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.