Senior Scientist, Transplant Immunology & Gene Therapy

United Therapeutics Corporation•Silver Spring, MD

13d•$127,500 - $170,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Scientist will play an important technical role in advancing immunomodulatory and gene modification strategies for ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) and enhanced lung development. This individual will design, execute, and interpret studies focused on transplant immunology, inflammatory signaling, immune cell interactions, and gene delivery approaches within engineered or donor lungs. The role requires strong hands-on expertise in immunology and translational lung biology, with preference for experience in transplant immunology and gene therapy platforms.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in immunology, transplant biology, molecular biology, pulmonary biology, gene therapy, or related field
8+ years of related biotech/pharma industry experience with a Master’s Degree or 5+ years of related biotech/pharma industry experience with a PhD
Strong background in immunology, including immune cell biology, inflammatory signaling, or transplant immunology
Experience with viral vector systems (AAV, LVV, AdV) or non-viral gene delivery platforms
Experience with immunologic and molecular assay development, including flow cytometry and cytokine profiling
Strong experimental design and data analysis skills
Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced translational environment
Good written and oral communication skills
Ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary teams
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Ability to mentor and motivate team members
Highly self-motivated
Ability to organize and present complex data clearly

Nice To Haves

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in immunology, transplant biology, pulmonary biology, gene therapy, or related field
Experience with lung transplantation, EVLP, or thoracic organ preservation
Experience in transplant immunology or immune modulation strategies
Experience with gene therapy platforms in pulmonary or transplant applications
Industry experience in cell or gene therapy development
Experience working with human tissue and translational preclinical models
Familiarity with IND-enabling studies and regulatory interactions

Responsibilities

Design and execute studies focused on innate and adaptive immune responses in donor and engineered lungs during EVLP
Evaluate immunomodulatory strategies to improve lung preservation, reduce inflammation, and enhance post-transplant outcomes
Assists with gene delivery strategies (AAV, lentiviral, adenoviral, mRNA/LNP, or other platforms) for lung-directed therapies
Optimize transduction efficiency, durability of expression, and immunologic safety profiles
Characterize immune cell populations and inflammatory pathways using flow cytometry, multiplex cytokine assays, transcriptomic approaches, and histologic analysis
Support preclinical transplant studies, including experimental design, tissue analysis, and data interpretation
Develop and validate molecular and functional assays (qPCR, ddPCR, ELISA, flow cytometry, multiplex assays, etc.)
Collaborate cross-functionally with device, manufacturing, analytical, translational, and regulatory teams
Contribute to IND-enabling studies and regulatory documentation
Mentor junior scientists and research associates
Contribute to publications, patents, protocols, abstracts, and scientific presentations
Present data internally and externally
Assist with EVLP procedures and translational lung studies