Senior Scientist / Associate Director, T Cell Immunology
Basecamp Research
Summary
We are seeking a highly capable and proactive Senior T Cell Immunologist to join our Boston team, reporting into the Head of Innovation Science. This role will own the biology behind our in vivo cell therapy programs in oncology and autoimmunity, from primary human cell assays through IND-enabling studies. You will lead from the bench to set the immunology strategy, design the studies that test it, and run a substantial share of the work yourself while building a small team around you.
Job description
Key Responsibilities
- Own T cell immunology strategy across oncology and autoimmunity programs and turn program goals into concrete assay and study plans.
- Lead translation into in vivo models: mouse studies (humanized, syngeneic, and relevant disease models) and NHP studies for PK/PD, biodistribution, persistence, and immunogenicity, in partnership with CROs.
- Drive the pharmacology and safety components of IND-enabling work: GLP and non-GLP toxicology study design and CRO oversight, biodistribution and insertional mutagenesis assessment, and authorship of pharmacology and toxicology sections of regulatory filings.
- Represent data in pre-IND and agency interactions, partner meetings, and internal governance.
- Design, run, and interpret in vitro potency and specificity assays in primary human T cells and cell lines: activation, proliferation, antigen-specific cytotoxicity and co-culture killing, repeat stimulation and exhaustion, cytokine release, and phenotyping by multiparameter and spectral flow cytometry.
- Mentor scientists and grow the team as the programs scale.
Required Skills and Experience
- PhD in immunology, molecular biology, bioengineering, or a related life-sciences field, with substantial industry experience in cell or gene therapy (typically 6+ years post-PhD for Senior Scientist, 9+ for Associate Director), or an MSc with equivalent hands-on experience.
- Deep hands-on expertise in primary human T cell biology: isolation, activation, expansion, transfection and transduction, and functional characterization.
- Experience with gene editing in primary immune cells (nucleases, base or prime editors, transposons, recombinases/integrases, or equivalent), including how editing outcomes are measured.
- Expertise in multiparameter flow cytometry using antibody panels and fluorescent reporters, including panel design and analysis.
- Fluency with ddPCR, qPCR, NGS library preparation and QC, and interpretation of on/off-target analytics.
- Experience designing and overseeing in vivo mouse studies, including CRO management.
- Excellent communication skills with internal and external stakeholders.
Advantageous Skills and Experience
- Direct contribution to an IND or equivalent regulatory filing, with first-hand knowledge of the pharmacology and toxicology package.
- NHP study design and oversight, including sampling strategy and interpretation of immunogenicity and biodistribution data.
- Working knowledge of the regulatory landscape for genome-edited cell and gene therapies, including off-target assessment, insertional mutagenesis, and long-term follow-up expectations.
Requirements
- PhD in immunology, molecular biology, bioengineering, or a related life-sciences field
- Substantial industry experience in cell or gene therapy (typically 6+ years post-PhD for Senior Scientist, 9+ for Associate Director), or an MSc with equivalent hands-on experience
- Deep hands-on expertise in primary human T cell biology: isolation, activation, expansion, transfection and transduction, and functional characterization
- Experience with gene editing in primary immune cells (nucleases, base or prime editors, transposons, recombinases/integrases, or equivalent), including how editing outcomes are measured
- Expertise in multiparameter flow cytometry using antibody panels and fluorescent reporters, including panel design and analysis
- Fluency with ddPCR, qPCR, NGS library preparation and QC, and interpretation of on/off-target analytics
- Experience designing and overseeing in vivo mouse studies, including CRO management
- Excellent communication skills with internal and external stakeholders
Benefits
- Competitive Salary
- Equity
- Healthcare
- Fertility Benefits
- IVF Stipend
- 401(k)
- Life Insurance
- Coaching
- Promotion Opportunities
Company overview
Basecamp Research is an innovative AI biotechnology company founded in 2019 and headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The company specializes in discovering and designing novel proteins using artificial intelligence trained on its proprietary knowledge graph of nature, which represents the world's largest and most diverse biological dataset. By exploring beyond known biology, Basecamp Research develops biological solutions for pharmaceutical, food, and industrial applications. The company's unique approach involves understanding the complete genetic, evolutionary, and environmental context of each protein, enabling the design of tailored proteins for specific applications without requiring expensive and time-consuming directed evolution campaigns. With $85 million in total funding, including a recent $60 million Series B round, Basecamp Research has established strategic partnerships with leading institutions like MIT and Harvard's Broad Institute. The company operates globally with approximately 58 employees across three continents and has developed groundbreaking AI models for programmable gene insertion, positioning itself at the forefront of computational biology and genetic medicine innovation.