Immunohistochemistry Technician I Jobs

Kite is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel cancer immunotherapy products designed to harness the impact of a patient’s own immune system to selectively target cancer cells. Our core technology involves the genetic engineering of T cells, or white blood cells, to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) for the treatment of advanced solid and hematological malignancies. We are on a rapid growth trajectory and have a highly energized and accomplished team.

We are seeking an experienced immunohistochemistry and special stains technician to join us as Immunohistochemistry Technician I in our Pathology Core, Research Strategic Operations (RSO). You will support our new molecular and anatomic pathology department serving the advancement of our CAR T pipeline and next generation immunotherapy. This position requires familiarity with basic histology, including grossing, embedding, cutting, staining and other tasks required to analyze tissues and cell lines. You will have experience with immunohistochemistry, CISH, FISH, and have familiarity with slide scanning, digital pathology and automated image analysis. This role will also support special transcriptomics and molecular pathology. In addition, the Immunohistochemistry Technician will operate and maintain all instruments in the pathology laboratory and follow good documentation practices and quality control procedures. This is a site-dependent role based in our Santa Monica Research Facility and may require occasional travel to conferences, scientific collaborators, and other Kite and Gilead sites, including Emeryville, CA, and Foster City, CA.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify, label, and process tissues.
• Support histology, as instructed by the Director of Pathology, to Translational Medicine and Clinical Development for the design, conduct and analysis of clinical trials
• Prepare, maintain and inventory chemicals, reagents, consumables and supplies.
• Prepare human and animal tissue sections for microscopic examination using various techniques, including grossing, fixation, processing, embedding, cutting, and staining tissue slides.
• Maintain records and documentation to Kite standards
• Support overall operation and administration of the Pathology Core
• Perform stains manually and by using an automated stainer
• Perform slide image scanning and analysis.
• Maintain and clean equipment, change solutions, monitor environment, and replenish supplies and solutions as needed.
• Perform tissue procurement and biospecimen processing, as assigned.
• Assist with digital pathology along with manual and automated image analysis
• Support team members and empower them to complete deliverables efficiently and effectively
• Use and maintain all databases for Pathology Core.
• Assist external collaboration projects and associated interactions (e.g. meetings, communications, etc.) with academic partners
• Prepare sections of cell lines, human and animal tissue in a variety of sizes and types, including fixation, processing, sectioning, and a variety of special stains.
• Maintain compliance with all applicable state and federal regulatory agencies.
• Prepare tissues and cell lines for staining
• Perform IHC, CISH, FISH, and other special stains along with basic histology stains, such as H E

Basic Qualifications:

• Associate and 8+ years of histology experience OR
• Master’s and 4+ years of histology experience OR
• High School Diploma/GED and 10+ years of histology experience
• Bachelor’s and 6+ years of histology experience OR

Preferred Qualifications:

• Skills in microtomy, grossing, processing, embedding, cutting and special staining techniques.

• Understanding of discovery research, translational sciences/medicine and pre-clinical development and overall commercial drug development process
• Exhibit high emotional intelligence, with demonstrated ability to successfully negotiate through challenging situations and difficult conversations
• Skill in sectioning all types of tissues
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, written and verbal communication skills along with ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Skill in embedding a variety of tissue types and sizes with correct orientation
• Prior experience in cellular therapy, synthetic biology, or oncology research
• Ability to effectively communicate progress toward milestones, opportunities, and risks to all stakeholders
• Exemplify our core values – integrity, accountability, teamwork, excellence and inclusion
• Experience supporting drug, diagnostic or medical device programs in a regulated environment
• Ability to run the tissue processors
• Possess a meaningful ability to develop trust, along with demonstrated ability to drive, lead and influence colleagues across the organization to achieve team, department and corporate goals
• HT or HTL ASCP certification
• Flexibility to work outside of normal shift hours, including weekends and holidays
• Comfortable and efficient in a exciting, passionate and growing environment
• B.S. or M.S. in a scientific field
• Skill in performing all ranges of special stains both manually and by automation
• Ability to be a team player, focusing on shared goals, being flexible and applying skills, respecting others, listening to others’ views and value others’ contribution, sharing information and good ideas across organizations and celebrating/recognizing accomplishments
• Extensive experience in histology

Does this sound like you? If so, apply today!