Research Associate​/Associate Scientist, Molecular Analytics; Analytical & Product Sciences

About us:

Our purpose at Dispatch is to help create a world where all cancer patients can be cured. We’re humbled by the opportunity to work together as a team on some of the most pressing medical challenges of our time.

To achieve our purpose, we are dedicated to engineering a universal treatment across solid tumors. We’re committed to the development of novel therapies, leveraging first-in‑class technologies in viral vectors, universal targets, and novel cytokine biology. Our therapeutic approach has the potential to enable us to treat significant numbers of cancer patients and make a real and lasting impact on the world.

Our company was founded on pioneering work carried out in the laboratories of Dr. Carl June (University of Pennsylvania), Dr. Kole Roybal (University of California, San Francisco), Dr. Christopher Garcia (Stanford University) and Dr. Andy Minn (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center).

At our company, you would become one of our early team members— not only playing a role in meeting our ambitious mission but also building our thriving culture. We are determined to deliver with urgency to discover new solutions and we always stay dedicated to scientific rigor; we have an ownership mindset because each and every one of us is integral to our success.

Collaboration is core for us because we believe that by bringing people together with diverse perspectives, we make a stronger whole. And, we show we care about our work and each other by sharing feedback - ultimately in service of our vision to empower people to continue forward with their lives – cancer free.

The role:

The Research Associate/Associate Scientist will support the development, qualification, tech transfer, and routine execution of analytical methods for Dispatch’s portfolio of product candidates, including therapeutic viruses, viral vectors, and autologous CAR T cells. Reporting into the Scientist III, Analytical & Product Sciences (APS), this individual will be focused on building foundational, and progressively expansive competency in experimental design and analytical development, with an emphasis on molecular and genomic techniques (e.g., PCR, qPCR, ddPCR, electrophoresis, NGS‑based assays) used to characterize viruses and cells.

The incumbent will contribute to method development activities, execute routine sample testing to generate reliable and well‑documented data, and provide consistent analytical support to cross‑functional collaborators. Working under the guidance of senior level scientists, this individual is expected to progress from executing standard experiments toward greater independence in experimental design, data interpretation, and troubleshooting.

Key responsibilities:

• Contribute to the development, optimization, and qualification of new analytical methods under the guidance of senior level scientists.
• Build and demonstrate competency in experimental design, including selection of appropriate controls and study design, with increasing independence.
• Perform routine sample testing and execute established analytical methods (e.g., qPCR, ddPCR, NGS‑based assays) to support release, stability, and characterization testing of CAR T cells and therapeutic viruses.
• Provide reliable and timely analytical support to cross‑functional collaborators, including process development, candidate development, and platform research teams.
• Accurately and promptly record data in the electronic lab notebook (ELN) and maintain organized, audit‑ready documentation.
• Assist with troubleshooting of routine technical and instrument issues, and support method transfer activities, both internally and with external partners (e.g., CDMOs), as directed.
• Communicate experimental results clearly to supervisors and team members through data summaries, presentations, and team meetings.
• Maintain lab equipment, supplies, and inventory, and comply with all safety and quality requirements.
• Actively participate in seminars, journal clubs, and team meetings, and pursue ongoing scientific and professional development.

Required experience & skills:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree ideally in Molecular/Cell Biology, Immunology, Biomedical Engineering, or a…