Associate Scientist/Scientist I, Translational Biology

Your Impact at LILA

We are seeking a driven and scientifically rigorous Associate Scientist with deep flow cytometry and cross-species tissue handling expertise to join our translational biology team. In this role, flow cytometry and ex vivo tissue processing are your core disciplines: you will independently isolate and process cells from liver, spleen, and whole blood across mouse, rat, NHP, and human samples, and execute complex multi-parameter panels to interrogate LNP uptake, cellular delivery, immune activation, and phenotypic response across in vitro and ex vivo models. Working closely with team leadership, you will help develop and refine assay strategy, contribute to experimental design, and complement this with a broader immunoassay and cell biology toolkit to evaluate lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery and therapeutic function. Beyond hands-on execution, you will interpret and contextualize data to inform project direction and partner with leadership to advance key scientific questions. You will help shape LILA's high-throughput, data-rich discovery workflows at the intersection of biology, automation, and AI, while mentoring junior team members on flow and tissue-processing technique and best practices.

What You'll Be Building

• Serve as a flow cytometry subject-matter expert: independently execute high-dimensional, multi-parameter panels to assess cell viability, LNP uptake, transfection/expression, immune activation, and marker phenotyping across primary and immortalized cell types; partner with leadership on panel design and assay development strategy.
• Own the full flow workflow: fluorophore selection and spectral considerations, compensation/unmixing, instrument setup and QC, acquisition, and rigorous analysis and interpretation in FlowJo (or spectral/conventional platform software); collaborate with leadership to develop and optimize new panels.
• Serve as a tissue processing and cell isolation expert: independently isolate viable single-cell suspensions and immune populations from liver, spleen, and whole blood across mouse, rat, NHP, and human samples, including perfusion, mechanical/enzymatic dissociation, density-gradient separation (PBMC/leukocyte), and RBC lysis; work with leadership to establish and optimize new cross-species workflows.
• Prepare and process tissues from in vitro and in vivo studies for downstream analysis (flow, ELISA, multiplex, qPCR), including homogenization, protein/RNA extraction, and lysate preparation; ensure high viability and yield for cross-species flow readouts.
• Drive flow-based readouts for LNP and delivery system performance across species and tissues, translating complex cytometry data into actionable insights that shape project direction.
• Run in vitro assays evaluating LNP and delivery system performance across readouts including IncuCyte, uptake, expression, knockdown, cytotoxicity, and innate immune activation.
• Execute high-throughput and plate-based screening experiments, including plate-based (high-throughput) flow, liquid handling, and data collection; contribute to screening design in partnership with leadership and the automation team.
• Oversee sample collection, aliquoting, labeling, and storage; ensure biorepository integrity and robust sample tracking across species and study types.
• Assist with development of multiplex immunoassays (MSD, Luminex, ELLA) for cytokine profiling, protein quantification, and immunogenicity assessment; support panel qualification, troubleshooting, and SOP authoring in collaboration with leadership.
• Analyze, interpret, and present experimental data at team and cross-functional meetings; translate results into actionable next steps and contribute to experimental strategy.
• Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and electronic records with high data integrity; mentor junior scientists on flow cytometry technique, tissue processing/cell isolation, panel design, documentation, and troubleshooting.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with biology, automation, and data teams; contribute to inventory management, equipment maintenance, and lab operational improvements.

What You'll Need to Succeed

• B.S. with 5+ years or M.S. with 3+ years of hands-on laboratory experience in Biology, Biochemistry, Immunology, Biomedical Engineering, or a related life science field; industry experience preferred.
• Advanced, demonstrated expertise in multi-parameter flow cytometry is required, including high-dimensional panel design, fluorophore/spectral selection, compensation/unmixing, instrument QC and setup, acquisition, and sophisticated data analysis and interpretation.
• Hands-on experience with FlowJo, including compensation/unmixing, gating strategy design, and multi-parameter data analysis; experience with high-parameter conventional or spectral platforms strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated hands-on expertise in ex vivo tissue processing and cell isolation is required, including generating high-viability single-cell suspensions from liver, spleen, and whole blood, and experience across multiple species (mouse, rat, NHP, and/or human).
• Proven ability to independently execute, troubleshoot, and interpret experiments, and to contribute to assay development in partnership with senior scientists.
• Hands-on expertise with multiplex immunoassay platforms (MSD, Luminex, and/or ELLA), including panel development and qualification is a plus.
• Experience with primary cell culture and immortalized cell lines, and their downstream readouts including IncuCyte.
• Strong organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and a firm commitment to data integrity.
• Ability to independently manage and prioritize multiple concurrent experiments in a fast-paced environment.

Required Skills:

• Ex vivo isolation of viable cells/immune populations from liver, spleen, and whole blood, with demonstrated experience across mouse, rat, NHP, and/or human samples (perfusion, mechanical/enzymatic dissociation, density-gradient PBMC/leukocyte isolation, RBC lysis).
• Hands-on proficiency with FlowJo for compensation/unmixing, gating, and multi-parameter analysis.
• Experience with spectral flow cytometry and/or high-parameter panels (15+ colors).
• Experience with cell sorting (FACS), bead isolation, and downstream applications.
• Familiarity with automated/plate-based (high-throughput) flow acquisition.
• Proficiency with additional data analysis tools and electronic lab notebook keeping.

Bonus Points For

• Working knowledge of nucleic acid therapeutics or LNPs.
• Experience processing tissues for biodistribution or tissue-resident immune cell analysis across preclinical species.
• Hands-on experience with qPCR or ddPCR for gene expression or biodistribution readouts.
• Experience coordinating studies or samples with CROs.
• Track record of contributing to assay SOPs, protocols, or assay validation packages.
• Experience supporting ELISA development, optimization, and validation across formats (sandwich, competitive, bridging), including reagent selection, standard curve strategy, and assay qualification documentation.
• Experience with automation and liquid handlers