Scientist I - Cellular Immunology

ZipRecruiter; London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A innovative biotech company based in King's Cross, London seeks a Scientist in Cellular Immunology focused on advancing T-cell biology and therapeutic design. The role offers the chance to impact the pipeline significantly in a collaborative startup environment. Candidates should possess a PhD and extensive experience in T-cell assays and flow cytometry. Benefits include a workplace pension, annual leave, and private health insurance.

Benefits

Workplace pension (with employer contribution)

26 days’ annual leave + bank holidays

Enhanced sick leave and parental leave policies

Private health insurance (including dental)

Career development support

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent experience in T-cell biology or cellular immunology with strong T-cell experience.
• Hands-on experience in functional and analytical assays with T cells.
• Strong background in multi-parameter flow cytometry.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimise cellular/immunological testing platforms.
• Design and run functional assays with T cells.
• Characterise T-cell responses using flow cytometry.

Skills

PhD in T-cell biology

Extensive hands-on experience in T-cell assays

Flow cytometry expertise

Transfection skills

Collaborative mindset

Education

PhD in T-cell biology, cellular immunology or related subject

Tools

Flow Cytometry

Cell Culture

Job description

Job Description

Scientist – Cellular Immunology (T-cell focus)

Location: King’s Cross, London (on-site, with some flexibility for remote work depending on project needs)

Visa/relocation: No sponsorship or relocation available, must already have right to work in the UK

Benefits include:

• Workplace pension (with employer contribution)
• 26 days’ annual leave + bank holidays
• Enhanced sick leave and parental leave policies
• Private health insurance (including dental)
• Career development support

About the Company

This is a discovery-stage biotech with a bold mission: to rethink how therapies for complex diseases are designed. Their approach is rooted in computational antigen design, combining advanced machine learning with deep experimental biology to unlock new therapies where traditional methods have fallen short.

They are a close-knit team of around 26 people, with funding secured until 2027 and a Series B in the pipeline. They’ve recently invested in a brand-new state-of-the-art lab in King’s Cross, placing them at the heart of London’s biotech hub. The culture is collaborative and fast-moving, where contributions are visible, voices are heard, and every individual sees their work directly shaping the pipeline.

Unlike many early-stage Biotech's chasing quick wins, their platform is designed to be broadly applicable across multiple diseases and therapeutic areas, giving them resilience and long-term scope. For someone joining now, it’s an opportunity to make an immediate impact, while building a career in a business with scientific credibility, sustainable funding, and lasting vision.

The Opportunity

A new role within the translational research team, focused on T-cell biology and cellular immunology. You’ll play a central role in advancing next- vaccine and therapeutic design, working closely with computational scientists. This is a visible, high-impact role in a lean start-up environment, offering significant influence on the pipeline and close collaboration across functions.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimise cellular/immunological testing platforms to inform antigen design
• Design and run functional assays with primary human/mouse T cells and cell lines
• Characterise T-cell responses (flow cytometry, ICS, CTL assays, cytokine profiling)
• Perform cell culture, PBMC isolation, and immune tissue processing
• Assess antigen delivery, expression, and processing (DNA/mRNA transfection, mRNA-LNP formulation support)
• Maintain accurate records, contribute to study reports, ensure compliance with data integrity and safety
• Collaborate across the translational team and provide support to junior staff

Requirements

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in T-cell biology, cellular immunology, or related subject with strong T-cell experience gained in academia or industry
• Extensive hands-on experience in functional and analytical assays with primary human and/or animal T cells
• Skilled in handling and culturing T cells (primary and cell lines)
• Experience in in vitro and ex vivo assays, including cytokine secretion, expansion, intracellular cytokine staining, and CTL assays
• Strong background in multi-parameter flow cytometry, including panel design, staining, and data analysis
• Competent in transfection (plasmid DNA and/or IVT mRNA)
• Industry experience but not essential
• Collaborative, proactive, adaptable mindset with a “can-do” approach