Scientist, Cell Biology
Rockville, MD | Contract
Nexagen Search is representing a biotechnology company that is hiring for an Scientist, Cell Biology to join their research team in Gaithersburg, MD. This role will be a core contributor to the discovery, characterization, and optimization of cell-based therapies and will be involved with one or more pipeline programs.
Key Responsibilities:
- Contribute to one or more pipeline programs by designing and executing experiments with minimal supervision.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure timely generation, interpretation, and dissemination of program-critical data.
- Plan, prioritize, and execute experimental work to meet project timelines.
- Perform hands-on cellular, molecular, and immunological assays to support discovery-stage and IND-enabling work.
- Maintain detailed records and clearly communicate findings through presentations, reports, and discussions.
Core Qualifications & Experience:
- Master’s degree with 4–6+ years of relevant research experience, or a PhD with 0–2 years of industry experience.
- Experience with one or more of the following: CAR-T or other engineered cell-based therapies, T-cell biology, cytokine biology, T-cell activation/signaling, solid tumor immunology
- Hands-on experience manipulating human T cells, including purification, activation, transduction/transfection, expansion, and cryopreservation.
- Expertise with flow cytometry, including multiparameter analysis and phenotyping for memory, exhaustion, and activation markers.
- Proficiency in in vitro immune cell assays such as cytotoxicity, proliferation, degranulation, and live-cell analysis (Incucyte).
- Experience with ELISA or Lumit cytokine assays, luciferase-based cytotoxicity assays, and pseudotyped lentivirus generation.
- Experience with molecular biology techniques including genomic DNA extraction, qPCR for vector copy number, cloning, CRISPR knockout, and transient transfection
- Ability to work with cell lines, including overexpression systems and cell cloning.
- Proficiency with GraphPad Prism, FlowJo, SnapGene, and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
- Strong communication skills and ability to prepare clear technical reports and presentations.
Compensation: $60-70/hour
Recruiter in Charge: Jeff Caskey
Managing Partner – jeff@nexagensearch.com