Research Fellowship (BSc) – Stem and Immune Cells Bioengineering

Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica (iBET), Oeiras, Portugal, has a open position for a research fellowship in the field of Biological Engineering available within the project “Process engineering as a tool to manufacture CAR-T cells in biOreactOrs through enhanced controL over cell phenoType With high pOtency – CARTool2“ Ref. Project 772, financed by iBETXplore

Education:

Bachelor in Biological Engineering, Biomedical/Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Biochemistry and related areas, with final grade equal or superior to 15/20.

Professional experience:

1) Immune or human stem cell culture techniques;

2) bioreactor operation;

3) analytics for characterization of cells (flow cytometry, ELISAs);

4) Data analysis using statistical tools.

Proficient use of the English language, both spoken and written (candidates with internships and/or periods abroad will be valued). Motivation for applied research and good teamwork skills will be valued.

Cell therapies using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have shown great promise in treating cancer and autoimmune diseases. However, the production of large numbers of high-quality cells able to survive in the harsh microenvironment of solid tumours is limited. To develop more efficient immunotherapies, it is essential to implement cell activation and expansion strategies that could be integrated in scalable and controllable cell manufacturing workflows. To better control the signals provided to CAR T cells to trigger their expansion, instructing their rate of proliferation/differentiation and potency attributes, we propose to develop a bioprocess to produce and fully characterize CAR-T cells generated in stirred tank bioreactors.

The fellowship will have a duration of 6 months, eventually renewed until the end of project, without prejudice of the maximum limits foreseen by law. The expected starting date is 1 of October of 2024.

Apply now with your detailed CV, motivation letter, and degree certificates to jobs@ibet.pt, referring to the job reference in the subject of the email “BIM_CARTool2_Aug2024”