Cell Therapy Analytics Specialist (Obsidian Therapeutics)

Tunnell Consulting is an employee-owned, life sciences management consulting firm. Known for solving complex problems in the life sciences, we support the mission and objectives of a variety organizations including biotech, pharma, the U.S. Government, foundations, public/private partnerships, investors, and emerging companies. The variety of clients and issues that we support give our team and our organization an ever-increasing breadth of experience to add to our deep industry and functional expertise. Headquartered in the Philadelphia area, we also have a presence in Washington DC, and Boston.

About the role

The Cell Therapy Analytics Specialist is a technical subject matter expert responsible for supporting analytical method qualification, validation, and lifecycle management for cell therapy products. This role provides hands-on expertise in developing, validating, and maintaining analytical methods required to support late-stage clinical development and Biologics License Application (BLA) submissions. Working closely with Analytical Development, Quality Control, Regulatory Affairs, Manufacturing, and external testing laboratories, the specialist contributes to analytical strategy execution, technical risk assessments, protocol development, and regulatory readiness activities. This position is a key technical contributor and operates under the guidance of senior analytical and quality leaders.

This is a contract position estimated at 3 months, 40 hours/week. All work to be completed onsite at our client’s location in the greater Boston, MA area. Local candidates strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a technical expert in cell therapy analytical methods supporting Phase III and BLA-enabling programs.
• Support the qualification, validation, and lifecycle management of analytical methods in accordance with regulatory expectations and industry standards.
• Review and interpret validation data to ensure methods are fit-for-purpose and suitable for commercial readiness.
• Contribute to analytical sections of regulatory submissions and responses to health authority questions.
• Support assay comparability and method performance assessments across development and commercial stages.
• Provide technical support for analytical methods commonly used in cell therapy programs, including:
  • Flow cytometry-based identity and characterization assays
  • Cell viability and cell count methods
  • Potency assays
  • Phenotypic characterization assays
  • Functional assays
  • Molecular and cell-based analytical methods
• Assist in troubleshooting assay performance issues and implementing continuous improvements.
• Support analytical investigations and data reviews as needed.
• Participate in analytical gap assessments to support program readiness, regulatory submissions, and QC implementation.
• Contribute technical expertise to risk assessments associated with analytical methods, validation programs, and assay transfers.
• Help identify analytical risks and support development of mitigation plans and recommendations.
• Author, review, and revise qualification, validation, transfer, and comparability protocols.
• Support preparation and review of validation reports, technical summaries, and supporting documentation.
• Ensure protocols and reports align with GMP requirements, company procedures, and regulatory expectations.
• Provide technical feedback during cross-functional document reviews.
• Partner with Analytical Development, Quality Control, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, and Regulatory Affairs teams to support program objectives.
• Collaborate with external laboratories and service providers to facilitate successful analytical activities.
• Present technical findings and recommendations to project teams and stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with 5+ years, Master's degree with 3+ years, or PhD with 1+ years of relevant industry experience in Cell Biology, Immunology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• Experience supporting analytical method qualification and validation for cell therapy products.
• Strong understanding of analytical requirements for late-stage clinical development and BLA submissions.
• Experience with one or more of the following:
  • Flow cytometry
  • Potency assays
  • Cell viability and characterization methods
  • Functional cell-based assays
  • Molecular analytical techniques
• Knowledge of GMP requirements and analytical method lifecycle management.
• Experience authoring or reviewing analytical protocols, validation reports, and technical documentation.
• Strong technical writing, data interpretation, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting commercial readiness or BLA-enabling activities for cell therapy products.
• Familiarity with assay transfer and analytical comparability activities.
• Experience participating in gap assessments and risk assessments.
• Knowledge of regulatory expectations for cell and gene therapy products.
• Experience working with contract testing laboratories, CDMOs, or external analytical partners.

Pay

For this contract role the hourly rate range is $75 - $110/hour based on experience.