Sr. Scientist, Immunology - BostonGene

Position Overview

We are looking for a Senior or Principal Scientist to lead our Immunology and Immunoprofiling team. This team develops, validates, implements, and continuously improves cutting-edge analytical platforms to evaluate a patient’s immune status, including multi-parameter flow cytometry, and blood-based next generation DNA and RNA sequencing. This candidate will manage the immunology test portfolio, including all cell-based cytometry and NGS assays ensuring the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and innovation. This position will require a deep understanding of existing and emerging immunoprofiling technologies. This candidate will need to possess exceptional operational management skills, self-motivation to drive continuous improvement in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, and serve as a critical immunology product development driver. The candidate will supervise all blood-based assays used for clinical trial support, academic collaborations, and fee-for-service projects.

Key Responsibilities:

Flow Cytometry Assay Development & Quality Control

• Assist in the development, optimization, and standardization of flow cytometry assays for the analysis of immune cell populations from patient blood and PBMCs.
• Uphold stringent quality control and quality assurance protocols to ensure consistency and reproducibility in flow cytometry data.
• Evaluate and monitor performance metrics to maintain the highest quality of data, ensuring reliable and actionable insights for immunological studies.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to flow cytometry instrumentation and protocols to minimize operational downtime and enhance lab efficiency.

Technology and Innovation in Immunology, Immuno-Oncology, and Flow Cytometry

• Stay current with advancements in immunology, immuno-oncology, flow cytometry, and cell-focused technologies.
• Collaborate with R&D leadership to assess, implement, and validate new methodologies to maintain a leading edge in immunological research and clinical trial support.
• Drive continuous improvement and analytical validation of flow cytometry platforms and methods to ensure top-tier performance in clinical and research settings.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with internal teams, including clinical operations, bioinformatics, and other R&D platforms, to support the integration and deployment of flow cytometry assays in commercial and research projects.
• Work closely with external partners, vendors, and regulatory bodies as necessary to ensure alignment with industry standards and compliance requirements.
• Partner with project management and alliance teams to define project scope, assess feasibility, and ensure alignment with company goals.

Leadership and Strategy

• Execute strategic plans for NGS operations to support the company’s NGS product portfolio, support clinical trials, collaborations, and internal R&D assay development.
• Lead, mentor, and manage a high-performing team of scientists, laboratory technicians, and bioinformaticians.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence within the NGS teams in the BG laboratory.

Budget and Resource Management

• Oversee budgeting for immunology assay development and process improvements, ensuring efficient use of resources.
• Manage procurement, inventory, and maintenance of flow cytometry equipment and reagents to support lab operations and control costs.
• Implement cost-saving measures without compromising data integrity or assay quality.

Preferred Skills:

Flow Cytometry Expertise

• Extensive experience with multi-parameter flow cytometry, including panel design, cell sorting, data analysis, and interpretation of immune cell populations.

Immunology & Immuno-oncology Subject Matter Expertise

• Deep understanding of cellular phenotypes and immunological signatures, within clinical and translational research contexts.

Assay Development & Tech Transfer

• Proven experience designing, validating, and transferring flow cytometry and immunology assays from R&D to clinical operations teams.

Team Management & Effective Communication

• Demonstrated ability to lead interdisciplinary teams and communicate complex data effectively in person or in writing to cross-functional teams and external stakeholders.

Adaptability & Initiative:

• Proactive, self-driven, and highly organized, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Immunology, Immuno-oncology, or a related field, with 5-10 years of experience in assay development, validation, and/or clinical biomarker discovery.
• Strong background in flow cytometry, with a history of successful application to research or clinical settings.
• Familiarity of bioinformatics tools and data analysis approaches relevant to flow cytometry and next generation sequencing-based analysis.
• Experience in a regulated lab environment (e.g., CLIA, CAP, GCLP) with knowledge of regulatory compliance for clinical trials.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with a track record of mentoring and developing scientific talent.
• Knowledge of supply chain management and cost-effective resource allocation to execute complex projects on time and within budget.
• Experience with regulatory compliance.

About BOSTONGENE:

BostonGene is pioneering the development of AI-driven biomedical software for the analysis of multi-omic data from cancer patients on the individual and cohort level. To support this mission, we have a cutting-edge high-complexity molecular laboratory that generates large volumes of high quality data, and a state-of-the-art dry lab staffed by an unparalleled team of data scientists and bioinformaticians. This service is used by our biopharma partners to provide custom solutions for clinical trials; from biomarker discovery to companion diagnostic development. We provide immediate diagnostic solutions for clinicians, such as our Tumor PortraitTM test to tailor optimal treatment strategies to improve cancer patient outcomes.