Research Associate/Sr. Research Associate - Analytical Development

About Us

Nkarta is a publicly traded (Nasdaq symbol NKTX), biotechnology company headquartered in South San Francisco focused on the discovery, development and manufacturing of off-the-shelf, natural killer (NK) cell therapies. Our near-term goal is to bring cell therapy out into the community setting, dramatically expanding access for patients. 

Founded in 2015 at the birthplace of biotechnology, Nkarta is a fast-growing, fast-moving, clinical-stage company that has built an extensive cell therapy manufacturing operation in anticipation of product commercialization. Our developmental pipeline of engineered NK cell therapies includes clinical programs in B-cell malignancies and autoimmune diseases.

Complementing our broad research and development capabilities, Nkarta has also built an extensive cell therapy manufacturing operation.  We recently built out a 23,000-square foot clinical good manufacturing practice, or cGMP, facility on-site at our primary corporate location in South San Francisco, California.

Nkarta is a people-driven company looking for passionate, collaborative, driven team members galvanized by a paradigm-shifting opportunity to change the cell therapy landscape.  

We are seeking a highly motivated and highly collaborative Research Associate/Senior Research Associate to join the Analytical Development (AD) team in implementing cell-based assays to characterize Nkarta's pipeline of cellular immunotherapy products.

Responsibilities

• Performs assays to characterize starting material, in-process material, and drug product samples to support Process Development and Manufacturing activities.
• Maintains stock of critical reagents/consumables and performs bridging studies between lots of critical reagents.
• Maintains cell cultures of critical cell lines and generates/characterizes new cell banks.
• Performs routine maintenance of lab equipment.
• Creates, compiles and reviews databases containing data generated from various assays.

Qualifications

Required

• Strong general laboratory skills (e.g., steady pipetting of reagents using multi-channel pipettor, excellent aseptic technique, excellent organization of shared lab space)
• Experience in executing multicolor flow cytometry experiments as well as analyzing flow cytometry data using FlowJo or other similar platforms is required.
• Experience in cell culture, both primary and cell line, is required.
• Has excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, multitask, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Highly motivated, organized, and disciplined record keeping; strong attention to detail.
• Embodies the Nkarta culture of empowerment, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred

• Experience working in or with Quality Control or regulated environments.
• Experience in gene/cell therapy, cell-based assays, immunoassays, ELISAs, droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) and/or qPCR assays in regulated environments is a plus.
• NK cell, T cell, or stem cell expertise preferred.

Education/Background

• Bachelors degree in Immunology, Cell Biology, or related field is required; Masters is preferred.
• At least two years relevant experience in biopharmaceutical or biotechnology industry is a plus.
• 1+ years industry Analytical Development experience is preferred.

Working at Nkarta Inc.

The common requirements of an office environment (computers, computer screens, workstations, etc.) apply when not working in or around the laboratory environment. Car and airplane travel might be required of this role for conferences and meetings. This role is local to the office in South San Francisco; however, the team works a hybrid schedule with work from home days.

A reasonable estimate of the current salary range for this position is $89,000 - $130,000.  There are several factors taken into consideration in determining base salary, including but not limited to: job-related qualifications, skills, education and experience, as well as the value of other elements of an employee's total compensation package.  Nkarta also offers an annual discretionary bonus, equity grant(s), medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.  Other benefits include 401K plan, flexible spending account, ESPP, employee assistance program, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid parental, pregnancy, and bereavement leave.

The 150+ team members describe working at Nkarta through some of the following comments. While getting better work-life balance and improving communications between groups in an early stage start up environment are two areas on which we are working, here are real, anonymous comments about or regarding why people think Nkarta is a great place to work.

• “People are always open to ideas. This company provides a safe place for its employees (covid testing, etc.)”
• “Exceptionally talented, committed, *kind* & supportive team.”
• “The CEO is transparent and honest with expectations for the whole company. There is genuine care amongst the leadership team for their peers and employees. I believe this is unique.”
• “Not to sound corny, but the emphasis on people as a valuable resource is something I recognize doesn't often exist elsewhere, and it's here in ample supply, which is great.”
• “It's the first place that I've worked where the executive team truly values the employees. It's a pretty amazing thing not to hear that employees can be replaced with someone new. Institutional knowledge is understood.”
• “We have a very diverse team with executives that are friendly and accessible.”
• “Smart and dedicated colleagues. Mission to make a difference in patients' lives. Empower us with tools needed to succeed. Open and transparent culture. Transparent leadership. Handling of covid and running the company was done very well.”

To learn more about our work at Nkarta and the career opportunities that will drive us forward to serve patients, please visit the company's website at https://www.nkartatx.com.