SR Research Associate

Role Summary

Senior Research Associate based in Waltham, MA. The role supports preclinical research to evaluate mRNA vaccine candidates, focusing on innate and adaptive immune responses, efficacy, and mechanism of action. You will design experiments, analyze data, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to advance vaccine programs.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute preclinical research strategies to evaluate the efficacy and mechanism of action of mRNA candidates using primary cell cultures and animal studies.
• Identify innate and adaptive immune responses induced by vaccines using immunology approaches to predict potency and reactogenicity of vaccine candidates.
• Perform experiments, generate data, analyze data, and contribute to detailed analysis of innate, humoral, and cellular immune responses to candidate vaccines.
• Coordinate and assist in execution of in vivo studies, including handling, sampling, and sample processing from laboratory animals.
• Work independently utilizing various experimental techniques, with a willingness to implement new technologies and protocols.
• Understand project goals and identify your role in achieving them.
• Document all work in electronic lab notebooks and perform laboratory support activities such as maintaining equipment and ordering lab supplies.
• Collaborate with members of other functional groups within the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or master's in immunology, virology or related field with minimum 1 year of experience in laboratory.
• History of publication/presentation in a relevant field would be a plus.

Skills

• Experience with virological and immunological assays (e.g., isolation of immune cells from peripheral blood, mammalian cell culture, virus neutralization assays, flow cytometry, Luminex assays, and ELISA).
• Previous experience with primary cell culture and animal model development would be a plus.
• Proficient in Excel and Prism for data analysis.
• Experience in spectral flow cytometry and related software packages (e.g., FlowJo).
• Expertise with aseptic technique, preferably including cell culture.
• Experience handling pathogens requiring up to BL2 containment.
• Experience in serological assays (pathogen neutralization, ELISA).
• Experience with Luminex and other 96-well plate-based assays is preferred.
• Experience with automation platforms is a plus.
• Ability to work in a team, follow directions, and manage multiple tasks; ability to plan and execute experiments independently.

Education

• Bachelor's degree or master's in immunology, virology or related field.