Senior Scientist Bioscience - Cell Therapy

Job Summary

We seek a curious, collaborative Senior Scientist to advance cell therapies for autoimmune and other immunology indications. This hands-on research role requires efficient and competent experimental execution, strong cross-functional communication, and proactive project planning to advance programs in a highly matrixed environment.

Key Responsibilities

• In vitro discovery: Lead cell therapy target validation and characterize activity of engineered cell therapies using human primary cells and functional co-culture assays; develop and optimize assays; preferred flexibility to additionally contribute to in vivo study design and execution in partnership with in vivo pharmacology.
• Data and analytics: Apply a rigorous, data-driven approach to experimental design, mechanism-of-action studies, and decision-making; use appropriate analytics and visualization; document work to high standards.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Translate scientific plans and results into clear objectives, risks, and decision points for clear communication across groups and to leadership.
• Project planning and delivery: Collaborate to maintain project plans and timelines; focus on experimental efficiency and track progress to milestones.
• Team and communication: Present results and recommendations to teams and leadership; foster a productive and collaborative lab environment.
• Executing complex immunological experiments for cell therapy programs (heavily focused on CAR T cell therapy).
• Running and analyzing assays (cytotoxicity, flow cytometry, T cell proliferation, phenotyping, cytokine quantification, possibly RT-qPCR).
• Planning and performing experiments with minimal hands-on guidance but with some overall project direction.
• Supporting current projects and priorities helping the team meet current study needs.
• Preparing and analyzing data, documenting results, maintaining lab notebooks.
• Potentially conducting data entry/analysis or experimental documentation during periods of lab shutdown (with some work-from-home possible during Cambridge site relocation).

Required Skills

• In vitro expertise: Primary human cell culture and functional cell-based assays; multi-color flow cytometry; multiplex cytokine detection; assay development.
• Cell therapy experience: Work with engineered cell products (e.g., T cell subsets, CAR-based modalities); familiarity with CAR or antibody target discovery; experience with CAR T transduction and/or gene editing.
• Data proficiency: Strong experimental design, analysis, and interpretation; proficiency with tools such as FlowJo and Prism.
• Communication: Proven ability to communicate complex scientific concepts clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Leadership and collaboration: Strong drive for discovery, scientific curiosity, collaborative mindset.
• Must have strong hands-on experience executing complex immunological experiments, especially with minimal supervision.
• Must bring a solid background in cell therapy, ideally CAR T cell therapy.
• CAR T cell therapy experience (non-negotiable).
• Flow cytometry (preference for spectral flow experience).
• Cytotoxicity assays.
• Able to plan and execute experiments independently with high quality and consistency.

Preferred Skills

• T cell proliferation, phenotyping, cytokine quantification by MSD or intracellular staining.
• Familiarity with RT-qPCR.
• Advanced analytics: Experience integrating complex datasets to guide decisions.
• Autimmune disease experience: Familiarity with in vitro and in vivo model systems for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, etc.
• In vivo expertise a plus: Hands-on planning, oversight, and execution of murine in vivo studies using autoimmune disease models; animal handling; standard dosing and engraftment; analysis of pharmacodynamic, immunophenotyping, and efficacy endpoints.

Education Requirements

• PhD in immunology, cell biology, or related field with 0–5 years of experience; or
• Bachelor's or Master's with 10 years hands-on experience for senior scientist level, or 5–10 years for scientist level.

Required Experience

• PhD in immunology/biology or related field (senior scientist level, 0–5 years post-PhD/postdoc); OR
• Bachelor's or Master's with 10 years hands-on experience for senior scientist level, or 5–10 years for scientist level.

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Flexibility in experience level — role may be junior or senior depending on FTE hire; candidate can be considered at Scientist or Senior Scientist level based on overall team fit.

Work Environment / Physical Requirements

• Role is fully onsite; currently located in Waltham, MA, moving to Cambridge, MA later in the year (end of September).
• Some work-from-home may be possible during the Cambridge site relocation period (for data entry/analysis or experimental documentation during lab shutdown periods).

Benefits

• Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance Plans
• 401k Retirement Fund

Important Notes

• This role is coverage for a medical leave, with possible extension or conversion depending on business need and candidate performance.

About the Client

• Industry: Biopharmaceutical / Life Sciences
• Typical Roles: External Communications Associate Director, QA Specialist - Cell Therapy, R&D Communications Director, Quality Assurance

Work Type

• Mixed

Special Considerations

• Contract-based positions (6-8 months) with possible extensions;
• Strategic geographic locations (Gaithersburg MD, Santa Monica/Tarzana CA);
• R&D-focused roles emphasize scientific credibility and external stakeholder communication;
• Cell therapy emerging as specialized focus area;
• Preference for candidates with biopharmaceutical-specific experience;
• Senior-level roles require comfort with executive-level engagement and global travel.

About GTT

• GTT is a minority-owned staffing firm and a subsidiary of Chenega Corporation, a Native American-owned company in Alaska.
• We highly value diverse and inclusive workplaces and support Fortune 500 organizations across banking, financial services, technology, life sciences, biotech, utilities, and retail sectors throughout the U.S. and Canada.