Cell Therapy Research Scientist / Senior Scientist

Location: Frederick, MD
Schedule: Full-Time
Contract: 6-Month Contract-to-Hire
Pay Rate: $45–$55/hour (commensurate with experience)
Travel: Occasional local travel to support CRO oversight and formulation activities may be required

Kelly Science & Clinical is seeking a Cell Therapy Research Scientist / Senior Scientist to join an innovative and collaborative discovery research team focused on the development of next-generation cell-based therapies for autoimmune diseases. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge preclinical research supporting both ex vivo and in vivo therapeutic development programs.
Responsibilities

• Conduct preclinical in vitro and in vivo evaluation of cell therapy candidates.
  

• Perform primary cell isolation from blood and maintain aseptic mammalian cell culture workflows.
  

• Execute functional cell-based assays and characterize therapeutic activity.
  

• Support development and optimization of electroporation-based workflows.
  

• Utilize flow cytometry and plate-based assays including ELISA, luminometric, and colorimetric methods.
  

• Establish and manage in vivo models, including handling and IVIS imaging.
  

• Maintain accurate, organized, and timely experimental documentation and records.
  

• Collaborate cross-functionally with research and development teams to support program objectives.
  

• Assist with additional operational and laboratory activities as needed.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in Biology, Chemistry, Immunology, or related scientific discipline.
  

• Minimum 3+ years of hands-on experience in cell therapy or related preclinical research workflows.
  

• Strong experience with:
  

  • Primary cell isolation and cell culture
    

  • Functional assessment assays
    

  • Flow cytometry
    

  • In vivo model establishment and execution
    

  • Electroporation techniques
    

  
  

• Experience with CAR-T or related cell therapy platforms is strongly preferred.
  

• Familiarity with mRNA therapeutics, IVT workflows, and related applications is preferred.
  

• Experience supporting preclinical therapeutic development programs is highly desirable.
  

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently in a fast-paced research environment.
  

• Collaborative and solution-oriented mindset with excellent communication skills.

Preferred Experience

• CAR-T or related engineered cell therapy development
  

• mRNA therapeutic development and characterization
  

• IVIS imaging systems
  

• Preclinical autoimmune disease research models

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