Biobanking Scientist I, T cell Therapy

Title: Biobanking Scientist I, T cell Therapy

Location: Upper East Side

Org Unit: MCC Laboratories

Work Days:

Weekly Hours: 35.00

Exemption Status: Exempt

Salary Range: $70,200.00 - $83,200.00

*As required under NYC Human Rights Law Int 1208-2018 - Salary range for this role when Hired for NYC Offices

Position Summary

The Biobanking Scientist is responsible for carrying out laboratory activities associated with biospecimen processing in support of novel T cell therapy translational research and development. This role will assist with biobanking workflows, and perform procedures in the lab associated with tissue and blood processing and biobanking methods including sample preparation, tissue culturing and processing, quality control and biospecimen storage and tracking as well as preparation of tumor material for downstream molecular, histology, and functional assays.

Job Responsibilities

• Coordinate the acquisition, processing, annotation, and long-term storage of human tumor specimens, blood, lymph nodes, and matched normal tissues for cell therapy and translational research studies.

• Perform sterile dissociation of fresh tumor tissues using mechanical and enzymatic methods to generate high-quality single-cell suspensions suitable for downstream immune profiling and cell manufacturing.

• Isolate, process, and cryopreserve tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), tumor cells, and other primary cell populations while maximizing cell viability and recovery.

• Establish and maintain comprehensive biobanking workflows, ensuring accurate sample tracking, chain-of-custody documentation, inventory management, and compliance with institutional, regulatory, and quality standards

• Develop, optimize, and maintain patient-derived in vitro tumor models, including short-term tumor cultures, organoids, tumor cell lines, spheroids, and autologous co-culture systems to support T-cell functional studies.

• Support personalized TCR discovery workflows by preparing high-quality biospecimens for single-cell sequencing, TCR repertoire analysis, transcriptomics, spatial profiling, proteomics, and genomic analyses.

• Perform cell sorting, enrichment, and phenotypic characterization of immune and tumor populations using flow cytometry and magnetic bead-based technologies.

• Execute quality control assays assessing tissue viability, cell recovery, sterility, and sample integrity prior to downstream experimental applications.

• Maintain detailed laboratory records, electronic biobank databases, and standard operating procedures (SOPs), while ensuring compliance with biosafety, ethical, and regulatory requirements governing human biospecimens.

• Analyze experimental results, prepare summaries, and present findings during laboratory and project team meetings.

• Train laboratory personnel in standardized tissue handling, biobanking procedures, aseptic techniques, and quality management practices.

• Operate with highest integrity and ethics, conduct all experiments following lab, department, and college policies and procedures.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in related field

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in a laboratory handling and processing of tumor specimens for single cell analyses, flow cytometry, functional experiments, immune assays.

• Prior experience with molecular and cell biology techniques is desired.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Highly collaborative, ability to multitask and work cross-functionally.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to pay close attention to detail.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Licenses and Certifications

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

Standard laboratory conditions; This position may require standing or sitting for long periods of time; This role may require working within Biologic Safety Level 1 and 2.

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “any person, any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA). We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.