Research Specialist A​/B

Research Specialist A/B

This position will support the lab's efforts to advance new therapeutics toward the clinic and contribute to the scientific work published from the lab. Its focus will be assisting with the testing of new engineered T cells and helping evaluate their functional activity, as a single agent or in combination, to enhance therapeutic T cell performance, particularly within tumor microenvironments. This position requires foundational laboratory skills and a willingness to learn CAR T cell manufacturing, flow cytometry, ELISA, and other in vitro assays, as well as basic in vivo mouse handling, working under close supervision.

The primary function of this Research Specialist A position is to perform routine in vitro and in vivo mouse study tasks, assist with colony maintenance, and support day-to-day operation of the research bench, all within the BRITE (Shobaki) Lab under the close supervision of Nour Shobaki. The purpose of this position is to support mouse studies by assisting with the generation and characterization of engineered immune therapeutics, growing and developing tumor cells, performing injections, monitoring animal health, weight, and therapeutic responses, and collecting datasets from the study (tumor growth, therapeutic engraftment, histology, ex vivo assays).

This position also collects and organizes experimental data and presents results at lab group meetings, under the direction of the Principal Investigator.

The primary function of this Research Specialist B position is to conduct in vitro and in vivo mouse studies, and assist with day-to-day operation of the research bench, all within the BRITE (Shobaki) Lab under the direction of Nour Shobaki. The purpose of this position is to support mouse studies by generating and characterizing engineered immune therapeutics, growing and developing tumor cells, performing injections, monitoring animal health, weight, and therapeutic responses, and collecting datasets from the study (tumor growth, therapeutic engraftment, histology, ex vivo assays).

This position also documents and organizes experimental data and contributes to the preparation of presentations and research publications, under the guidance of the Principal Investigator.

Research Specialist A

• Perform routine in vitro immunological assays, including CAR T cell manufacturing support, flow cytometry, and ELISA, following established protocols under close supervision.
• Assist with in vivo mouse studies, including tumor cell and therapeutic injections, animal health monitoring, and tumor growth measurements, under the direct supervision of senior lab staff.
• Prepare tumor cells and materials for in vivo experiments as directed, maintaining accurate records of preparation and use
• Collect and record data from animal studies, including weights, tumor measurements, bleeds, and necropsies, under supervision
• Prepare tissues for downstream analyses (flow cytometry, IHC, spatial transcriptomics) as directed by senior lab staff.
• Help with general lab operations, including ordering and receiving supplies and maintaining lab organization
• Collect, organize, and help analyze experimental data; present data at lab group meetings. Maintain accurate records of experiments and lab documentation to support compliance and timely completion of deliverables.
• Assist with maintenance of the mouse colony under supervision.

Research Specialist B

• Conduct in vitro immunological functional assays, including CAR T cell manufacturing, flow cytometry, and ELISA, following established protocols; troubleshoot experimental issues as they arise.
• Conduct in vivo mouse studies, executing established protocols under the direction of the PI.
• Prepare tumor cells and engineered immune therapies for in vivo experiments, documenting their characteristics and performing assays to assess functional performance.
• Monitor and collect datasets associated with animal studies, including health monitoring and weights, tumor growth (caliper, bioimaging), bleeds, and necropsies. Perform IV, IT, IP, and SC injections of tumor cells and therapeutics.
• Prepare tissues at necropsy by fixing and isolating cells…