Research Associate II

at  Immatics US

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt/ Hourly
Schedule: Monday – Friday; 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM; On-Site
Department: CMC – PD/AD
Reports to: Principal Scientist, CMC – PD/AD
Supervisory responsibilities: No
Location: 13203 Murphy Rd. Stafford, TX 77477
Position Summary/objective:
The Research Associate II’s primary role will be to support the company’s ongoing clinical trials by performing complex, highly specialized, and time sensitive technical cell manipulation and/or analytical tests to characterize and assess the functionality of lentivirus, final products under minimal supervision. This position will work with the current Process and Analytical Development team to facilitate the development of clinical and non-clinical assays and provide technical input

Essential functions:

• Perform cell growth and manipulation procedures for the generation of T cell products including, but not limited to, cell enrichment and evaluation, cell culture, cellular product cryopreservation, and cell product thaw/wash.
• Accurate and timely documentation of data in experiment trackers and electronic lab notebooks.
• Assists/performs vector-associated assays, eg. vector stability and potency assays with limited supervision.
• Performs qPCR-based assay.
• Assists with data analyses e.g., general readouts from common assays, assist in data compilation or presentations.
• Performs complex, highly specialized, time sensitive cell culturing processes for generation of T cell products using standard protocols.
• Assist/performs phenotypic and functional characterizations of the products using advanced analytical techniques with Supervision.
• Keeps inventory of reagents

Secondary functions:

• Ability to clearly communicate and identify problems
• Basic ability to troubleshoot problems or provide suitable solutions
• Assists/participates in writing official documents, e.g. Study plans, Research Reports, Study reports, WIs, SOPs.
• Assists with laboratory organization and cleanliness including reagent & supply management and placing orders.
• May present scientific results in team or department meetings

• Other responsibilities assigned based on business need, skills and capabilities

  Competencies:

• Independent Working: Routine tasks: Limited supervision, Non-standard tasks: Close supervision

• Communication: Clear & efficient communication, Common courtesy, Interaction mainly limited to own team (peers & supervisor)
• Problem Solving: Ability to identify, analyze & communicate problems. Basic ability to develop suitable solutions.
• Critical thinking: Basic reflection on standard processes. Identification of basic need & room for improvement within own/narrow scope
• Initiative: High degree of initiative & intrinsic motivation to exceed basic expectations (own task & responsibilities)
• Organizational & Prioritization Skills: Basic organizational skills required to structure own daily tasks according to predefined work packages, schedule & standard lab processes. Prioritization in close interaction with supervisor.
• Coachability: Receive pre-defined on-the-job training essential for area of responsibility. High responsiveness to constructive criticism & basic ability to autonomously reflect on required improvements & timely implementation of suggested improvements
• Leadership Skills, Training & Supervision: Basic leadership skill required for on-the-job training & guidance/support of (new) team members (e.g. providing & receiving feedback, empathy, honesty, reliability). Train, instruct & coordinate E level and train D&C level during onboarding

Work environment:
Approximately 50-95% of the Research Associate II’s time will be in the laboratory setting. Laboratory workers are exposed to numerous potential hazards (including flammable liquids, chemicals, bloodborne pathogens, and others). Working in the lab requires frequent standing, wearing appropriate lab attire, frequent hand washing, no drinking and eating in the lab, and wearing personal protective equipment. Occasional lifting of objects up to 25 lbs is expected. There may be frequent interruptions with moderate noise levels and frequent use of printers, copiers, scanners, computers and other office equipment. Ability to sit, talk, walk, hear and communicate verbally and in writing is required.
Physical demands:
-

Communicating Verbally – expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word to impart oral information to others to convey detailed spoken instructions or other workers accurately, loudly or quickly.

• Hearing – the ability to hear, understand, and distinguish speech and/or other sounds one-on-one, group or conference, telephone, and other sounds.
• Keyboarding – entering data or text into a computer or other machine by means of a keyboard. Devices include a traditional keyboard, 10 key-pad, touch screens and others.
• Lifting - raising or lowering an object (up to 25 lbs) from one level to another (includes upward pulling). Carrying is to transport an object – usually by holding it in the hands or arms but may occur on the shoulder.
• Near Visual Acuity – clarity of vision at approximately 20 inches or less (working with small objects, reading small print, including the use of computers).
• Pushing - Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves away from the object.
• Pulling - Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves toward the force.
• Sitting – remaining in a sitting position for at least 50% of the time.
• Standing/Walking - remain on one’s feet in an upright position at a workstation.

• Stooping – occasional bending the body downward and forward by bending the spine at the waist - requiring full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.

  Travel required: Domestic travel for team building activities e.g. department retreat or professional development 1-2 times a year.

Required education and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biological Science or related field

• 2+yearsof relevant experience in cellular manufacturing, vector related work, qPCR based-assay, process & analytical development or in related biological or biochemical applications

  Preferred education and experience:

• Master’s degree in Biological Science or related field

• 2+years of cellular manufacturing and/or process & analytical development, or in a biological science-based laboratory research position, process documentation.

  Work authorization/security clearance requirements:
  Legal eligibility to work in the United States is required. Immatics participates in E-Verify and all new employees will be subject to the Department of Homeland Security requirements for employment
  Affirmative Action/EEO statement:
  Immatics is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, marital status, age, physical or mental disability, medicalconditions, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.”
  Other duties:
  Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. This job description may not cover all duties that take place on a daily basis and may be changed as business needs change. Employees will be responsible for adapting and learning the duties as described above or as the new ones are introduced

• Perform cell growth and manipulation procedures for the generation of T cell products including, but not limited to, cell enrichment and evaluation, cell culture, cellular product cryopreservation, and cell product thaw/wash.
• Accurate and timely documentation of data in experiment trackers and electronic lab notebooks.
• Assists/performs vector-associated assays, eg. vector stability and potency assays with limited supervision.
• Performs qPCR-based assay.
• Assists with data analyses e.g., general readouts from common assays, assist in data compilation or presentations.
• Performs complex, highly specialized, time sensitive cell culturing processes for generation of T cell products using standard protocols.
• Assist/performs phenotypic and functional characterizations of the products using advanced analytical techniques with Supervision.
• Keeps inventory of reagent