Careers

Position Overview

We are seeking a research scientist who will help develop magnetic nanoparticle-labeled adoptive cell therapies for use with our magnetic particle imaging (MPI) clinical application. Your primary responsibilities will be to establish high-throughput and cell-based assays to characterize nanoparticles, and develop robust mammalian and human immune cell-based models (T and NK cell specific) for nanoparticle tracer labeling, in collaboration with our external partners. You will work in our lab as well as collaborator labs, under the direction of translational research management. In the short term, you will establish robust cell labeling documentation. In the long term, you will be the lead researcher in support of internal and external preclinical and clinical studies.

About Magnetic Insight

Magnetic Insight is a venture-backed and government (NIH) grant-funded biotech startup that’s bringing to market the first new medical imaging technology in 40 years. Our mission is to establish clinical Magnetic Particle Imaging as a powerful tool for monitoring the treatment of solid tumor cancers and inflammatory diseases. To succeed, we’re bringing together a diverse group of scientists, engineers, and specialists located primarily in the San Francisco East Bay Area, CA. We are backed by a pioneering group of investors and VCs, including Celesta, 5am, and Kaiser Permanente. We are focusing on technology development in this funding round, so we’ll continue to fundraise as we complete deliverables and pass milestones. We are looking for talented, agile, and hardworking people, who want to collaborate and innovate with a tight knit team and embrace the start-up rollercoaster ride.

Magnetic Insight’s Core Values:

• Customer Focus: We succeed as a company only when we satisfy our customers.
• Resourcefulness: We prioritize, focus, and act creatively with the resources available.
• Clarity: Clear leadership, vision, and goals are necessary for the organization to operate at its best.
• Collaboration: We achieve synergy and excellence when team members have a safe space to speak and contribute.
• Empiricism: We use data and apply quantitative reasoning when making decisions and developing processes.

Education and Experience Requirements

Required

• Ph.D. in Immunology, Cell Biology, or a related field.
  • Scientist: 0 – 3 years of professional experience.
  • Senior Scientist: 2-5 years of professional experience.
• Deep experience with lymphocyte biology (e.g. T cells, NK cells) and in vitro characterization techniques.
• Cell culture expertise with human and animal primary cells.
• Immunological assay development experience.

Preferred

• Demonstrated expertise through peer-reviewed publications, white papers, and conference presentations.
• Experience developing CAR T, NK, or ACT in vitro models.
• Experience labeling cells with iron oxide nanoparticles
• Experience working in a GxP environment.
• Experience contributing to regulatory filings.
• Experience working with clinical imaging equipment (MRI, CT, PET, etc.)
• Experience managing external collaborations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (In addition to those listed, other duties may be assigned.)

• Hands-on laboratory work to culture cells and conduct functional and phenotypic characterization tests.
• Oversee development and release of cell labeling documentation.
• Plan and organize experiments for both internal and collaborative research.
• Write and review study plans, research reports, and experimental operating procedures.
• Provide scientific insights and recommendations for the department’s strategy.

Other Skills and Abilities

• Expertise in primary cell culture, fluorescence microscopy, cytotoxicity assays, and general immunological assays.
• Understanding and hands-on expertise in cancer immunotherapy, particularly using engineered CAR-T and/or TCR-T cells.
• Able to work collaboratively with internal teammates and external collaborators.
• Able to develop and present scientific findings.
• Adheres to Magnetic Insight’s policies and procedures.

Magnetic Insight’s Culture

In December, our team met to discuss our existing culture and what makes us unique. Some of the attributes mentioned were:

• There is a sense of belonging and ideas are welcomed from anyone.
• We truly must collaborate – and we do! We rely heavily on each other as resources.
• The company accepts and encourages prioritizing your family and personal health.
• There is an unusual level of empathy.
• Employees are given structure with directives from management, but employees are relied upon to prioritize themselves.
• Mistakes aren’t punished. No one really points the finger. We see how to fix it and move on.
  • Comment from management: We want to continually evaluate this to make sure these qualities aren’t falling apart under stress.
• Leadership listens, accepts feedback, and implements change. They show appreciation.
• As a small company, we’re learning as we go and adjusting along the way.
• We are on board with riding the swings, embracing the challenges, and doing tasks that aren’t always fun in order to get the job done.

And finally: we have a real shot at actually helping patients.

Magnetic Insight’s Benefits

• 100% medical, dental, and vision benefits for employees and 90% for dependents
• HSA, FSA, commuter benefits
• HSA employer contributions
• Waiver stipends for those not utilizing medical benefits
• Employer-paid life insurance/ AD&D up to your annual salary
• Long-term disability coverage
• 10 paid holidays, 3 weeks of vacation, and 6 days sick leave
• 2 week paid sabbatical leave after every 3 years of service
• 2 weeks paid parental leave
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• 401(k) employer match
• Equity stock option grants
• Personalized financial planning services from the provider Origin
• Cell phone allowance
• Shuttle to/from BART and the Ferry Terminal to our Alameda facility provided by Harbor Bay Business Park

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Reports to: Executive Director, Translational Research and Development

Classification: Full-time, salaried, exempt

Schedule: Regular full-time working hours, ability to work evening hours and overtime as needed.

Workplace Location: [This position is on-site full time at our office in Alameda, CA. After the 90-day introductory period, partial remote work may be granted as agreed upon with the employee’s manager.]

If interested, please submit a resume and cover letter answering the questions of what you’re looking for in the role and why Magnetic Insight to careers@magneticinsight.com.

Our Company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, pregnancy, national origin, citizenship status, uniform service member status, age, genetic information, disability, and for employees working in California, ancestry, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, marital status, protected medical condition, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws.