Senior Research Associate/Associate Scientist – Analytical Development, Sample Core Testing Team (Contractor)

Our Opportunity… 

We’re looking for a highly motivated Senior Research Associate or Associate Scientist Contractor with experience in primary human cell culture, flow cytometry, molecular analytics, and cell-based assays to work with our Analytical Development Core Testing team. You’ll focus on characterizing engineered TIL (tumor infiltrating lymphocytes) cell therapy products and supporting Obsidian’s analytical teams. You’ll support critical studies and experiments to advance Obsidian OBX-115 product understanding and work with various subject matter experts across different functional groups, affording a significant learning opportunity. As part of the Sample Testing Core (STC), you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to critical testing support for high priority samples and, and control charting, while also maintaining inventory, androutine reagents, and sample tracking systems.  

As part of our Technical Operations team , you'll be a vital part of a highly collaborative team working to achieve the Obsidian’s vision by translating innovative science into medical breakthroughs for patients, starting with our lead program OBX-115 a novel engineered tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy. 

This is an onsite role located in our Bedford office. 

You will… 

• Collaborate with team leaders to characterize cell-based products and raw materials (i.e., viral vector and irradiated feeder cells) using molecular and cell-based analytical methods. 
• Independently plan and execute weekly testing schedule to deliver “right first time” results and meet department timelines.  
• Ensure transparency regarding testing progress and troubleshooting required. Inform STC management of risks including potential delays, and recommend ways to mitigate impact. 
• Analyze data and evaluate all sample and system suitability criteria according to test methods. 
• Accurately report results in ELN using pre-established templates, and forward to submitters in timely manner 
• Communicate findings/present results at internal meetings. 
• Data verify assay runs for peer analysts 
• Provide feedback to AD team regarding any method performance concerns, and  method workflow improvements 
• Expand your technical and analytical skills to support product characterization, including but not limited to: TIL analysis using multi-parameter flow cytometry, monitoring product impurities using molecular biology and immunology tools like ddPCR and ELISA, and potency/functionality using a variety of cell-based assays. 
• Support lab functions including maintaining reagent supplies, restocking consumables, lab organization, equipment cleaning/servicing schedules, sample inventory management, etc. 
• Maintain a safe work environment in accordance with policies/procedures/regulations. 

You bring… 

Core Qualifications 

• MS or BS with 2+ years of relevant experience in a biotechnology or related setting. 
• Understanding of basic immunology and immunology-based experimental methods. 
• Hands on experience with primary and mammalian cell culture. 
• Hands on experience with molecular and immunoassay techniques including nucleic acid extraction, PCR (qPCR and/or ddPCR), ELISA/ELLA. 
• Scientific rigor in the execution, analysis, and troubleshooting of experiments. 
• Ability to monitor assay performance using appropriate controls and assay trending. 
• Strong organization, time management, and record-keeping skills, including an ability to manage multiple responsibilities in parallel.  
• A highly collaborative working style; you build trusting relationships, invite and share ideas and feedback, and productively challenge your own and others’ assumptions to generate new ideas and facilitate better outcomes.  
• Flexibility; a willingness and ability to adapt to changes in priorities in a fast-paced, rapidly developing environment to advance our mission.  
• Self-motivation and a proven ability to work with general direction, exercise good judgement, and seek the information and support you need to meet objectives and timelines.  

Bonus Qualifications 

• Experience in Analytical Development or Analytical Testing. 
• Experience in cell therapy, including culture of primary human immune cells.  
• Experience with record-keeping in Electronic Notebook (ELN) format.  
• Familiarity with data analysis tools like MS-Excel, GraphPad Prism, Flowjo.