Sr Scientist (Cancer Biology – Antibody Drug Conjugates)

Company Description

Zai Lab Limited (NASDAQ: ZLAB; HKEX: 9688) is an innovative, research-based, commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company based in China and the United States focused on bringing transformative medicines for oncology, autoimmune disorders, infectious diseases, and neurological disorders to patients in China and around the world. Our goal is to leverage our competencies and resources to positively impact human health worldwide.

Founded in 2014, our experienced team has secured partnerships with leading global biopharmaceutical  companies, generating a broad and late-stage pipeline of innovative drug candidates. Based on our proven  track record of  success, Zai Lab has earned the reputation as a trusted partner of choice for global biopharmaceutical companies seeking to not only access the Chinese market but also find a long-term strategic partner for global clinical development.  Our unique business model builds on our in-licensed assets and innovative partnerships to expand our internal discovery and development capabilities and has created a portfolio of potential best-in-class and/or first-in-class therapies. Zai currently has four products on the market in China

Zai Lab was successfully listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market in September 2017 and completed secondary listing on Hong Kong Stock Exchange in September 2020. In 2022, Zai Lab became dual-primary listed on both the Nasdaq and the Hong Kong Stock Exchanges. Since its inception, Zai Lab has expanded significantly with several offices across China. In 2021, Zai Lab established its U.S. Headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  As of January 2022, the Company has a global team of approximately 2000 employees.

Job Description

This position focuses on the identification, validation, and advancement of novel therapeutic candidates that are designed to target cancer cells.  S/He performs hands-on experiments in vitro and ex vivo to examine target expression, mechanism of action, and potency of our emerging antibody or antibody-drug conjugate therapeutics.  (This position is onsite in our new lab in San Diego!)

• Provide experimental support and biology expertise for discovery and validation of new drug targets and preclinical development for existing projects in the space of antibody and antibody-drug conjugate.
• Implement in-vitro assays for evaluating activity and mechanism of action of dug candidates using cell lines, primary cell cultures and patient samples.
• Develop and perform routine in vitro assays for advancing drug candidates in antibody and antibody-drug conjugate field including but not limited to flow cytometry-based cell binding assay, cytotoxicity assay, internalization assay, apoptosis assay, bystander killing assay, ADC stability assay, gene knockdown/knockout using siRNA/CRISPR, ADCC assay, ADCP assay, CDC assay, luminescence/fluorescence assay, qPCR, ELISA, western blot, immune staining, gene delivery with lenti/retro virus.
• Develop and perform high-throughput cell-based screening assays for target screening and antibody-drug candidate screening.
• Support ex vivo analysis to examine drug mechanism of action, pharmacodynamics and biomarker discovery.
• Perform laboratory bench work with minimal supervision and present the results/findings internally and externally.
• Analyze and present data as well as rationale and design of in vitro studies to the department and project teams.
• Routine lab management is part of the job (10%)
• Work collaboratively on multiple projects concurrently and coordinate activities across functions.

Qualifications

REQUIRED

• MS with 7 years’ industry experience in cell biology/immunology/cancer biology or a related field; or equivalent combination of education, training and experience. 

PREFERRED

• Demonstrated success in designing, conducting, and analyzing data with minimal supervision.
• Experience with laboratory techniques to evaluate drug potency and MOA: may include flow cytometry, cell-based cytotoxicity assays, 2D/3D cell culture, CRISPR and gene editing, flow cytometry, Internalization assays etc…
• Experience with antibody drug conjugate is preferred.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, and capability to conduct research in fast-paced, cross-functional team environment; ability to communicate results within discovery biology team and at project team meetings required.
• Excellent troubleshooting and data analysis skills are required.
• Excellent organization skills and details oriented.

Zai Lab US requires all employees who are working onsite or who are in customer facing positions to be vaccinated against COVID-19 (subject to any legally required exemptions)

Additional Information

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be be