Job Description

About Us

Nkarta is a publicly traded (Nasdaq symbol NKTX), South San Francisco headquartered, clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing the development of allogeneic, off-the-shelf natural killer (NK) cell therapies for cancer patients. By combining its cell expansion and cryopreservation platform with proprietary cell engineering technologies and CRISPR-based genome engineering capabilities, Nkarta is building a pipeline of future cell therapies engineered for deep anti-tumor activity and intended for broad access in the outpatient treatment setting.

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 NKX101 NKX019 are in process. 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 manufacturing facility on-site at our primary corporate location in South San Francisco, California. In-house manufacturing of NKX019 commenced in 2021, and NKX101 in-house manufacturing is planned to begin 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\xe2\x80\x99s 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, MSD, 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

A reasonable estimate of the current salary range for this position is $115,000 - $175,000. 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 job location and the value of other elements of an employee\xe2\x80\x99s 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.

Working at Nkarta Inc.

The 160+ 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\xe2\x80\x99re working, here are real anonymous comments of why people think Nkarta is a great place to work.

• \xe2\x80\x9cPeople are always open to ideas. This company provides a safe place for its employees (covid testing, etc.)\xe2\x80\x9d
• \xe2\x80\x9cExceptionally talented, committed, *kind* & supportive team\xe2\x80\x9d
• \xe2\x80\x9cThe 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.\xe2\x80\x9d
• \xe2\x80\x9cNot 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.\xe2\x80\x9d
• \xe2\x80\x9cIt\'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.\xe2\x80\x9d
• \xe2\x80\x9cWe have a very diverse team with executives that are friendly and accessible.\xe2\x80\x9d
• \xe2\x80\x9cSmart 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.\xe2\x80\x9d

To learn more about our work at Nkarta and the career opportunities that will drive us forward to serve patients, please visit the company\xe2\x80\x99s website www.nkartatx.com

Nkarta