Principal Scientist, Center for Advanced Molecular and Immunological Therapies

The Center for Advanced Molecular and Immunological Therapies (CAMI) at the University of Arizona in Phoenix is seeking a Principal Scientist in any area of translational cancer immunology and with a passion for entrepreneurship and commercialization. The Principal Scientist will bring their own promising idea for a new cancer immunotherapy that needs additional proof-of-concept studies to justify clinical translation and/or commercialization. CAMI will provide the successful candidate space and resources for up to 3 years to advance their promising ideas. The successful candidate will lead a group of 1-3 research professionals and/or technicians to achieve mutually defined and purposeful milestones enroute to intellectual property, commercialization, and early-stage clinical trials. CAMI leadership will provide scientific guidance, opportunities for training in entrepreneurship, connections to potential investors and business partners, and assistance with mechanisms to obtain additional funding specifically for the purposes of commercialization. Upon successful completion of these milestones, research teams are expected to move out of CAMI to become early members of the new startup companies that are launched based on their scientific discoveries. The successful candidate will be called on to lead research technicians and work independently in a fast-paced research environment. The position requires a diverse skill set, flexibility to simultaneously perform research and commercialization activities, and the ability to engage in team science and project management. Ideal candidates can be scientists who recently completed their PhD or postdoctoral training or have more extensive experience in industry.

This is a non-teaching and non-tenure track position that emphasizes research, both academic and externally funded, and science team coordination.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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• Develop a research program in the advancement of immunological therapies.
• Play a crucial role in all aspects of research development, implementation, and data analysis.
• Initiate and coordinate strategic research partnerships with academia, federal laboratories, agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private sector companies.
• Design and execute rigorous experiments; analyze results critically.
• Assist in writing grants specifically for the purposes of commercialization.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• In-depth knowledge of laboratory equipment and research protocols.
• Self-motivated with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Should have outstanding organizational skills, ability to multi-task, and be able to work independently as well as within a team.
• Proactive, resourceful, detail oriented and willing to learn.
• Demonstrated success in team management, in particular lab-based scientists.
• Proven track record in project management.

• PhD degree in immunology or cancer biology.
• Record of scientific achievement in the field of immunology or cancer biology.
• Record in publishing own work and through collaborations.

1. Your Background: Tell us about your training path, your accomplishments, your experience in supervising others, your motivation for commercialization and translation, your ability to execute projects on time, and why you are uniquely suited to lead this project. (2 paragraphs).
2. Non-confidential description of your proposal: Please tell us about the science behind your idea, being cautious to not reveal details that could jeopardize future intellectual property rights. We may share this part of the application with potential investors for feedback. If selected for an interview, we will execute a CDA where you can discuss in more detail. (Up to 2 pages or 10-slide pitch deck).
3. Work plan: What key proof-of-concept experiments do you need to complete? How long do you anticipate these experiments taking, what is the rough budget required, and what size of team will you need? (3-5 bullet points). 4. Intellectual property considerations: In non-confidential terms, please describe new intellectual property you will generate to support commercialization of your work. What IP already exists that would need to be licensed by new startup companies that you launch? (2-5 bullet points).