Title:

Assistant Lead, TCR Discovery Team Location:

Upper East Side Org Unit:

MCC Laboratories Work Days:

Weekly Hours:

35.00

Exemption Status:

Exempt

Salary Range:

$128,700.00 - $146,100.00

•As required under NYC Human Rights Law Int 1208-2018 - Salary range for this role when Hired for NYC Offices Position Summary

The Assistant Lead, TCR Discovery, is responsible for supporting the development of a rigorous, high‑throughput discovery and preclinical development engine that identifies high throughput and with high confidence tumor-specific TCRs for downstream analysis, engineering, and translational development.

Job Responsibilities

Design & implement end-to-end personalized TCR discovery workflow incl. tumor-reactive T cell identification, TCR cloning & characterization, specificity validation, & safety de-risking leading to the selection of personalized TCRs for clinical application

Design and implement advanced de-risking methods and workflows to assess alloreactivity, unintended HLA interactions, off-target toxicity risk including X-scan, peptide library screens and library-on-library HTS

Interpret and report complex campaigns for identification of TCRs against known tumor antigens

Integrate data across functional potency, specificity, and safety to support go/no-go decisions on specific TCRs, their cloning, specificity validation, and safety de-risking

Prepare translational packages (reports, assay descriptions, validation summaries) supporting IND/CTA‑enabling preclinical data

Collaborate with cross functional teams to integrate learnings and advance gene therapy initiatives

Operate with highest integrity and ethics, conduct all experiments following lab, department, and college policies and procedures

Mentor and train junior scientists and staff, promote scientific rigor, collaboration, independent thinking, and career advancement.

Prepare scientific abstracts and articles, publish results in research journals, and present findings at conferences

Education

PhD in Immunology, Molecular/Cell Biology, Genetic Engineering or related field

Experience A minimum of 8+ years post-PhD experience in academia or industry setting.

Prior experience in TCR discovery, complex immune assays and preclinical development is required.

Experience working across functional teams.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Deep expertise in high-throughput TCR discovery, functional validation, and safety de-risking.

Ability to work in a fast-paced and milestone-oriented environment

Passion for scientific innovation and the bridging of rigorous basic science with translational impact.

Familiar with advancing candidates from discovery through preclinical validation to IND enabling.

Highly organized and detail-oriented with excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Licenses and Certifications

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

Ability to work flexible hours, evenings and weekends, when requested for special projects. Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of "any person, any study." No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual's genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA). We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.