Senior / Principal Associate Scientist, Advanced Cell Engineering

The role

This role involves designing and executing in vitro immunological and cellular assays to optimize engineered primary cells. You will work within the mRNA Programming department to develop RNA LNP therapeutics for oncology and autoimmune diseases.

What you will do

• Design and execution of in vitro immunological and cellular assays to characterize and optimize engineered primary cells.
• Develop ex vivo sample processing protocols and execute multiparameter spectral flow cytometry.
• Handle primary cells including immune cell isolation, culture and transfection using mRNA encoded therapeutics.
• Design and execution of immune cell assays to assess efficacy and potential toxicity of drug candidates.
• Employ cell-based and molecular biology assays to evaluate quality of research material.
• Ensure data collection is captured in electronic laboratory notebooks and databases.
• Perform data collection, data analysis, and summarize results in study reports.
• Provide regular updates at internal cross-functional meetings.

Required qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Biological Sciences, Bioengineering or related discipline, with at least 2-3+ years of relevant experience in cell biology and/or immunology
• 3-5+ years of experience working with flow cytometry analysis, cell culture, in-vitro experimentation with mammalian cell lines in a biotechnology, pharma, CRO or academic setting.
• Theoretical and practical understanding of flow cytometry with experience in design and execution of >12 color panels.
• Strong laboratory experience and expertise working with a variety of sample types including whole blood, PBMC, cell lines and single-cell suspensions from tissue samples.
• Ability to independently write, edit, and follow standard operating procedures, make careful detailed observations, maintain clear and complete records of lab work.
• Ability to clearly communicate results and findings in cross-functional team meetings.
• Proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, Graphpad Prism, FlowJo and ELN/LIMS for data entry, analysis, and presentation.
• High level of integrity and adherence to strict compliance standards.

Nice to have

• Experience with mammalian cell manipulation using mRNA transfection and/or electroporation.
• Experience performing cell-based assays including in vitro/ex vivo cytotoxicity assays, proliferation and ELISA/MSD.
• Plasmid cloning, RNA handling, IVT, transfection and transduction of primary cells.
• Experience with gene/base editors

Benefits

• health
• dental
• life
• open PTO
• onsite lunch catering
• commuter support

About the company

Strand Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering programmable mRNA therapeutics. Headquartered in Boston, MA, the company is advancing a pipeline with an initial focus on oncology and autoimmune disease.