Senior Associate Scientist-Scientist - Cell Biology and Immunology
- Prellis Bio
- Berkeley, California
- Full Time
Senior Associate Scientist/Scientist - Cell Biology & Immunology
Company Overview:
Prellis Biologics is a dynamic startup revolutionizing the field of immunology. We are developing next-generation technologies to harness the full potential of the immune system, driving innovation in therapeutic development.
Position Overview:
We are seeking a passionate and skilled immunologist to help advance our pioneering in vitro immune system platform. In this role, you will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to engineer lymph node organoids, design and execute high-impact assays, and contribute to the development of immune processes and antibody engineering strategies.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design, execute, and analyze complex cell-based experiments aligned with research objectives.
- Isolate, culture, and maintain both primary and established immune cell lines using aseptic techniques.
- Perform multiparameter flow cytometry and cell sorting for immune profiling and functional assays.
- Utilize innovative approaches to stimulate and characterize immune cell responses.
- Contribute scientific insight to the design and development of in vitro immune processes and antibody generation strategies.
- Maintain a hands-on presence in the lab (60-80% of the time) in a fast-paced research environment.
- Develop, optimize, and run immune assays, including ELISA and other protein quantification methods.
- Perform basic protein assays such as Western blotting and protein quantification.
- Ensure all experimental work complies with established protocols, SOPs, and regulatory standards.
- Maintain accurate, detailed, and traceable experimental records.
- Analyze, interpret, and present findings at internal meetings and project reviews.
- Support troubleshooting, protocol refinement, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align project goals and share expertise.
Qualifications:
- M.S. or Ph.D. in Immunology, Cell Biology, Biotechnology, or a related discipline.
- 5+ years of laboratory experience in immunology or cell biology (industry experience preferred).
- Strong understanding of adaptive immunity, particularly B and T cell biology.
- Knowledge of cell-cell interactions and ligand-receptor signaling pathways.
- Proficiency in mammalian cell culture, immune cell isolation, and maintenance.
- Demonstrated expertise in flow cytometry, including panel design, staining, acquisition, and analysis.
- Experience in immune functional assays, ELISA, and protein analysis techniques.
- Familiarity with laboratory compliance standards, SOPs, and documentation best practices.
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently or collaboratively.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills for data reporting and documentation.
- Expertise in experimental design, data interpretation, and complex immunological data analysis.
- Proficiency in primary cell isolation, culture, and in vitro assay development.
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Knowledge of immune tolerance, vaccine development, or systems immunology.
- Experience in project management.
- Background in protein or sequence bioinformatics.
- Familiarity with molecular biology techniques.
- Experience implementing lab systems or high-throughput screening platforms.
- Skilled in data analysis tools such as FlowJo, and GraphPad Prism.
- Prior experience in drug discovery, vaccine and/or antibody development.
Key Attributes:
- Detail-oriented with a strong sense of responsibility for compliance and documentation.
- Proactive, collaborative, and adaptable in a dynamic research setting.
- Committed to scientific rigor and continuous professional development.