Clinical Flow Cytometry Scientist

Medasource; Spring House (PA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Medasource is seeking a contractor to join the Clinical Flow Cytometry group in Spring House, PA, to design and execute ex vivo and in vitro cell-based and flow cytometric assays. This 1-year contract may extend and convert based on performance.

The role requires end-to-end ownership of assay development, validation, troubleshooting, and data interpretation in a fast-paced biomarker development environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor/Master/PhD with hands-on flow cytometry experience required.
• High-dimensional panel design experience needed (multi-color, up to 30 colors).
• Experience handling primary human cells (PBMC/BMMC) and cryopreservation required.

Responsibilities

• Execute multi-parameter clinical flow cytometry biomarker assays end-to-end.
• Design and perform ex vivo and in vitro cell-based assays with functional readouts.
• Work with primary human cells and cryopreserved specimens for deep phenotypic analysis.
• Maintain SOPs and write validation reports.

Skills

High-Dimensional Panel Design

Primary Human Cell Expertise

Precious Clinical Sample Experience

Instrumentation & Software

Therapeutic Background

External CRO/Vendor Collaboration

FACS Cell Sorting

Education

B.S. with 3+ years of flow cytometry

M.S. with 2+ years of flow cytometry

Ph.D. with 1+ year of flow cytometry

Tools

BD/Waters cytometers

Cytek cytometers

FlowJo

OMIQ

Job description

Contract Length: 1 year, potential for extension and conversion

Location: Springhouse, PA 5x onsite

Hours: 40 hours

Start Date: ASAP

We are seeking a passionate and talented laboratory-based scientist to join the Clinical Flow Cytometry group within Biomarker Development & Operations at a leading biopharmaceutical company in Spring House, PA. In this contractor role, you will support Oncology clinical programs by designing and executing robust ex vivo and in vitro cell-based and flow cytometric assays. The primary objective is to deliver fit-for-purpose flow cytometry biomarker assays and high-quality clinical data in a highly collaborative, fast-paced clinical research environment.

The ideal candidate must possess an expert level of hands‑on flow cytometry skill, particularly in designing complex panels independently. Rather than acting as a standard 'robotic' operator of pre-set assays, you will take complete end-to-end ownership—driving assay development, validation, troubleshooting, and scientific interpretation of complex, precious primary clinical trial specimens.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Execute multi-parameter clinical flow cytometry biomarker assays end-to-end including assay development, optimization, fit-for-purpose validation, on-time assay deployment for clinical sample testing, and downstream analysis.
• Design, develop, and perform robust ex vivo and in vitro cell-based assays that incorporate functional readouts, including immune activation, cell proliferation, cytokine production, and cytotoxicity.
• Handle and isolate primary human cells from blood and cryopreserved specimens for deep phenotypic characterization and functional assessment.
• Record experimental data and results accurately and in a well-organized format, strictly adhering to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and internal documentation standards (including writing comprehensive validation reports).
• Analyze, interpret, and present scientific data in professional, 'publication-ready' formats for internal stakeholders and project teams.
• Demonstrate professional verbal and written communication effectively presenting complex scientific findings, data patterns, and cytometric concepts to matrix-led teams.
• Support clinical flow cytometry research projects externally, collaborating with and coordinating studies implemented at external service providers and CROs.
• Monitor data quality from outsourced assays, performing rigorous assay troubleshooting to correct errors, identify root causes of analytical failures, and prevent re-occurrence.
• Work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously, demonstrating strong organizational skill and self‑direction in the laboratory.
• Collaborate actively with multidisciplinary stakeholders from all relevant functions, and demonstrate the flexibility to contribute to scientific projects outside of your immediate core scope.

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Education Guidelines

Candidates should meet the following minimum guidelines (note that overall scientific capability and hands‑on skill can adjust these standard baselines):

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with 3+ years of post‑degree laboratory experience in flow cytometry.
• Master of Science (M.S.) with 2+ years of post‑degree laboratory experience in flow cytometry.
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) with 1+ years of post‑degree laboratory experience in flow cytometry.

Technical & Related Experience Requirements

• High‑Dimensional Panel Design (Required): Extensive, verified hands‑on experience independently designing, optimizing, and validating high-dimensional/multi‑color flow cytometry panels (double‑digit colors, ranging up to 30 colors). This is not a 'button‑pusher' role; you must understand panel building from scratch.
• Primary Human Cell Expertise (Required): Deep proficiency in handling and isolating primary human cells, specifically PBMC/BMMC isolation and cryopreservation from whole blood and tissues. Experience with tumor dissociation and tissue‑derived immune cell isolation is a strong plus.
• Precious Clinical Sample Experience (Highly Preferred): Proven experience analyzing primary human samples from clinical trials. Because these clinical samples are highly limited and irreproducible, candidates must have exceptionally strong manual pipetting and experimental execution skills ('strong hands') with a 'one‑shot' success mindset.
• Instrumentation & Software: Hands‑on mastery of high-dimensional cytometers (BD/Waters and Cytek are highly preferred) and analysis software (FlowJo and OMIQ are preferred). Candidates must show a strong aptitude for learning new and advanced analytical packages.
• Therapeutic Background: A solid background in Oncology and/or Immunology is highly desirable, showing the ability to integrate current literature and scientific concepts directly into the bench practice.
• Academic & Industry Openness: Pharmaceutical or biotech industry experience is preferred but not mandatory. We are highly open to candidates from premier academic settings (such as major clinical trial‑facing universities like UPenn) who possess rigorous human clinical‑flow backgrounds. Pure mouse/model‑organism flow backgrounds are less preferred due to the significantly lower rigor in documentation compared to human clinical trial assays.
• External CRO/Vendor Collaboration: Experience coordinating with or managing outsourced projects at specialty labs/CROs (including supporting assay transfers, performance monitoring, and analytical validation) is highly valuable.
• FACS Cell Sorting: Hands‑on experience with FACS cell sorting is not required but considered a valuable additional skill asset.

Personal & Soft Skills

• Scientific Adaptability: High flexibility and a strong interest in learning and developing new laboratory techniques and biological skills as the research program's pipeline and strategic priorities evolve.
• Independent and Collaborative Mindset: Demonstrated ability to work independently as the sole primary bench scientist on the immediate flow cytometry team, while seamlessly collaborating with a larger matrix team of scientists in the broader Spring House research community.
• Professional Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document data clearly, write technical validation reports and present concepts convincingly to matrix team members.