Senior Scientist, LNP Discovery Biology

Your Role

The Senior Scientist, LNP Discovery Biology position is a hands-on bench role supporting the LNP Discovery platform within the Research Unit Neuroscience & Immunology (N&I). You will execute the in vitro and ex vivo work that drives candidate selection and develop assays the program depends on. The role sits at the interface of LNP delivery and immunology and collaborates across groups to progress a differentiated targeted delivery platform. This is a laboratory-based role where you will run your own experiments, interpret your own data, and present it to the project team, working closely with Principal Scientists across the department and the wider group.

• Execute in vitro and ex vivo studies in support of the targeted LNP delivery platform, including primary human T cell and PBMC assays for transfection efficiency, CAR expression, and functional activity.
• Develop, qualify, and troubleshoot new assays, and document them to a standard other scientists and CROs can follow.
• Design and run multicolor flow cytometry panels, and generate the core readouts in support of the targeted delivery platform.
• Support in vivo studies in humanized mouse models (PBMC- and huCD34+-engrafted NSG), including sample processing, bleed and tissue collection, and endpoint analysis; contribute to study design discussions.
• Analyze, interpret, and present your data in group and project team meetings, with clear figures and a defensible interpretation.
• Maintain rigorous records: electronic lab notebook, assay protocols, reagent and sample tracking, and the quality standards the program's data packages rest on.
• Partner with formulation and lipid chemistry colleagues on candidate characterization, and with CRO and partner contacts on sample logistics and data transfer.
• Train and support research associates and junior scientists on assays and techniques you own.

Who You Are

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology or other Life Science discipline with 8+ years of industry experience.
• Master's Degree in Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology or other Life Science discipline with 6+ years of industry experience.
• PhD in Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology or other Life Science discipline with 2+ years of industry experience.
• 1+ years of experience with primary human immune cell culture, multicolor flow cytometry, developing and troubleshooting cell-based assays, and supporting in vivo studies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with LNP or other nanoparticle delivery systems, including mRNA cargo and in vitro potency assessment.
• Experience with CAR biology or cell therapy, including CAR detection reagents and the readouts that distinguish real pharmacology from artifact.
• Experience with humanized mouse models (PBMC- or huCD34+-engrafted NSG), including engraftment monitoring.
• Prior work on B cell depletion, autoimmune indications, or CD19/CD20-directed therapies.
• Comfort in a fast-moving, cross-functional environment where the data and the slides are often due the same week.
• Hands-on experience with primary human immune cell culture — T cell isolation, activation, and expansion — and the functional assays that go with it.
• Strong practical command of multicolor flow cytometry: panel design, compensation, gating strategy, and the failure modes of each.
• Experience developing and troubleshooting cell-based assays independently, rather than only running established protocols.
• Experience supporting in vivo studies, including sample processing and endpoint analysis from mouse models.
• Careful, well-documented laboratory practice and comfort working to agreed protocols and quality standards.
• Clear communication of data and interpretation, including presenting at group and project team meetings.