Flow Cytometry Manager (Onsite Cambridge, MA)
We are seeking a Flow Cytometry Manager for a global pharmaceutical client. The focus will be serving as the primary scientific and operational lead for the flow cytometry core overseeing a suite of instruments spanning conventional, spectral, imaging, and cell sorting platforms. You are responsible for the daily operation, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting of all flow cytometry instrumentation, as well as providing expert-level technical guidance to internal users across research teams. This role will support research programs across cross-functional teams. The successful candidate will combine deep technical expertise in flow cytometry with strong organizational skills and a service-oriented mindset, balancing hands-on instrument ownership with proactive user support, rigorous record-keeping, and effective vendor management.
This is a 40-hour per-week, 12-month contract (extensions possible), 100% onsite role in Cambridge, MA. Work Schedule: Core business hours M - F.
This is a W2 role as a Stage 4 Solutions employee. Health benefits and a 401K are offered.
Responsibilities
- Instrument Operations & Maintenance: Perform daily startup and shutdown procedures for all instruments (BD Symphony, BD FACSLyric, Thermo Fisher Attune CytPix, Opteon, Guava, and Sony cell sorters) in accordance with manufacturer specifications and site SOPs; execute daily and weekly preventive maintenance routines, including CST checks, fluidics maintenance, and deep-cleaning protocols to ensure instrument performance and data quality.
- Instrument Troubleshooting & Vendor Liaison: Serve as the primary emergency contact and first responder for all flow cytometry instrument issues across the Kendall Square site; act as the primary liaison with manufacturer customer support teams (Sony, Agilent/NovoCyte, BD, Thermo Fisher, Guava easyCyte) for service requests, escalations, and repair coordination; apply advanced technical expertise to independently troubleshoot instrument, reagent, and assay-related issues as they arise.
- User Training & Onboarding: Serve as the principal trainer for all site flow cytometry users; develop and deliver onboarding training for new users across all platforms; provide guidance scaled to users ranging from novice to experienced scientists.
- Panel Design & Staining Support: Provide on-demand expert guidance on panel design (10+ color), antibody titration, fluorochrome selection, and staining protocols tailored to users' experimental needs; assist with compensation setup and spectral unmixing for medium- and large-scale multiparameter panels.
- Sample Workflow Support: Support ex vivo processing and acquisition of mouse, human PBMC, and NHP samples on core instrumentation
- Sample Acquisition Support: Run samples on behalf of users as needed and provide hands-on flow staining support to ensure experimental success across the site.
- Data Analysis Support: Perform or assist with data analysis on an occasional basis, including gating strategy review and FlowJo workflow guidance.
- Reagent Inventory & Digital Record-Keeping: Maintain a well-organized, adequately stocked inventory of all flow cytometry reagents, including antibodies, viability dyes, buffers, and calibration beads; manage Benchling inventory records, ensuring accurate and up-to-date entries for all staining reagents, lot numbers, and expiration dates; monitor freezer stocks and coordinate timely reagent reordering to prevent stockouts and ensure continuity of research operations.
- Cross-functional collaboration: Interface with partner teams (e.g. Immunology, Translational Biology, Analytical Development) to coordinate experiments, share data, and provide technical consultation
This Individual Is Expected To
- Own all aspects of instrument uptime, performance, and maintenance across six platforms with minimal day-to-day supervision
- Serve as the recognized site expert and primary escalation point for all flow cytometry-related questions and emergencies
- Proactively identify gaps in reagent inventory, instrument performance, or user capability and address them before they impact research
- Build and maintain productive relationships with internal users and external vendor contacts
- Contribute to continuous improvement of site workflows, training materials, and operational procedures
Requirements
- Must have 3+ years of experience with M.S. degree or 5+ years of experience with B.S degree.
- Demonstrated expertise in multiparameter panel design, antibody titration, compensation, and data analysis (FlowJo required)
- Experience operating cell sorters (e.g., Sony SH800S or equivalent) is a must.
- Experience with spectral flow cytometry platforms (e.g., NovoCyte Opteon or equivalent) is required.
- Familiarity with at least three of the following instruments: Sony SH800S Cell Sorter, NovoCyte Opteon Spectral Flow Cytometer, BD FACSymphony A3, Thermo Fisher Attune CytPix, BD FACSLyric
- Experience performing and documenting preventive maintenance, CST checks, and instrument QC procedures
- Proficiency in FlowJo and GraphPad Prism for data visualization and analysis is required.
- Familiarity with spectral unmixing workflows and instrument interface software (e.g., FACSDiva)
- Experience with GLP-adjacent or IND-enabling study environments
- Experience with ex vivo tissue processing (e.g. blood, spleen, lymph node etc.), whole blood, and human PBMCs
- Exposure to primary immune cell biology (T cells, PBMCs, NHP samples) to contextualize user support
- Experience coordinating with external vendors and service engineers
- Proficiency in Benchling for inventory management and ELN documentation
- B.S.degree is Required, M.S. or Ph.D. is Preferred
Stage 4 Solutions is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to providing employees with an inclusive environment that is free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on the job requirements and candidates qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion/belief, national origin, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
Compensation: $54/hr. - $56.28/hr.