Research Associate (Contractor), Cell Therapy

Our Opportunity

We are looking for a highly motivated Research Associate (Contractor) with a strong background in mammalian cell culture, cellular assays, and immune cell characterization. As a part of our Cell Therapy Research Team, you'll support discovery and translational research efforts through the execution of in vitro experiments, cellular assays, and data analysis to advance preclinical research objectives.

This position offers an opportunity to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment while developing expertise in mammalian cell culture and immune cell characterization.

As a lab-based role; work is on-site starting in our Cambridge, MA location until Q2, 2027 when the role will relocate to Bedford, MA where our office and lab space is expanding to become our single MA location.

Core Responsibilities

• Perform routine and complex mammalian cell culture, including maintenance, expansion, cryopreservation, and characterization of cell lines and primary cells.
• Execute plate-based assays to assess cellular phenotype, viability, proliferation, activation, and function.
• Conduct laboratory experiments independently and accurately document procedures, observations, and results within an Electronic Laboratory Notebook (ELN) system.
• Analyze experimental data and present findings to project teams in a clear and organized manner.
• Collaborate with scientists to support research activities, technology development, and assay optimization.
• Maintain laboratory inventory, equipment, and reagent stocks while adhering to laboratory safety procedures.
• Contribute to experimental troubleshooting and continuous improvement of laboratory workflows.
• Support generation of high-quality data under aggressive project timelines.

Core Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Immunology, Biotechnology, Cell Biology, Biomedical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline, with 1+ years of hands-on laboratory experience in an academic, biotechnology, or pharmaceutical research environment.
• Skilled in mammalian cell culture techniques.
• Skilled in performing plate-based assays (ELISA, viability, proliferation, cytokine detection, reporter assays, or similar).
• Experience using Electronic Laboratory Notebooks (ELN) for data recording and experiment documentation.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Scientifically rigorous in executing experiments and record keeping.
• Excellent planning, coordination, and time management skills.
• Excellent oral, written, and visual communication skills.
• Ability to build and maintain productive relationships across the organization.
• Collaborative and accountable; shares feedback and ideas to facilitate better outcomes.
• Self-motivated, with a proven ability to meet objectives, timelines, and high standards managing multiple responsibilities in parallel.
• Flexible - adapts to change in a fast paced, rapidly developing environment.
• Curious and humble - seeks and welcomes input/expertise of others, continuous learner.
• Tenacious and resilient - is not easily overwhelmed by challenges, delivers on commitments, operates with urgency.

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience with ELISpot assays.
• Experience with T-cell biology and functional immune assays.
• Hands-on experience processing human tissue, whole blood, PBMCs, or other primary samples.
• Experience with flow cytometry, including sample preparation, staining, acquisition, and analysis.
• Familiarity with FlowJo software for flow cytometry data analysis.
• Exposure to cell therapy, immuno-oncology, or translational research programs is highly desirable.
• Preferred experience with primary cell isolation and tumor processing, T-cell activation and functional assays, Benchling platform, MSD analysis, Incucyte analysis, and GraphPad Prism.