Research Associate (Contractor), Cell Therapy

Obsidian Therapeutics•Cambridge, MA

8h•$35 - $43•Onsite

About The Position

Obsidian Therapeutics is seeking a highly motivated Research Associate (Contractor) to support its Cell Therapy Research Team. The role contributes to discovery and translational research by carrying out in vitro experiments, cellular assays, and data analysis to advance preclinical research objectives. The successful candidate will work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and develop expertise in mammalian cell culture and immune cell characterization. The position is lab-based and on-site in Cambridge, Massachusetts, until Q2 2027, when it will relocate to Bedford, Massachusetts. The Research Associate will support work related to Obsidian’s engineered tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte cell therapy program, amsoki-cel (OBX-115), which uses the company’s cytoDRiVE® platform.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Immunology, Biotechnology, Cell Biology, Biomedical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
At least 1 year of hands-on laboratory experience in an academic, biotechnology, or pharmaceutical research environment.
Skill in mammalian cell culture techniques.
Skill in performing plate-based assays, such as ELISA, viability, proliferation, cytokine detection, reporter assays, or similar assays.
Experience using Electronic Laboratory Notebooks (ELN) for data recording and experiment documentation.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
Scientific rigor in executing experiments and maintaining records.
Strong planning, coordination, and time-management skills.
Excellent oral, written, and visual communication skills, including the ability to listen and communicate effectively with colleagues and leadership.
Ability to build and maintain productive relationships across the organization.
Collaborative and accountable approach, including sharing feedback and ideas and supporting interdisciplinary teamwork.
Self-motivation and ability to meet objectives, timelines, and high standards while managing multiple responsibilities.
Flexibility and ability to adapt in a fast-paced, rapidly developing environment.
Curiosity, humility, and willingness to seek input and continue learning.
Tenacity and resilience, including the ability to manage challenges, deliver on commitments, and work with urgency.

Nice To Haves

Experience with ELISpot assays.
Experience with T-cell biology and functional immune assays.
Hands-on experience processing human tissue, whole blood, PBMCs, or other primary samples.
Experience with flow cytometry, including sample preparation, staining, acquisition, and analysis.
Familiarity with FlowJo software for flow cytometry data analysis.
Exposure to cell therapy, immuno-oncology, or translational research programs.
Preferred experience with primary cell isolation and tumor processing, T-cell activation and functional assays, Benchling, MSD analysis, Incucyte analysis, and GraphPad Prism.

Responsibilities

Perform routine and complex mammalian cell culture, including maintenance, expansion, cryopreservation, and characterization of cell lines and primary cells.
Execute plate-based assays to assess cellular phenotype, viability, proliferation, activation, and function.
Conduct laboratory experiments independently and accurately document procedures, observations, and results in an Electronic Laboratory Notebook (ELN) system.
Analyze experimental data and present findings clearly and in an organized manner to project teams.
Collaborate with scientists to support research activities, technology development, and assay optimization.
Maintain laboratory inventory, equipment, and reagent stocks while following laboratory safety procedures.
Contribute to experimental troubleshooting and continuous improvement of laboratory workflows.
Support the generation of high-quality data under aggressive project timelines.