Senior Scientist, Bioassay

About the role

SystImmune is a leading and well-funded clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company located in Bothell, WA and Princeton, NJ. It specializes in developing innovative cancer treatments using its established drug development platforms, focusing on bi-specific, multi-specific antibodies, and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). SystImmune has multiple assets in various stages of clinical trials for solid tumor and hematologic indications, alongside a robust preclinical pipeline of potential cancer therapeutics in the discovery and IND-enabling stages. This is a hands-on laboratory role within the Immuno-Oncology Bioassay Team. The Senior Scientist will design, develop, execute, and automate high-throughput bioanalytical and functional assays to support the discovery and preclinical characterization of immuno-oncology antibody therapeutics, including bispecifics, multi-specific antibodies, and ADCs. The position requires daily bench work in a BSL-2 environment and close collaboration with cross-functional teams across discovery, translational science, and IND-enabling studies. Attendance and participation in national and international conferences encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Design, establish, and execute mechanism-driven in vitro preclinical bioassays (including ex vivo and human translational systems) to identify, characterize, and advance novel immuno-oncology antibody therapeutic
• Perform routine assay runs, troubleshoot and resolve assay performance issues, and maintain assay documentation and SOPs.
• Oversee sample management, method quality control, and inter-site harmonization through systems like LIMS.
• Prepare written reports, assay summaries, and oral presentations for internal review, cross-functional meetings, and support regulatory submissions.
• Mentor junior team members and contribute to assay platform standardization, automation across the expanded Bioassay Team.
• Support IND-enabling studies, GLP transitions, and regulatory audits as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• PhD in immunology, cancer biology or related field with 2-5+ years of relevant academic and/or pharmaceutical or biotech experience.
• Hands-on experience in the discovery and development of protein therapeutics, with a focus on functional bioassays and mammalian cell culture.
• Background in human immune cell biology, immune checkpoint signaling, or T-cell/B-cell receptor signaling research.
• Direct experience developing and running bioassays for bispecific antibodies, multi-specific formats, or ADCs is strongly preferred.

Skills

• Proficiency in high-dimensional data analysis and visualization (e.g., flow cytometry, multiplex assays) using tools such as R or Python.
• Experience in assay automation is a plus.
• Excellent time management, organizational skills, and written/oral communication abilities.
• Possess the right attitude (agile, curious, positive, open-minded, “can-do” mindset), and have the ability and strong desire to “make things happen”.

Benefits

• 100% paid employee premiums for medical/dental/vision
• STD, LTD
• 401(k) plan with a 50% company match of up to 3%
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