"Staff Associate II"

Job Responsibilities

The Haubner Lab in the Columbia Initiative in Cell Engineering and Therapy (CICET) seeks a highly motivated Staff Associate II to join our team conducting translational research with focus on gene-engineered cellular therapies targeting myeloid malignancies including acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

The Haubner Lab leverages genetic engineering, pre-clinical models and patient samples to understand mechanisms of AML resistance and toxicities in the context of CAR therapies including those under current clinical investigation, to develop novel CAR strategies adapted to the complex AML biology and microenvironment. Our mission is to transform mechanistic insights into clinically translatable engineering solutions to establish synthetic immunity against AML and other myeloid malignancies.

Ideal candidates are well-versed in translational immunology and bone marrow malignancies, and have prior experience with pre-clinical CAR T cell research involving CAR design, gene transfer and gene editing of primary immune cells, as well as complex xenograft models to evaluate CAR-associated toxicities and interaction with the leukemic bone marrow microenvironment.

This position will directly report to the Principal Investigator, Dr. Haubner, and will work in an ambitious and collaborative research environment including CICET and other initiatives at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC).

Haubner Lab weblink: https://labs.vagelos.columbia.edu/haubnerlab/

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in specific research field
• Minimum 1 year professional work experience (4 years recommended)

Preferred Qualifications

• Research experience in a biology lab – wet lab experience
• Versed in primary immune cell culture and gene engineering of T cells and hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells
• Experience with pre-clinical modeling of bone marrow microenvironment
• Versed in molecular biology and basic laboratory techniques
• Experience in mouse handling
• Ability to independently perform animal procedures including tail-vein, intraperitoneal and retroorbital injections, in vivo bioluminescence imaging
• Experience with multi-parameter flow cytometry
• Proficiency at performing complicated experiments in a timely manner
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain detailed electronic laboratory record.
• Effective communication and writing skills and record of publication in peer-reviewed journals
• Excellent experimental and analytic skills and willingness to learn new model systems and methodologies
• Self-motivated with a strong interest in studying the mechanistic and translational aspects of CAR T cell therapy in cancer
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences

Role-specific competencies and skill requirements

• Willingness and ability to work with mice
• Technical accuracy, reliability, and attention to the details of procedural protocols, organizational skills, adherence to safety guidelines and the ability to work in a team
• Excellent organizational and communication skills and a strong interest in biological sciences
• Participation in the medical surveillance program:
  • Laboratory animals
  • Potential bloodborne pathogen exposure
• Must successfully complete applicable systems training requirements

Required Documents

• Cover letter describing experience and motivation for applying to the position
• CV
• Information for three reference letter writers, please describe relation to candidate

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Pay Transparency Disclosure

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.