锦鲤求职岗位描述
Position Overview
We are seeking a highly experienced and scientifically driven Project Leader in Immunology (Associate Director or Director level) to lead discovery and early development efforts leveraging human primary cell–based in vitro functional assays to advance therapeutic antibody programs targeting autoimmune, inflammatory, and fibrotic diseases.
This role will serve as a key scientific and strategic leader, responsible for driving translational immunology efforts, integrating assay data into decision-making, and influencing target validation, lead optimization, and candidate selection. The individual will collaborate cross-functionally with antibody discovery/engineering, biology, in vivo pharmacology, translational sciences, and clinical teams.
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Key Responsibilities
Scientific Leadership
• Lead and shape immunology strategy for therapeutic antibody programs focused on autoimmune, inflammatory, and fibrotic diseases.
• Design, oversee, and interpret in vitro functional assays using human primary immune and non-immune cells (e.g., T cells, B cells, monocytes, dendritic cells, macrophages, ILCs, stromal cells, fibroblasts, and epithelial cells etc.).
• Establish disease-relevant assay systems to assess:
o Mechanism of action (MoA)
o Gene modification of downstream pathways
o Cell activation, differentiation, and signaling
o Cytokine production and immune modulation
o Epithelium-related pathways (e.g. TGF-β signaling, EMT, barrier dysfunction & damage)
o Fibrosis-related pathways (e.g., fibroblast activation, ECM deposition)
• Demonstrate robust inhibition of key disease-relevant pathways.
• Drive target validation, target engagement (e.g. receptor occupancy) and translational biomarker strategies using human-relevant in vitro cell culture models.
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Project Leadership
• Lead external (e.g. MNC collaboration) and internal programs
• Serve as project team leader or key functional representative for antibody discovery projects.
• Define and execute project strategy, timelines, and milestones from target validation through PCC nomination.
• Integrate data across disciplines (e.g., in vitro pharmacology, in vivo models, PK/PD, biomarker data).
• Present project updates, risks, and strategy to senior leadership and governance committees in English.
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Assay Development & Innovation
• Build and optimize robust, reproducible in vitro primary cell-based assays to support screening and characterization of antibody candidates.
• Apply advanced techniques (e.g., multi-color flow cytometry, multiplex cytokine analysis, molecular biology, and imaging etc.).
• Drive adoption of human-relevant and disease-relevant models, including co-culture systems and 3D models.
• Ensure assay scalability and readiness for lead characterization and optimization workflows.
• Establish and standardize SOPs for immunology and PD assays to ensure data accuracy, reproducibility, and lab efficiency
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Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner with:
o Antibody discovery/engineering for optimization of antibody properties
o In vivo pharmacology to connect in vitro findings to efficacy models
o Translational sciences to align biomarkers and clinical strategy
o Clinical teams to inform first-in-human strategies
• Help to establish PK/PD-efficacy relationships and enable human efficacious dose projection
• Support to identify and transfer clinical biomarker assays to the Clinical Biomarker group
• Establish strong working relationships with CRO partners in order to collaborate and foster information exchange and to enable efficient execution of work packages
• Contribute to regulatory documentation and IND-enabling packages as needed
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Qualifications
Education/background
• PhD degree in Immunology, Molecular Immunology, Cellular Immunology, or a closely related biomedical science discipline, with formal specialized training in immunology.
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Professional experience
• Associate Director: ~6–8+ years postdoctoral working experience in biotech, pharmaceutical, or related life sciences industry, with proven track record in immunology research and assay development.
• Director: ~8–16+ years with demonstrated leadership of discovery-stage programs in biotech, pharmaceutical, or related life sciences industry.
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Scientific Expertise
• Deep expertise in immunology and immune-mediated diseases, such as:
o Autoimmune disorders (e.g., RA, SLE, IBD)
o Chronic inflammation (e.g., COPD)
o Fibrotic diseases (e.g., pulmonary fibrosis)
• Strong experience with:
o Human primary cell biology for immune and non-immune cells
o Functional immunoassays (e.g., activation, suppression, proliferation, differentiation, killing, and cytokine readouts)
o Translational immunology approaches
• Experience in therapeutic antibody discovery/development such as mAb, BpAb, BsAb, TsAb, and related modalities including TCE, in vivo CAR-T, AOC is highly preferred.
• Prior experience in biotech or pharmaceutical R&D environments
• Understanding of fibrosis biology and stromal-immune interactions
• Experience leading cross-functional R&D teams and managing external research collaborations
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Required Skills and experience
• Advanced technical proficiency in:
o Flow cytometry: multi-color panel design, instrument operation for both conventional and spectral flow cytometer, data acquisition, high-dimensional cell phenotyping, and functional cell analysis for diverse primary immune and non-immune cell populations.
o Immune and non-immune cell profiling using a range of other techniques including, ELISA, MSD, Luminex, confocal microscopy, Western Blot, PCR/RT-PCR, ELISpot/FluoroSpot and Incucyte etc.
o All stages of pharmacodynamic (PD) assay development, optimization, validation, and data analysis for preclinical and clinical research.
o Primary lymphoid and myeloid immune cell subset isolation/purification using positive and negative selection strategies, culture, stimulation, and functional characterization from human and animal samples.
o Design, development, validation and implementation of complicated co-culture suppression and killing assays in 2D or 3D in vitro cellular model systems using primary immune/non-immune cells and immortal cell lines under sterile conditions.
o Development, evaluation and implementation of new technologies as required by the projects.
o Proven aseptic technique, attention to detail and acts independently to determine methods and procedures on new or special assignments.
o Multi-omics approaches (preferred)
o Data analysis and interpretation tools: FlowJo, GraphPad Prism, Image J, BioRender, AI, EndNote, ELN and LIMS.
• Scientific Knowledge: Deep and up-to-date scientific knowledge of cellular and molecular immunology, immune system regulation, immune cell function, and therapeutic modulation of immune responses.
• Data & Analytical Skills: Strong quantitative data analysis skills, experience with flow cytometry analysis software and statistical analysis tools; ability to interpret complex immunological data and drive scientific conclusions.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly present scientific data, write technical reports, and collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams in English.
• Problem-Solving: Strong troubleshooting skills for experimental and assay-related challenges, with a proactive and results-driven approach to research.
• Desire to work in a fast-paced, quickly changing environment, showing agility/flexibility to meet deadlines and goals and with a can-do attitude.
• A passion for science and demonstrated enthusiasm and drive to achieve company goals; adaptability and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
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Leadership & Competencies
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional project teams.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities in English.
• Track record of impactful scientific contributions (publications, patents, or pipeline advancement).
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Preferred Qualifications
• Experience in antibody discovery and engineering and delivery of antibody and antibody-based modality programs to PCC stage
• Experience with clinical sample analysis and clinical PD biomarker development
• Publication record in peer-reviewed immunology or pharmaceutical research journals.
• Experience transitioning programs from discovery into IND-enabling stages.
• Demonstrated ability to influence portfolio decisions.
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Key Success Factors
• Ability to translate in vitro human biology into actionable drug development insights.
• Strong balance of hands-on science and strategic leadership.
• Commitment to innovation and scientific excellence.
• Experience of both matrix and line management responsibility.
• Direct contribution to advancing next-generation antibody therapeutics addressing significant unmet medical needs in autoimmune, inflammatory, and fibrotic diseases.
• Experience with in vivo disease models of immunology, inflammation and fibrosis.
• Understanding of the clinical landscape for autoimmune disease treatments (e.g., immune checkpoint, depletion and cytokine blockade pathways).