Career Opportunities

At Kyowa Hakko Kirin California, Inc. (KKC), we believe our team is the reason for our success and we are interested in quality people with a winning attitude to join our team!Â Â www.kyowa-kirin-ca.com

Kyowa Hakko Kirin California, Inc. is a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Kyowa Hakko Kirin. Kyowa Hakko Kirin California was established in San Diego, California in 1988, and acts as KHK's primary drug discovery research facility in the US, facilitating the company's pharmaceutical development efforts in North America. Kyowa Hakko Kirin California utilizes proprietary antibody engineering technologies (including human/humanized antibody and Potelligent) in its research and development program of antibody based therapeutics for infectious and autoimmune diseases.

Our dedicated team is a focused and interactive group involved in pursuing innovative biomedical research and technologies targeted towards the development of novel therapeutics. To further expand our research efforts on infectious diseases and disorders of the immune system, KKC has been a major corporate sponsor of the La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology (LIAI), a not-for-profit research institute, since 1988.

Our dynamic, state-of-the-art facility is located in the UCSD Science Research Park in La Jolla, CA. We take pride in our competitive benefit and compensation programs offered to our full-time employees, placing a high value on wellness. Our packages include:

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
Life Insurance and AD&D
Disability Coverage: Short-Term & Long-Term Plans
401(k) Retirement Plan
Sick Leave & Vacation
Paid Holidays
Discretionary Year End Bonus
Monthly Employee Event and Other Company Sponsored Events
Onsite Yoga and Masseuse Services

How to Apply for an Open Position:

For immediate consideration, qualified candidates are invited to submit their resume or CV & cover letter, referencing the position of interest and desired salary range via email to: jobs@kyowa-kirin-ca.com or mail to:

Kyowa Hakko Kirin California, Inc.
Attn: Human Resources
9420 Athena Circle
La Jolla, CA 92037

No phone calls please. We thank you for your interest in Kyowa Hakko Kirin California, Inc.!

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, sex, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, pregnancy, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, veteran or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state or local laws, or perceived affiliation with persons belonging to these protected classes.

Current Opportunities

We are seeking highly motivated individuals, who work well independently and with others to contribute to the success of our organization in the following areas:

Research Associate
Research Scientist II

Job Title: Research Associate

Summary: Assist in the performance of clinical and non-clinical research by providing laboratory, Quality Control and document support. Position receives general instruction on new assignments; develops and implements immune assays; reviews SOPs, study protocols and study reports.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Perform experiments in the areas of Immunoassay (ELISA, ELC etc) compliant with GLP/GCP regulations and relevant guidelines.
Perform Quality Control in Pre-study Validation, Bio-analytical experiments
Review SOPs, study protocols and study reports
Prepare common buffers, reagents and chemical solutions, performing highly specialized laboratory procedures as appropriate
Analyze and summarize data from experiments
Reproduce and refine established experimental protocols
Receive clinical sample shipments
Assist in preparing technical reports
Keep records, make reports and accurately communicate findings
Performs general lab maintenance, including purchasing supplies and cleaning/organizing lab equipment and work spaces
Prepare and maintain laboratory notebooks, study files and/or computer files
Enhance professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, in-service meetings and workshops as required
Provide assistance to groups of individuals within departments or areas of emphasis
Collaboration with other laboratory personnel
Follow at all times, general rules for safe exposure and handling of chemical and biological hazards by ensuring proper safety precautions and procedures
Comply with established company policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety and environmental standards

Competency:
To perform the job successfully, and individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Demonstrated knowledge of basic principles and practices in the fields of biology, physiology and/or chemistry
Demonstrated knowledge of general methods of scientific research and relevant scientific theories
Demonstrated knowledge of general laboratory equipment & instrumentation usage
Demonstrated knowledge of laboratory techniques and procedures
Capable of delivering oral presentations to supervisor and team members
Detail oriented with the ability to maintain multiple priorities simultaneously
Work cooperatively and effectively with others
Initiative, working independently
Timeliness and the ability to meet defined deadlines
Communicate well (written/orally) in a positive and productive manner with all levels of the organization.

Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

Bachelor's degree plus 2-5 years or Masters of Science plus 1-2 years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience
A minimum of 2 years of hands on immunoassay laboratory experience

Language Skills:

Ability to read, write, and comprehend general instructions, correspondence, and memosÂ
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical/scientific journalsÂ
Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations other employees of the organization

Math Ability:
Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as preparation of reagents and dilutions, and molar conversions. Has understanding of how to determine concentrations of unknowns from standard curves, and mean and standard deviations.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusionsÂ
Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions and deal with multiple abstract and concrete variables

Computer Skills:

Technological proficiency for use of the personal computer, Microsoft Office Suite, and the Internet
Proficiency in software and peripherals for word processing, graph/chart preparation and database/spreadsheet management

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Â The position involves exposure to dust, possibly certain molds, and laboratory chemicals and potential chemical spills.
The position may involve exposure to certain biohazards such as bloodborne pathogens, and viruses.
The position may involve exposure to laboratory animals and injury (bites, scratches, allergies, etc) resulting in that exposure.
The position may involve exposure to temperature extremes and humidity (laboratory cold rooms, freezers, warm rooms)
Environmental health and safety requirements (wearing of protective gear and following essential safety procedures) apply.
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.Â Specific vision abilities required by this job include Close vision, Depth perception and Ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

Disclaimer: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee.

EOE - all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Job Title: Research Scientist II

Summary:
Manages more than one project, implements research activities including designing and conducting experiments, evaluating test data, and preparing associated documentation in the field of oncology to promote the drug discovery activities of a pharmaceutical company. Writes and reviews study reports and proposals for future projects.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Implement mouse models of cancer including patient derived xenograft models and orthotopic models to evaluate novel cancer therapeutics
Develop and apply the most advanced methodologies of in vitro models and assays including tumor primary cell cultures, co-cultures, spheroids, cancer stem cells and 3D conditions
Prepare the draft documents required for biospecimen procurement
Interact and functionally collaborate with research partners in Immunobiology Group as well as scientists across KHK Oncology Research unit
Discusses findings with supervisor or team members to evaluate validity of findings and plan the next experiments
Ability to be actively engaged in drug discovery activities for targets involved in tumor cell growth, metastasis, cancer stem cells, tumor immunology, and tissue microenvironment
Present individual research at group and project meetings and record experiments and data in laboratory notebooks and databases
Interact within Research Division and upper management to resolve matters pertaining to objectives, plans, or policies
Ensure all tasks and responsibilities are carried out according to scientific and ethical standards and to company's compliance guidelines
Strive to continuously update scientific knowledge and technical skills
Follow KKC's written policies, procedures, objectives, and quality assurance programs
Report all safety-related incidents and potentially unsafe working conditions
Handle all equipment, hazardous materials, and other reagents properly

Competency:
To perform the job successfully, and individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Demonstrates full use and application of extensive knowledge of scientific principles, theories and concepts
Ability to complete work using only general instruction for both standard work and newer projects
Routinely identifies obstacles to progress and makes plans that contribute to strategic advancement
Ability to manage multiple tasks and design experimental strategies through to completion in a timely manner and with consistent and reliable results
Develop details of the approach to assignment with consideration of schedule, cost, reliability, simplicity, and effectiveness
Manage more than one project of moderate complexity at a time
Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills
Must possess flexibility, creativity, analytical and problem solving abilities
Contributes to building a positive team spirit by asking for or offering help as needed and delivering on commitments.

Hands-on execution of studies including in vivo techniques, dosing (ip, iv, oral), bleeding, surgery, tumor measurements and post-mortem processing required
Growth, maintenance and expansion of mammalian tumor cell lines required

Education and/or Experience:

Ph.D. from an accredited university with a concentration in cancer biology, cancer cell biology, cancer pharmacology, or related field and
Two to five years of industry or postdoctoral experience related in the target discovery or non-clinical PoC studies in anti-cancer therapeutics early stage R&D

Language Skills:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical procedures and equipment manuals
Ability to write reports and scientific protocols
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from project team members
Ability to constructively discuss scientific topics with other scientists and clinicians at various types of meeting and conference occasions

Math Ability:

Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as preparation of reagents and dilutions, and molar conversions
Understanding of how to determine concentrations of unknowns from standard curves, and mean and standard deviations
Sufficient knowledge of relevant statistical techniques is required

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills:

Proficiency working with the Microsoft Office suite of programs (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc.) and with laboratory software including Prism, Softmax, FlowJo.
Ability to learn specialized data analysis software applications

Supervisory Responsibilities:
May manage at least one research associate

The position involves exposure to dust, possibly certain molds, and laboratory chemicals and potential chemical spills.
The position may involve exposure to certain biohazards such as bloodborne pathogens, and viruses.
The position may involve exposure to laboratory animals and injury (bites, scratches, allergies, etc) resulting in that exposure.
The position may involve exposure to temperature extremes and humidity (laboratory cold rooms, freezers, warm rooms)
Environmental health and safety requirements (wearing of protective gear and following essential safety procedures) apply.
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include Close vision, Depth perception and Ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

Disclaimer: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee.

EOE - all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

For more information about KKC, click on About Us.