Senior Scientist / Associate Director, T Cell Immunology

Basecamp Research • Boston, MA

22d • $140,000 - $220,000

About The Position

Basecamp Research is seeking a highly capable and proactive Senior T Cell Immunologist to join its Boston team, reporting to the Head of Innovation Science. The role owns the biology behind in vivo cell therapy programs in oncology and autoimmunity, from primary human cell assays through IND-enabling studies.

The successful candidate will lead immunology strategy and study design while conducting a substantial share of the bench work and building a small team. They will work with gene editing, protein engineering, and AI teams to characterize novel editing enzymes in primary human T cells and define the potency and specificity criteria used to select candidates.

Requirements

• PhD in immunology, molecular biology, bioengineering, or a related life-sciences field, with substantial industry experience in cell or gene therapy—typically 6+ years post-PhD for Senior Scientist or 9+ years for Associate Director—or an MSc with equivalent hands-on experience.
• Deep hands-on expertise in primary human T cell biology, including isolation, activation, expansion, transfection and transduction, and functional characterization.
• Experience with gene editing in primary immune cells, such as nucleases, base or prime editors, transposons, recombinases/integrases, or equivalent, including measurement of editing outcomes.
• Expertise in multiparameter flow cytometry using antibody panels and fluorescent reporters, including panel design and analysis.
• Fluency with ddPCR, qPCR, NGS library preparation and QC, and interpretation of on- and off-target analytics.
• Experience designing and overseeing in vivo mouse studies, including CRO management.
• Excellent communication skills with internal and external stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

• Direct contribution to an IND or equivalent regulatory filing, with first-hand knowledge of the pharmacology and toxicology package.
• NHP study design and oversight, including sampling strategy and interpretation of immunogenicity and biodistribution data.
• Working knowledge of the regulatory landscape for genome-edited cell and gene therapies, including off-target assessment, insertional mutagenesis, and long-term follow-up expectations.

Responsibilities

• Own T cell immunology strategy across oncology and autoimmunity programs and translate program goals into assay and study plans.
• Lead translation into in vivo models, including humanized, syngeneic, and relevant disease-model mouse studies and NHP studies for PK/PD, biodistribution, persistence, and immunogenicity, in partnership with CROs.
• Drive pharmacology and safety components of IND-enabling work, including GLP and non-GLP toxicology study design and CRO oversight, biodistribution and insertional mutagenesis assessment, and authorship of pharmacology and toxicology sections of regulatory filings.
• Represent data in pre-IND and agency interactions, partner meetings, and internal governance.
• Design, run, and interpret in vitro potency and specificity assays in primary human T cells and cell lines, including activation, proliferation, antigen-specific cytotoxicity and co-culture killing, repeat stimulation and exhaustion, cytokine release, and phenotyping by multiparameter and spectral flow cytometry.
• Mentor scientists and grow the team as programs scale.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and equity.
• Healthcare coverage, described as strong enough that most employees' family members opt into the company plan over their own.
• Carrot Fertility with IVF stipend.
• 401(k).
• Life insurance.
• Coaching available to team members.
• Twice-yearly promotion opportunities.
• Flexible, cross-functional environment with personal development and real ownership.

What This Job Offers

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