Scientist, Solid Tumor CAR-T

Merck & Co.; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 111,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid parental leave

Vacation time & holidays

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Legend Biotech seeks a Scientist, Solid Tumor CAR‑T in Philadelphia, PA to advance CAR‑T cells for solid tumors. You will drive preclinical development from construct design through animal model efficacy studies.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD in Immunology or Immuno‑Oncology with up to 3 years postdoctoral experience, and is proficient in human T cell isolation, lentiviral transduction, and multicolor flow cytometry. This role offers a competitive base salary and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• PhD in Immunology, Immuno‑Oncology or closely related field.
• Postdoc experience up to 3 years preferred.
• Experience with human T cell isolation and activation.
• Multicolor flow cytometry and data analysis.
• Lentiviral transduction and expansion.
• In vivo CAR‑T models and tumor studies.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute in vitro CAR‑T functional assays.
• Phenotypic analysis of T cell differentiation, activation, and memory subsets.
• Evaluate CAR‑T cell trafficking and tumor infiltration in vivo using flow cytometry and IHC.
• Handle and engineer human and murine T cells and cancer cells.
• Engineer and maintain cancer cell lines for model development.
• Analyze data and maintain detailed experimental records.

Skills

T cell isolation

Lentiviral transduction

Flow cytometry

Molecular biology

CAR‑T biology

Organoids

CRISPR/Cas9

In vitro CAR‑T assays

Data analysis

Education

PhD in Immunology or Immuno‑Oncology

Tools

Attune

Novocyte

Cytek Aurora

FlowJo

PCR/qPCR

Job description

Legend Biotech is a global biotechnology company dedicated to treating and, one day, curing life-threatening diseases. Headquartered in Bridgewater, New Jersey, we are advancing the next generation of cell therapy through a portfolio of innovative technologies, including autologous, allogeneic, and in vivo cell therapy approaches. Our research spans chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T), T-cell receptor (TCR-T), natural killer (NK) cell-based therapies, and other emerging platforms designed to transform the treatment of serious diseases. From our global network of research and development sites, we are committed to discovering and developing safe, effective, and cutting‑edge therapies for patients worldwide.

Legend Biotech entered into a global collaboration agreement with Johnson & Johnson to jointly develop and commercialize CARVYKTI® (ciltacabtagene autoleucel; cilta-cel). Through this strategic partnership, we combine complementary expertise and capabilities to advance innovative immunotherapies for patients living with multiple myeloma.

Legend Biotech is seeking a Scientist, Solid Tumor CAR‑T as part of the Research and Development team based in Philadelphia, PA.

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated Scientist to join our interdisciplinary cell therapy team at Legend Biotech, focused on advancing CAR‑T cell therapies for solid tumors. This role is central to our in vivo CAR‑T platform and will drive preclinical development from construct design through animal model efficacy studies.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD in Immunology, Immuno‑Oncology, or a closely related discipline, with up to 3 years of postdoctoral experience. You are a rigorous scientist who thrives in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment and is passionate about translating basic immunology insights into transformative oncology therapies.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute in vitro CAR‑T functional assays.
• Perform comprehensive phenotypic analysis of T cell differentiation, activation, and memory subsets.
• Evaluate CAR‑T cell trafficking and tumor infiltration in vivo using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry.
• Handling and engineering human and murine T cells as well as various cancer cells.
• Engineering and maintaining various cancer cell lines for model development.
• Analyze and interpret data, troubleshooting, maintain detailed experimental records.

Requirements

• A scientist in Immunology, Immuno‑Oncology, Tumor Immunology, Cancer Biology, or a closely related field.
• Candidates completing ther PhD within the past 3 years are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Primary human T cell isolation, activation, lentiviral transduction, and expansion is required.
• Multicolor flow cytometry: panel design, data acquisition (e.g., Attune, Novocyte, Cytek Aurora), and analysis (FlowJo).
• Standard molecular biology: PCR/qPCR, lentiviral vector packaging and titration, Western blot.
• Experience with humanized mouse models for in vivo CAR‑T evaluation.
• Proficiency in CAR‑T cell trafficking studies: IHC/IF of tumor sections, in vivo imaging.
• Familiarity with gene editing tools (CRISPR/Cas9) for cell engineering.
• Experience with in vitro Organoid cancer model establishment and expansion.
• Experience in solid tumor indications (e.g., lung, gastric, or other refractory cancers).
• Contributions to innovation in cell therapy (publications, patents, or conference presentations).

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The base pay range below is what Legend Biotech USA Inc. reasonably expects to offer at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, skills, qualifications, and geographic location. The company reserves the right to modify this range as needed and in accordance with applicable laws.

Other Types of Pay: Performance‑based bonus and/or equity is available to employees in eligible roles.

Benefits and Paid Time Off: Medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a 401(k) retirement plan with a company match that vests fully on day one. We offer eight (8) weeks of paid parental leave after just three (3) months of employment, and a paid time off policy that includes vacation time, personal time, sick time, floating holidays, and eleven (11) company holidays. Additional voluntary benefits include flexible spending and health savings accounts, life and AD&D insurance, short‑and‑long‑term disability coverage, legal assistance, and supplemental plans such as pet, critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance. We also provide voluntary commuter benefits, family planning and care resources, well‑being initiatives, and peer‑to‑peer recognition programs; demonstrating our ongoing commitment to building a culture where our people feel empowered, supported, and inspired to do their best work.

Pay Range (Base Pay):

$110,706—$145,303 USD

Please note: These benefits are offered exclusively to permanent full‑time employees. Contractors are not eligible for benefits through Legend Biotech.

Work Authorization & Employment Eligibility

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. As part of our commitment to maintaining a lawful workforce and ensuring compliance with federal employment regulations, we participate in the E‑Verify program. If you are selected for employment, you will be required to complete the Form I‑9 process, and your employment eligibility will be verified through E‑Verify in accordance with applicable federal law. We are committed to providing a fair, transparent, and welcoming hiring experience for all candidates.

EEO Statement

It is the policy of Legend Biotech to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances.

Employment is at‑will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause or notice by the employee or the company.

For information related to our privacy notice, please review: Legend Biotech Privacy Notice.