Director of Technology Innovation
LOCATION: Seattle, WA or Durham, NC
What We Value:
Tune Therapeutics is a cutting-edge biotechnology company developing novel epigenome modifiers for the treatment of disease, with interests in both cell and gene therapy. Across our Durham and Seattle sites, our team brings together committed scientists with expertise ranging from basic discovery to clinical development. We are excited about discovery-stage science as well as translating new technologies to improve patient health in the clinic.
Job Description:
Come and join us at Tune Therapeutics and help bring next generation epi genetic editing tools to the clinic! We are looking for a strong, creative and proven scientific leader to strengthen and expand our Technology Innovation effort. The Tech innovation group is truly the hub of the wheel at Tune and will drive the evolution of epi genetic editing products across indications.
The Head of Tech Innovation lead the team that will identify and optimize the next generation of Tune’s epi editors, improve the effectiveness of delivery technologies for both ex vivo and in vivo programs, and integrate our informatics and data science capabilities. Specifically, this person will grow a team that will establish unique capabilities to identify improved epi editor constructs for optimal performance, as well as develop new and creative ways to deliver these constructs both for ex vivo products and for in vivo gene therapy. The ideal leader will work cross functionally with our teams to build our screening and bioinformatics capabilities. A great candidate would have experience designing a variety of complex viral based (lentivirus and AAV) and non-viral (mRNA based, LNP, DNA donor template) constructs, have experience using viral and non viral constructs for integration into multiple cell types and ideally bring creative solutions for high throughput screening.
The Head of Tech Innovation will integrate a variety of research efforts with a creative team on various delivery platforms for different epi genetic drug product concepts, through in-house or industrial or academic collaborations. The team will explore and invent novel applications for the next generation of constructs, expand horizons of delivery and coordinate the teams design, initiation, and execution of a variety of studies, including those conducted at CROs, and interpret data and implications
To be considered for this position, the well qualified candidate will have an advanced degree (PhD, MS) or equivalent in Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular and Cell Biology, Physiology, or related fields and 10+ or more years of experience designing and working with viral and non-viral genetic cargo constructs and related technologies for therapeutic applications. Experience should include public presentation of scientific items both internally and externally.
Responsibilities:
- Build on existing expertise and capabilities and expand the technology innovation team to enable robust evolution of the next generation of our epi editor technology
- Work with the team to create new constructs and concepts to enhance our technology
- Build creative solutions for delivering our constructs into ex vivo cell products and for in vivo therapeutic applications
- Coordinate with the bioinformatics group to build pipelines for screening new constructs and for evaluating new concepts in a variety of cell types
- Drive the high-level strategy for what the next generation of technology should be at Tune; be involved in external BD evaluations of technology
- Manage a team of molecular biologists, viral and non-viral delivery scientists who will coordinate the innovation needs of the indication teams
Preferred Skills and Experience:
- PhD plus 10 years experience in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics or other similar discipline with significant experience in viral and non-viral (mRNA, plasmid DNA, LNP, etc) design. Industry experience preffered. BS or MS considered with 15+ years experience post degree.
- Experience managing teams in the lab doing both molecular and cellular workflows.
- Experience with optimization of lentiviral vector constructs, mRNA optimization, DNA donor template design and related work; any work with various types of inducible constructs, logic gates, LNP design, etc. a plus
- Experience with CRISPR library screening (standard or CRISPRi/CRISPRa) would be preferred; either designing or working with teams to design, execute and analyze.
- Experience with high throughput (or semi-high) screening for identifying optimal constructs in multiple cell types
- Experience with genetic cargo delivery, both permanent integration and transient delivery in multiple indications and cells types
- Experience with bioinformatics workflows in a cloud -based environment.
How to Apply:
Please send cover letter and resume to careers@tunetx.com with the job title in the subject line.
Tune Therapeutics is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. Tune Therapeutics is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment.
