Senior Scientist, Cell Therapy
About The Position
The Senior Scientist, Cell Therapy will be based in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and will drive product and process characterization to inform design decisions, advance candidates toward the clinic, and support development of cellular therapies. The role is part of a fast-moving, collaborative laboratory environment and requires translating complex data into clear scientific direction while partnering across disciplines. The scientist designs and executes hands-on characterization studies, leads analytical assessment of cellular products, and interprets results in the context of mechanism and drug development. The position includes independently planning, optimizing, and troubleshooting experiments; communicating findings to support program decisions; coordinating assay strategies, timelines, and deliverables with project managers and adjacent teams; and maintaining rigorous documentation and data integrity to support quality, compliance, and reproducibility.
Requirements
- PhD in a relevant subject area and 0–3 years of demonstrated experience in Cellular Therapy, Cell Biology, Cell Engineering, Bioinformatics, Immunology, and/or Immuno-Oncology; or an M.S. with 5+ years’ experience; or a B.S. with 10+ years’ experience.
- Extensive in vitro cell-characterization skills, including functional or potency assays, morphological or phenotypic assessment, and sequencing-based methods.
- Experience with multicolor flow cytometry, microscopy, biomarker and cytokine analysis, ELISA, dPCR, karyotyping, and -omics.
- Experience analyzing large process and characterization datasets using a range of statistical methods, including machine-learning algorithms.
- Well-developed understanding of molecular and cellular biology, particularly immune-cell physiology, immunological assays, and cell transfection or transduction.
- Proficiency in cell culture and aseptic techniques.
- Ability to design, execute, troubleshoot, and document experiments; review, analyze, and interpret results; and communicate deliverables in a timely manner.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with genome-editing technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9, base editing, and virus-based genetic delivery systems.
- In vitro experience isolating and culturing human T cells.
- Basic experience developing cellular therapies, including CAR-T therapies.
- Proficiency with statistical software such as JMP or R.
- Experience working cross-functionally to drive project advancement.
Responsibilities
- Design and execute product and process characterization studies for cellular therapies to define product attributes and support robust, scalable processes.
- Lead characterization of cellular products using analytical methods including multicolor flow cytometry, ELISA, dPCR, karyotyping, microscopy, biomarker and cytokine analyses, and -omics approaches.
- Assess, synthesize, and report findings clearly and promptly so insights can inform program plans.
- Independently plan, optimize, and troubleshoot experiments to meet milestones and reduce development risk.
- Partner with project managers and adjacent teams to align assay strategy, timelines, and deliverables with program needs.
- Interpret results within the broader mechanism and development context to determine next experiments and guide program direction.
- Maintain rigorous records and high data integrity to support quality, compliance, and reproducibility.
Benefits
- Eligibility for short-term incentive bonuses.
- Equity-based awards for salaried roles.
- Qualified retirement programs.
- Paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and leaves.
- Health coverage.
- Dental coverage.
- Vision coverage.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
