About Us
Nkarta is a publicly traded (Nasdaq symbol NKTX), South San Francisco headquartered, early-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of allogeneic, off-the-shelf engineered natural killer, or NK, cell therapies to treat cancer.
Founded in 2015 at the birthplace of biotechnology, our development pipeline of engineered NK cell therapy candidates includes two co-lead clinical programs, NKX101 and NKX019. Clinical trials for 101 are in process; 019 will begin in H2 2021. Nkarta recently announced a collaboration with CRISPR Therapeutics, a world leader in gene-based medicines, for the development and commercialization of up to three new cell therapy candidates and access to clinically validated CRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering.
Complementing our broad research and development capabilities, Nkarta has also built an extensive cell therapy manufacturing operation. We have a 2,700-square foot clinical good manufacturing practice, or cGMP, facility on-site at our primary corporate location in South San Francisco, California. We plan to start in-house manufacturing of NKX019 in 2021 and NKX101 in 2022. We are also currently designing a separate, larger cGMP facility, to supply our anticipated pivotal clinical trial and commercial needs.
Overview
This role adds to the build out and further development of our growing analytical development team with the advancement of the production and analytics capability for Nkarta’s NK products
Responsibilities
- Select, design and implement novel cell-based analytical methods to test potency of transduced immune cell-based drug products.
- Design and execute experimental methods, techniques, and perform data analysis
- Evaluate and transfer in appropriate research assays and improve their performance
- Provide technical input to enhance current analytical methods
- Write protocols and development reports, and contribute to relevant regulatory filings (CMC section of INDs and BLAs)
- Tech transfer selected assays to in-house and CMO QC groups
- As needed, support specification setting, qualification and validation of assays
- Present scientific results in team meetings
- Participate in cross-functional collaborations to meet project timelines
- Communicate data to senior staff and team members
Qualifications
Required
- Must have extensive cell-based assay development experience, particularly flow cytometry, cytotoxicity, and immune cell potency measurements
- Highly organized, detail-oriented individual with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to multi-task within a highly collaborative, fast-paced environment
- Embodies the company culture of empowerment, diversity, and inclusion
Preferred
- Experience in high content imaging, droplet digital PCR, qPCR, and Luminex a plus
- Experience in Quality Control or regulated environments
- Experience with analytical comparability studies
- Familiarity with FDA, ICH and GMP guidelines, particularly gene therapy regulations and guidances
- Experience with viral-based potency assays
Education / Background
- A B.Sc., M.S., or PhD in Immunology, Cell Biology, or related field
- 3 years of industry Analytical Development and/or QC experience and/or Educational Research Laboratory is required.
- For B.Sc. 6 years, M.S. 3 years, or PhD 0-2 years of assay development experience in biotech is preferred
Working at Nkarta Inc.
The 140 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 in which we’re working, here are real anonymous comments of 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