Scientist/Senior Scientist Organoid Immuno-Oncology

Asgard Therapeutics is a spin-off from Lund University, Sweden, aiming to advance cancer immunotherapies by harnessing direct cell fate reprogramming technologies. Our lead program, AT-108, is a adenovirus-based gene therapy that reprograms cancer cells into antigen-presenting dendritic cells, unleashing the immune system against cancer. Asgard is expanding its multidisciplinary team that understands the value and opportunities of working in a startup based in a unique platform technology. We are looking for candidate who are creative and passionate about making a contribution to the cancer immunotherapy field and improve patients’ lives.
Position overview
We are seeking a highly enthusiastic and innovative Scientist/Senior Scientist searching for an opportunity to help building an early-stage company and contribute to the development of next generation cancer immunotherapies.
The successful candidate should have the ability to design experiments autonomously, analyze complex data, troubleshoot technical issues, and supervise junior staff. Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills are required. Experimental rigor, scientific curiosity, and ability to work in a fast-paced environment, adapting to evolving priorities are musts. The position will be lab-based and research activities will be performed in collaboration with the Cell Reprogramming in Hematopoiesis and Immunity Lab at Lund University (www.pereiralab.com).
Profile
Scientist/Senior Scientist with background in tumor immunology to work in the experimental validation of AT-108. The candidate will be responsible for establishing patient-derived monolayer and organoid/tumoroids 3D cell culture models to validate AT-108 efficacy ex vivo. The ideal candidate should have a Ph.D. degree in an immunology-related field with relevant laboratory experience in academia or biotech industry, including experience in mammalian cell culture including primary cell isolation and handling, as well as 3D co-culture systems.
Responsibilities
Establish patient-derived organoid models and perform detailed phenotyping using cutting-edge image analysis and flow cytometry analysis.
Troubleshoot technical difficulties encountered in primary spheroid/organoid/tumoroid establishment, growth (media and growth factors) and testing.
Establish methods to characterize the immune response induced by AT-108 ex vivo, including multi-color flow cytometry, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, T cell co-culture systems, among other immune assays.
Evaluate AT-108 ex-vivo efficacy in human monolayer and spheroid, organoid, and tumoroid models in terms of cDC1 reprogramming efficiency, as well as co-culture with relevant immune cell population to characterize induced immune response.
Design, plan, and execute scientific experiments autonomously to complete program and company goals within designated timelines.
Collect and document primary data to maintain up to date records.
Analyze, summarize data in reports and communicate outputs to Asgard’s R&D and executive leadership team.

Qualifications:
PhD in Immunology, Cancer Biology, Biology or related field, with 0-5 years of post- graduation experience in academic or industrial environment. Applicants within 2-years after completing their PhD studies are encouraged to apply.
Extensive experience with general in vitro 2D and 3D cell culture techniques, including handling and processing primary tissue samples.
Demonstrated knowledge of cancer immunotherapies, including experience in developing relevant ex-vivo immuno-oncology models (patient-derived organoids) to understand mechanism of action underlying preclinical efficacy of cancer therapies.
Experience in dendritic cell biology and antigen presentation mechanisms is ideal, T cell biology is also attractive.
Experience in the development and application of tumor biology-related in vitro assays, including multi-color flow cytometry for immune profiling, FACS, T-cell cytotoxicity assays, complex cell-based functional assays (such as antigen presentation and cancer cell cytotoxicity).
Experience in imaging-based approaches for 3D culture systems.

Literature:
Zimmermannova O, Ferreira A, Ascic E, Santiago M, Kurochkin I, Hansen M, Met Ö, Inês Caiado I, Shapiro I, Michaux J, Humbert M, Soto-Cabrera D, Benonisson H, Silvério- Alves R, Gomez-Jimenez D, Bernardo C, Bauden M, Andersson R, Höglund M, Miharada K, Nakamura Y, Hugues S, Greiff L, Lindstedt M, Rosa F, Pires C, Bassani-Sternberg M, Svane I, Pereira CF. Restoring Tumor Immunogenicity with Dendritic Cell Reprogramming. Science Immunology 8, eadd4817 (2023).
Rosa FF, Pires CF, Kurochkin I, Halitzki E, Zahan T, Arh N, Zimmermannová O, Ferreira AG, Li H, Karlsson S, Scheding S, Pereira CF. Single-cell transcriptional profiling informs efficient reprogramming of human somatic cells to cross-presenting dendritic cells. Sci Immunol. 2022 Mar 4;7(69):eabg5539.
Zimmermannova O, Caiado I, Ferreira AG and Pereira C-F (2021) Cell Fate Reprogramming in the Era of Cancer Immunotherapy. Immunol. 12:714822. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.714822
Pires CF, Rosa FF, Kurochkin I and Pereira C-F (2019) Understanding and Modulating Immunity With Cell Reprogramming. Front. Immunol. 10:2809. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2019.02809.
Rosa FF, Pires CF, Kurochkin I, Ferreira AG, Gomes A, Palma LG, Shaiv K, Solanas L, Azenha C, Papatsenko D, Schulz O, Reis e Sousa C, Pereira CF. Direct Reprogramming of Fibroblasts into Antigen-Presenting Dendritic Cells. Science Immunology 2018, 7, 3 (30).

Application:
Please email your CV, cover letter and contact information for two references to careers@asgardthx.com to apply. Asgard will review applications on a rolling basis and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.