Senior Development Scientist in Glasgow

About Us

Swarm Oncology Ltd. is an early‑stage UK‑based biotechnology company developing novel autologous antigen‑specific T cell adoptive therapies for solid organ cancers with unmet clinical need. The Swarm R&D group is based in Glasgow, UK. The Swarm‑T product is a cancer antigen‑specific expanded autologous T cell product manufactured from patients who have received personalised cancer vaccinations. The manufacturing process has been developed based on the expertise of the founding team in antigen‑specific T cell therapy. Swarm has a partnership with a CDMO and plans to make clinical entry for First in Human clinical trial.

Swarm is focused on the highest quality R&D to drive development of Swarm‑T products suitable for use with various cancer vaccine formats including personalised peptide mixes and nucleic acid‑based vaccines. Swarm has also developed technology to maximise potential efficacy in a range of cancers.

Role Overview

We are looking to recruit a senior scientist to join the high performing Swarm R&D group to contribute to overall research targets and work with the GMP Lead on manufacturing process optimisation. Reporting to the Director of R&D, the position is based in Glasgow and will be located across the two Swarm laboratories in Glasgow University (Sir Graeme Davis Building) and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (Clinical Innovation Zone) and the candidate will be expected to work from either location full time. The suitable candidate will have the opportunity to contribute significantly to the strategic goals of the R&D program, including supervisory tasks and independent development of research streams. This represents an opportunity to join a trail blazing company in the field of cancer therapies and evolve experience/role.

Key Responsibilities

The candidate will integrate into the current R&D team to provide cross‑over support through a combination of wet lab work, manufacturing process optimisation (process development) and preparation for planned clinical trials. The role will involve specific areas described below but the candidate will also contribute to the overall R&D deliverables and strategy.

This role encompasses three broad research themes:

• Integration with current manufacturing approach for Swarm‑T products and supporting continuous process improvement.
  • Coordinate with GMP and Development Leads to build familiarity with Swarm‑T cell expansion process through laboratory‑based research including blood sample preparation, magnetic bead isolation of target cells, culture protocols at both research and manufacturing scale, with analysis and cryopreservation of final products.
  • Utilisation of a suite of analytic techniques and QC assays to characterise start material and final products including multiparameter flow cytometry panels, antigen recall, potency assays and ELLA.
  • Development of improved manufacturing and analytic processes to optimise final product and liaise with R&D team to develop new manufacturing approaches with partnering groups.
• Contribute to Manufacturing‑scale development to improve current approaches.
  • Management of patient material and familiarisation with relevant equipment, reagents and protocols.
  • Liaising with GMP Lead to cover planned manufacturing scale processing and analytics.
• Development of improved T cell products through modulation of chemokine receptors for trafficking.
  • Coordinate with Development and Molecular Leads to generate data on chemokine‑mediated migration in Swarm‑T products.
  • Develop transfection protocols to enhance specific receptor expression and quantitatively assess enhanced migration to relevant tumour‑specific chemokines.
  • Investigate appropriate models for migration and infiltration of ChKR+ T cells in tumours.

Essential

Qualifications, Experience, Skills and Personal Attributes

• Honours‑level degree and PhD in a relevant Biological/Medical subject.
• Experience working in a GxP / GMP‑compliant corporate environment and biotech experience in an R&D function for clinical stage companies.
• Strong expertise in laboratory protocols including cell culture, magnetic bead cell isolation and multi‑parameter flow cytometry.
• Experience in developing complex human immune cell‑based culture systems.
• Good technical skills including human blood handling, magnetic bead isolation and cell culture.
• Demonstrable experience with multiparameter flow cytometry and analysis of complex data sets.
• Strong data analytical capabilities, ability to work in a fast‑paced and dynamic environment in a start‑up environment.
• Experience with translational science set up and running to support clinical study.
• Strong interpretation and presentation skills.
• Open to travel.

Desirable

• Experience of developing manufacturing strategies and QC testing of cellular therapy products (e.g. introducing new programmes, adaptation of established programmes).
• Experience in the use of cell processing and manufacturing devices.
• Experience of data preparation for regulatory submissions and in developing relevant responses to regulatory advice.
• Demonstrable experience of managing a research team.
• Working in a cross‑functional environment with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience in chemokine or chemokine receptor biology research.