturing principles to ensure seamless integration of research innovations into clinical applications.

Qualifications:

1. Ph.D. in Immunology, Cell Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Molecular Biology, or a related field, with postdoctoral experience preferred.
2. Expertise in primary cell culture, immune cell engineering, and flow cytometry (e.g., FACS, CyTOF).
3. Proficiency in viral and non-viral gene delivery systems (e.g., lentiviral transduction, CRISPR-based modifications).
4. Experience in CAR T cell therapy, gene editing, or immunotherapy research is highly desirable.
5. Experience with cell-based potency assays, functional characterization of engineered immune cells, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a plus.
6. Knowledge of GMP requirements, aseptic processing, and regulatory compliance (e.g., FDA, FACT, USP, and ICH guidelines).
7. Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a data-driven approach.
8. Excellent scientific communication skills, with the ability to present complex findings to multidisciplinary teams.
9. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced research and manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities:

1. Immunotherapy Development: Design and execute experimental strategies for developing next-generation CAR T and other cell therapy products. Optimize cell expansion, gene modification, and functional assessment methods for enhanced therapeutic efficacy. Stay at the forefront of immunotherapy advancements and integrate cutting-edge technologies into product development.
2. Scientific Leadership & Innovation: Enhance the scientific footprint of the GMP facility by leading research initiatives, publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals, and assisting in securing funding through grant proposal development. Collaborate with academic and industry partners to expand research opportunities and technology transfer efforts.
3. Process Improvement & Translational Research: Work closely with process development, quality control, and manufacturing teams to improve production workflows and ensure regulatory compliance. Identify and implement automation, analytics, and scalable bioprocessing approaches to enhance efficiency and reproducibility.
4. Regulatory & Compliance Support: Support GMP documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and technology transfer efforts. Assist in preparing IND-enabling studies, regulatory submissions, and validation protocols.

Problem Solving:

1. Must possess a high level of initiative and the ability to work with little supervision while adhering to Standard Operating Procedures.
2. Must have excellent written, documentation, and oral communication skills.
3. Must possess strong interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills, including the ability to handle a variety of tasks in a fast-paced environment.
4. Proactive in identifying problems and solutions to address them.
5. Must be an exceptional team player.
6. Address scientific and technical challenges related to immune cell engineering, including improving CAR T cell persistence, antigen targeting, and allogeneic compatibility.
7. Troubleshoot variability in cell manufacturing processes, ensuring consistent and scalable production.
8. Work within cross-functional teams to resolve regulatory, quality, and operational issues in a GMP setting while maintaining research innovation.

Work Environment and Level of Frequency: Nearly Continuously: Laboratory environment.

Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency: Nearly Continuously: Sitting, hearing, listening, talking. Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as pipetting typing), walking. Occasionally: Bending, reaching overhead.

Minimum Qualifications:

Preferences:

Special Instructions Summary:

Additional Information: The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at [phone] for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at [phone] or [phone] or University Human Resource Management at [phone] if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patients.

All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (OEO/AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/

Online reports may be submitted at https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport. This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Required Documents:

• Curriculum Vitae

Optional Documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Historical Only – Do Not Use – See Document Description for More Information – Addendum to the University of Utah – Veteran Only
• Historical Only – Do Not Use – See Description for More Information – Appropriate discharge document (such as DD-2214) – Veteran Only

University Human Resource Management
250 East 200 South, Suite 125 Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Contact us: [phone] By Email: [e-mail]