Year in industry – Pipeline Biology | High-Throughput Cell Assay Development

Oxford, England, United Kingdom

1/7/2025

Location of role Oxford, UK

Department Biology Pipeline

Key Responsibilities We have an opportunity in the Biology Pipeline team (Research) for a 12-month placement (Year in Industry). We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual who would relish the chance to learn from Immunocore’s cutting edge science and corporate growth.

Biology Pipeline is responsible for functional cell-based screening and validation of newly generated ImmTAX molecules for their ability to modulate T cell activity in a target peptide-HLA specific manner. This is done by detecting changes in T cell activation markers (cell surface and transcription factor expression), cytokine production and cytotoxic ability. Those ImmTAX molecules with the most favourable potency and specificity profile are identified and selected to progress through the pipeline.

Despite having well established and sensitive methods, the team is always looking to improve efficiency to accelerate and scale up ImmTAX discovery. We aim to develop and implement high-throughput screening capabilities into the cell biology pipeline utilising automated liquid handling capabilities. We will adapt and optimise our existing assays whilst also exploring new technologies.

Key Responsibilities

A placement student working on this project would learn to design, develop, and optimise immune cell-based assays for screening biologics. They would also learn to operate and program laboratory robotics to automate those assays. There would be extensive opportunity for collaboration between Biology Pipeline and the Assay Development and High‑Throughput Screening team. The work would be comprised of the following activities:

• Training in mammalian cell culture and standard in vitro immune cell-based assays commonly used in Biology Pipeline.
• Design and optimisation of a T cell activation readout assay system with improved throughput. This can include NFAT reporter, cytokine release, flow cytometry and/or cytotoxicity assays.
• Transfer of optimised assay onto liquid handler robot requiring the writing of automation programs and user protocols.
• Validation of automated screening methodology using quantitative QC approaches.
• Building database workflows to record and analyse data from high-throughput cell-based assays.
• Implementation of this high-throughput cell-based assay onto an active Immunocore research pipeline project.
  
  

Education & Qualifications

Undertaking (currently in second year and looking for a year in industry) BSc. in Biological or Biomedical Sciences with an immunology component.

What will you receive?

Join Immunocore for a paid placement and gain insights from our innovative science and corporate growth. You’ll enjoy 25 days of annual leave (pro rata), pension scheme eligibility, and access to our active Sports and Social Club with subsidized events.

Please note this is a full-time position is based at our Abingdon, Oxfordshire office and contracted through a third party.

Important information for all applicants

The application deadline is 10th January 2025, with phone interviews starting shortly after. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an in-person Assessment Centre on 3rd, 4th, 5th, or 6th March 2025, providing an opportunity to meet current placement students, learn about the role, and socialize with employees.

Placements are expected to begin on 8th September 2025.

Please note - should you not be available on all the above dates, unfortunately, we won't be able to proceed with your application.

If interested, apply with your CV and a cover letter (combined in one document) stating your main areas of interest.

About the Company Immunocore (NASDAQ: IMCR) is a pioneering, commercial-stage T cell receptor biotechnology company whose purpose is to develop and commercialize a new generation of transformative medicines which address unmet patient needs in oncology, infectious diseases and autoimmune disease. Our leaders in R&D are internationally recognised as some of the biotech industry’s most successful drug developers. We are creating not just an environment where great minds can interact but an innovation powerhouse answering the big questions.

Focused on delivering first-in-class biological therapies to patients, we have developed a highly innovative soluble TCR platform. Our ImmTAX molecules underpin a new generation of precision engineered drugs that harness the immune system to treat a broad spectrum of diseases with high unmet medical need, including oncology, infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases.

At Immunocore, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset. We value the unique contributions each person brings to our team. By embracing Science, Trust, Respect, Integrity, Diversity, and Entrepreneurship (STRIDE), we create an environment where collaboration thrives, ideas flourish, and transformative changes happen. STRIDE represents more than just letters; it embodies our shared identity and drives our mission. We are dedicated to developing breakthrough therapies that transform patients’ lives, advancing medicine, and supporting one another in these pursuits.

Immunocore is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As such, we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.