Scientist

Job Title: Scientist

ID: 26-04778

Location: Cambridge, MA (Kendall Square) - 100% onsite

Duration: 12 Months

Summary:

• This is a contract position supporting the discovery and development of in vivo CAR-T cell therapies for autoimmune indications and other malignancies within the Immunology & Translational Biology Research organization.
• This individual will design and execute a broad range of in vivo and ex vivo experimental workflows, interpret results to determine next steps, maintain rigorous digital and physical records, and contribute scientific judgment to the continuous improvement of assays and protocols.
• The successful candidate will be a technically skilled, highly organized, and intellectually curious scientist who can operate independently on complex problems while collaborating effectively across cross-functional teams - balancing rigorous protocol adherence with sound scientific judgment and proactive cross-functional collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

• In Vivo & Ex Vivo Studies: Execute mouse studies supporting in vivo CAR-T programs, including organ harvest, tissue dissociation, and downstream processing of mouse organs, cell line maintenance, human PBMCs, and NHP samples.
• Flow Cytometry: Design, optimize, and execute multiparameter (10+ color) flow cytometry panels for immunophenotyping and functional readouts; perform data analysis using FlowJo and present findings to project teams and cross-functional stakeholders.
• LNP Transfection: Design and perform lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-mediated transfection experiments to support in vivo delivery platform development; evaluate potency of formulated tLNPs using cell-based assays and propose protocol refinements
• T & PBMC Cell Culture: Maintain and activate primary human T and PBMC cell cultures; design co-culture systems and functional assays to assess lymphocyte biology and targeted killing efficacy against specific targets.
• Functional Assays: Execute flow cytometry-based and Incucyte live-cell imaging functional assays to assess cell health, proliferation, cytotoxicity, and engagement.
• Digital Record-Keeping & Benchling: Maintain complete, contemporaneous, accurate, and audit-ready experimental records in Benchling, including ELNs, protocols, results, and reagent inventory.
• Protocol Adherence & Scientific Judgment: Follow established SOPs with strict attention to detail while proactively identifying discrepancies, deviations, or opportunities for optimization and escalating or resolving them appropriately.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Interface with partner teams (e.g., CMC) to coordinate experiments, share data, and provide technical support including hands-on training for flow cytometry or assay execution.
• Logistics & Planning: Manage scheduling of complex multi-step experiments, reagent ordering, biosample coordination, and equipment bookings to ensure uninterrupted research operations.
• Team Structure - how does this role fit with the team•Reports to: Senior Scientist, Immunology & Translational Biology
• Key Internal Interfaces: Translational Biology, Immunology, CMC
• Key External Interfaces: CRO/vendor coordination as needed

Role in Team:

• The EG-100 Scientist operates under limited supervision, designing and executing the next logical step. In a series of related experiments while demonstrating independence on complex, sometimes ambiguous problems. This individual is expected to:
• Deliver high-quality data with consistency and reproducibility, based on interpretation of prior results
• Develop new or alternative protocols and troubleshoot routine problems independently
• Make decisions that impact the entire work group/project team, choosing between multiple options to resolve complex problems
• Manage their own experimental schedule with logistical competence
• Flag discrepancies and propose solutions, rather than simply executing tasks
• Act as a technical point of contact and functional mentor within the work group
• Contribute meaningfully to cross-functional activities, presentations, and team documentation
• This is not a purely task-execution role-scientific curiosity, proactive communication, and a drive for continuous improvement are core expectations at this level, along with an increasing mentorship and technical-leadership footprint.

Must-have Qualifications

• B.S. with 5+ years, M.S. with 3+ years of academic/industry experience in Biology, Biochemistry, Immunology, or a closely related life science discipline
• Ability to work on-site under a contract engagement, 1-year duration (subject to extension/renewal per business need)
• Demonstrated expertise in multiparameter flow cytometry (panel design, execution, and analysis via FlowJo), with a track record of designing new experimental approaches
• Experience with functional assays (flow-based or live-cell imaging platforms such as Incucyte)
• Experience with ex vivo tissue processing from mouse organs, human PBMCs, and/or NHP samples
• Experience with LNP and electroporation-based transfection methods
• Experience with primary T and PBMC cell culture, activation, and viability assessment as well as cell line maintenance
• Proficiency in Benchling (ELN, protocols, inventory management)
• Demonstrated ability to maintain meticulous records and follow complex multi-step protocols
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot routine problems independently, and propose new or alternative protocols
• Proven organizational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent experiments and act as a technical point of contact within the work group

Nice-to-have Qualifications

• Experience in autoimmune and oncology disease models or CAR-T cell biology
• Familiarity with IND-enabling study workflows or GLP-adjacent environments
• Experience with cell sorting, MSD, ELISA, IHC staining, and/or widefield/confocal microscopy
• Exposure to cross-functional or multi-site collaboration (e.g., CRO liaison, partner team coordination)
• Proficiency in GraphPad Prism and/or JMP for data visualization and analysis
• Prior experience mentoring junior scientists or contributing to publications/patents

Technical Skills:

• Multiparameter Flow Cytometry (design, execution, FlowJo analysis)
• Ex Vivo Tissue Processing (mouse organs, human PBMCs, NHP samples)
• LNP Transfection (lipid nanoparticle-mediated delivery)
• T Cell & PBMC Cell Culture (primary human cells, activation, co-culture)
• Functional Assays (flow-based cytotoxicity, Incucyte live-cell imaging); Benchling ELN (protocol writing, data entry, inventory)
• In Vivo Mouse Study Support
• GraphPad Prism / JMP (data visualization)
• Scientific/Technical Writing (protocols, regulatory documents)

Non-Technical Skills

• Organizational Excellence: Demonstrates proactive scheduling, supply management, and logistical coordination to keep complex, multi-step in vivo / ex vivo programs running without interruption. Anticipates downstream needs (e.g., reagent lead times, instrument availability, biosample scheduling) and coordinates across multiple concurrent experiments.
• Attention to Detail: Documents all experimental steps completely in Benchling in real time and ensures data integrity from bench to analysis. Flags inconsistencies in reagent lots, instrument performance, or protocol deviations immediately.
• Scientific Judgment & Independent Thinking: Designs the next logical step in a series of experiments based on interpretation of prior results; develops new or alternative protocols rather than simply following established ones; resolves complex problems by choosing between multiple options.
• Technical Leadership & Mentorship: Acts as a functional mentor to junior team members; may act as a technical point of contact for the work group; makes presentations in small, multidisciplinary meetings to convey clear, key messages.
• Collaboration & Communication: Interfaces comfortably with partner functions, explains issues and builds alignment around complex situations, and adapts communication style for the audience.

Contact:

Sunny Rajput | sunny.r@sunrisesys.com | URL: www.sunrisesys.com