Postdoctoral Scholar, Cell Therapy

Johnson & Johnson • Cambridge, MA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This postdoctoral position will focus on developing optimized flow virometry techniques and workflows for therapeutic tLVVs with the goal of developing reproducible single-particle measurements and understanding whether these measurements predict tropism, functional potency, and safety in preclinical models. In this position, the Postdoctoral Scholar, Advanced Flow Virometry, will develop and apply flow virometry methods to characterize targeted lentiviral vector quality attributes for in vivo applications. The role focuses on generating reproducible single-particle measurements, comparing flow virometry with established analytical methods, linking particle phenotypes to transduction, potency, and safety outcomes, and building cross-functional scientific insight that supports analytical and process development in cell and gene therapy. The scholar will interpret complex data sets, collaborate extensively with complementary internal teams, and communicate findings in scientific and cross-functional forums.

Requirements

• PhD in Virology, gene therapy, flow cytometry/flow virometry, analytical development relevant to role, bioengineering, biotechnology, or related discipline with 0-1 years of experience is required.
• Expertise in virology, analytical characterization, bioengineering, cell biology, biotechnology, or a related scientific discipline relevant to viral vectors and single-particle analysis
• Position will require generation, use, and testing of lentivirus particles. Applicants should be comfortable working in BSL2+ laboratory conditions
• Demonstrated ability to design experiments, analyze complex data, and compare emerging analytical methods with established assays using scientifically rigorous approaches.
• Ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams and communicate scientific concepts and results clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience with statistical interpretation, correlation analyses, and data-driven problem solving in a research environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present findings in internal meetings, scientific forums, and conference settings.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with flow cytometry is highly preferred
• Experience with enveloped viruses, enveloped viral vectors, or related, relevant modality preferred
• Experience with single-particle characterization methods, lentiviral vector biology, or assay validation a plus.
• Model-building experience helpful
• Experience in gene therapy, viral vector analytics, virology, or biopharmaceutical analytical method development welcome but not required.

Responsibilities

• Design, optimize, and execute advanced flow virometry workflows to characterize targeted lentiviral vector particle heterogeneity, envelope integrity, aggregation, and contaminant extracellular vesicles at the single-particle level.
• Perform comparative analytical studies against established methods such as Western blot, DLS, SEC-MALS, ELISA, and density gradient approaches, and generate validation data sets that assess agreement, specificity, and reproducibility of flow virometry measurements.
• Correlate particle phenotypes with functional outcomes, develop statistical models linking analytical measurements to transduction and potency, and communicate results through group meetings, cross-functional forums, internal scientific showcases, and external scientific conferences as appropriate.
• Development, training, conferences, internal meetings, and symposia

Benefits

• Vacation –120 hours per calendar year
• Sick time - 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Colorado –48 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington –56 hours per calendar year
• Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays –13 days per calendar year
• Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year
• Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child
• Bereavement Leave – 240 hours for an immediate family member: 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year
• Caregiver Leave – 80 hours in a 52-week rolling period
• Volunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year
• Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours per calendar year

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree