Year in industry – Pipeline Biology (Pre-clinical)

Oxford, England, United Kingdom

12/6/2024

Location of role Oxford, UK

Department Biology Pipeline

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

During preclinical development, HLA-restricted candidate drug ImmTAX molecules are evaluated for both potency and specificity in cell based assays. Specificity assays may involve the use of commercially available antigen-negative cell lines or primary normal cell lots. The limited number of commercially available normal cells with specific HLA types can be a factor that restricts the number and type of cell lines or normal cell lots that are available for testing.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) derived from healthy individuals, provide a unique in vitro model for specificity screening because they can be differentiated into almost any cell type. The development of iPSCs with specific HLA types has the potential to overcome the challenge of identifying and sourcing normal cells by creating iPSC cell models with specific, desired HLA alleles that can be stored indefinitely and differentiated into normal cell lots when needed.

We have successfully developed and implemented methods to edit the HLA allele and convert the HLA haplotype in cancer cell lines using a CRISPR/Cas9 knock-in (KI) protocol. The aim of this project is to apply these same methods to generate HLA-KI iPSC cells using IMCR’s wholly owned stocks of iPSC cell lines. If successful, these novel HLA-KI iPSCs could be differentiated into a multitude of normal cell types and could serve as an invaluable resource for ImmTAX specificity screening in the future.

Key Responsibilities

The student will have the opportunity to learn a range of techniques including:

• Cell culture of cancer cell lines and iPSCs.
• CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in cancer cell lines and iPSC (CRISPR/Cas9 technique includes learning of molecular biology, cellular transfection, and flow cytometry / cell sorting, etc).
• Cell based assays to assess T cell activation, for example, cytokine release ELISA assays or Incucyte microscopy to measure re-directed T cell killing.
  
  

This opportunity also allows the student to participate in team meetings, engage with other students and experienced scientists, and present research findings to other colleagues. The student will contribute to the development of a set of potentially invaluable reagents/resources; provide assistance; and support to the pipeline biology team and could generate data that could be included in a peer-reviewed publication.

Education & Qualifications

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

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.