Kyverna Therapeutics is seeking a highly experienced Scientific Advisor to support evaluation of emerging CAR T and immune cell engineering technologies. This consultant will serve as a subject matter expert, providing independent scientific assessment of internal platform development strategies, external platforms, technologies, and partnership opportunities.
The role is primarily focused on scientific due diligence, data interpretation, evaluation, and strategic advisory support. The advisor will work closely with internal scientific, clinical, CMC and business teams to evaluate the feasibility, differentiation, and translational potential of next-generation CAR T technology approaches for autoimmune diseases.
Title: Sr. Scientific Advisor CAR T (Consultant)
Location: Remote with West coast hours
Duration: 6-12+ months (10-20 hours per week)
Responsibilities
- Serve as a scientific expert in due diligence efforts for external platforms, technologies and partnership opportunities.
- Evaluate CAR T and gene delivery approaches, including vector systems, targeting strategies, and immune cell engineering methodologies.
- Assess the scientific validity, differentiation, and translational potential of emerging technologies in the context of autoimmune disease.
- Review and interpret preclinical datasets (in vitro and in vivo pharmacology) generated by external partners or collaborators.
- Evaluate pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, CAR expression, immune activation, and therapeutic activity.
- Assess durability, safety signals, and immune modulation associated with CAR T technology approaches.
- Identify key risks, gaps, and data limitations, and propose mitigation strategies.
- Advise on translational relevance of preclinical findings, including implications for clinical development, dose selection, and biomarker strategies.
- Provide guidance on autoimmune disease biology and appropriate preclinical models to assess therapeutic potential.
- Contribute to shaping Kyverna’s broader CAR T and immune engineering technology strategy through an external innovation lens.
- Partner with internal teams across Research, Translational Science, Clinical, CMC, and Business Development to align on technology evaluations.
- Support business development activities, including scientific input into partnership discussions and technical presentations.
- Interface with external collaborators, biotech partners, and CROs as needed to clarify data and approaches.
- Present due diligence findings and recommendations to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
Qualifications
- PhD in Immunology, Biotechnology, Genetic Medicines, or a related field.
- 10+ years of experience in immunology and inflammation (I&I) drug discovery, and cell/gene therapy.
- Deep expertise in CAR T, immune cell engineering, and/or gene delivery technologies including autologous, allogeneic and in-vivo approaches.
- Strong experience designing and executing CAR T pharmacology studies in immunology or autoimmune disease.
- Experience working with gene delivery technologies (e.g., AAV, lentivirus, lipid nanoparticles, or other delivery systems) strongly preferred.
- Familiarity with CAR biology, immune cell engineering, or cell therapy approaches.
- Experience working with autoimmune disease models or immune-mediated disease biology preferred.
- Ability to interpret complex datasets and translate findings into actionable program insights.
- Prior experience supporting scientific due diligence or external technology evaluation strongly preferred
- Demonstrated ability to assess early-stage technologies with incomplete data and provide clear, actionable recommendations.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills with ability to work effectively with cross functional internal and external teams.
