Scientist III, Immunology & Flow Cytometry
Full-time
Rockville, MD
Posted 2 weeks ago
Position Overview
IBT Bioservices is seeking an experienced, independent, and highly technical Scientist III to join our expanding immunology team. The ideal candidate will serve as a key subject matter expert in advanced flow cytometry and assay development within a fast-paced, high-volume Contract Research Organization (CRO) environment.
In this role, you will be responsible for end-to-end execution of complex immunological studies, from tissue processing to high-parameter data analysis. You must be adept at troubleshooting, panel design, and the rigorous validation of assays in compliance with project requirements.
Key Responsibilities
- Flow Cytometry Expertise:
- Serve as the lead operator for the BD FACSymphony A2 (or equivalent).
- Perform routine machine maintenance, calibration, quality control, and troubleshooting to ensure optimal performance.
- Design and validate complex 17+ color panels tailored to specific research objectives.
- Independently perform mouse tissue harvests, including spleen and lung processing.
- Execute flow cytometry experiments for diverse sample types, including human, non-human primate (NHP), and murine models.
- Assay Development & Sample Testing:
- Participate in development, optimization, and qualification of robust viral or immunology-based assays, ensuring full adherence to internal quality standards, GXP-guidelines, and aggressive client timelines.
- Proactively troubleshoot assay performance issues to guarantee high data integrity and consistency in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrate exceptional pipetting precision and consistency, with the proven ability to handle high-throughput demands—specifically the capacity to execute 50+ 96-well plates per week while maintaining tight Coefficient of Variation (CV) targets.
- Apply a deep understanding of XLFit (or similar), standard curve analysis and assay linearity to validate performance and ensure reliable quantitative results.
- Technical Support & Documentation:
- Maintain detailed batch records and prepare technical reports summarizing findings.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align on study protocols and data interpretation.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Education: PhD in Immunology, Cell Biology, Microbiology, or a related scientific discipline.
- Experience: Minimum of 4–6 years of professional experience in a high-volume environment, CRO preferred.
- Authorization to work in US and Maryland residency
- Technical Skills:
- Hands-on experience with high-parameter flow cytometry (specifically BD Symphony or similar platforms).
- Demonstrated capability in advanced panel design and multi-color compensation.
- Strong background in assay development and qualification methodologies.
- 3+ years of experience on BD Symphony A2 or similar (13+ color).
- Preferred Skills: * Basic operational knowledge or experience with qPCR and ELISPOT techniques is a plus.
- Soft Skills:
- Highly independent professional, with proven proficiency in maintaining meticulous, audit-ready documentation in a fast-paced, high-volume setting.
- Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with rigorous attention to detail.
- Strong communication skills, capable of relaying (written and oral) technical data to internal and external stakeholders.