Immunology and Mechanistic Biology Scientist

6J6 - Zoetis LLC; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Zoetis Inc. seeks an Immunology and Mechanistic Biology Scientist in Kalamazoo, MI. Lead hands-on immunology studies, develop multiplex immunoassays, and translate findings into decision-ready data for portfolio progression. Extensive experience across ELISA, ELISpot, MSD/U-Plex, Luminex, and flow cytometry is preferred.

You will design and execute studies spanning in vitro models and cross-species contexts, plan experiments, and work with cross-functional teams to advance development programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Immunology, Cell Biology, Biotechnology or related field.
• 8+ years in academic/pharma/biotech research with target identification/validation.
• Proficiency in modern in vitro immunology and cell biology techniques across multiple platforms.

Responsibilities

• Design and run in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies to define immune mechanisms.
• Characterize immune responses across model systems and species.
• Develop and transfer immunoassays (ELISA, ELISpot, MSD/U-Plex, Luminex, flow cytometry).
• Develop and adapt cell-based assays using immune and non-immune cells.
• Plan experiments, analyze data, and recommend follow-on studies.
• Deliver data packages supporting portfolio milestones and project decisions.
• Ensure protocols and data are compliant with biosafety and GLP-like standards.

Skills

Cell culture

Immunoassays

Flow cytometry

In vitro immunology

Multiplex assays

Education

Immunology / related field

Job description

The Zoetis Global Therapeutics 4 Livestock Health group, within Veterinary Medicine Research and Development, discovers prophylactic, therapeutic, and biopharmaceutical solutions for veterinary applications. Our work supports livestock health, productivity, sustainability, and food security, as well as companion-animal anti-infective programs. This is a business-critical role: the Senior Scientist will generate and interpret mechanistic immunology data that enables target identification, substrate validation, portfolio decisions, and progression of programs from ideation toward development. The team works across therapeutic areas, disease biology, and species, translating biology into agile, decision-ready deliverables. We are seeking a motivated Immunology and Mechanistic Biology Scientist who can move confidently between scientific hypothesis and practical execution. The successful candidate will bring hands-on experience in cell culture, modern cell biology, immunoassay development, and in vitro screening, and plan/prioritize their work autonomously. We value diverse experience gained across academic, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, veterinary, or biomedical research settings, including work with multiple species, model systems, sample types, and assay platforms.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, execute, troubleshoot, and document in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies that define immune mechanisms, support target identification and validation, and inform substrate or modality decisions.
• Characterize immunological responses across model systems and species using fit-for-purpose technical approaches, integrating data from multiple assay formats into clear conclusions.
• Develop, optimize, qualify, and transfer immunoassays across ELISA, ELISpot, MSD/U-Plex, Luminex, flow cytometry, and other relevant platforms.
• Develop and adapt cell-based assays using primary and immortalized immune and non-immune cells, applying imaging, luminescence/fluorescence, receptor-binding, effector-function, and related readouts.
• Plan experiments independently using literature, prior data, and input from project leads; analyze results, identify risks and next steps, and recommend practical follow-on studies.
• Own and deliver business-critical experimental data packages that meet portfolio milestones, demonstrate agility working across multiple project teams, therapeutic questions and experimental approaches, while adjusting priorities as project needs change.
• Translate experimental results into decision-ready data interpretations, technical updates, reports, and presentations for project teams and stakeholders.
• Develop and standardize protocols; maintain accurate documentation; and ensure compliance with biosafety, GLP-aligned quality, and regulatory expectations so that data are reproducible and audit-ready.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Immunology, Cell Biology, Biotechnology, or a related field; an advanced degree is a plus.
• 8+ years of relevant experience in academic, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, veterinary, or biomedical research, with evidence of delivering target identification/validation, immunoscreening, assay development, or immunotherapeutic discovery programs.
• Proficiency in modern in vitro immunology and cell biology techniques, with the ability to apply methods thoughtfully across different biological questions and project contexts.
• Strong practical expertise across in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo immunology using multiple platforms, including ELISA, ELISpot, MSD, Luminex, and flow cytometry; experience with multiple species or sample types is preferred.
• Hands-on experience with cell culture and cell-based assays using primary and immortalized, immune and non-immune cells, along with a track record of assay optimization and non-GLP qualification work.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across cross-functional teams, with sound scientific judgment, attention to detail, and a delivery-focused mindset.

OTHER SKILLS DESIRED

• Broad knowledge of cellular and molecular immunology, including innate and adaptive immune mechanisms, humoral and cellular immunity, and inflammation biology.
• Experience developing MSD platform-based assays, adapting traditional MSD immunoassays to U-Plex and Luminex multiplex assays, including panel design, QC, data analysis, and validation across species and sample types.
• Hands-on experience with cellular assay development and readouts such as Incucyte imaging, luminescence/fluorescence, immunohistochemistry, receptor-binding affinity, and effector function in primary cell systems.
• Flow cytometry experience, including cell sorting, intracellular staining, ROS detection, and apoptosis characterization.
• Experience with 3D cell culture and/or ChIP-seq development.
• Experience with laboratory automation equipment, such as Agilent systems or iDot.
• Familiarity with GLP principles and data-quality practices.
• Excellent collaboration skills and the ability to contribute across immediate teams, project teams, and diverse functions and departments.
• Working knowledge of Word, Excel, Prism, Outlook, and related data-analysis or documentation tools.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Work environment: This role may involve exposure to animal pathogens, chemicals, animal tissues or fluids, and zoonotic organisms. All work must follow applicable safety, biosafety, and regulatory requirements.

Role will be based in Kalamazoo, MI, with minimal travel to off-site locations in the US, UK, or EU.

Full time Regular Colleague

Any unsolicited resumes sent to Zoetis from a third party, such as an Agency recruiter, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Zoetis mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Zoetis employees, or to Zoetis resume database will be considered Zoetis property. Zoetis will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. Zoetis will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. This includes any Agency that is an approved/engaged vendor but does not have the appropriate approvals to be engaged on a search. Notice: Zoetis Recruiters will contact candidates via email from an address ending in @zoetis.com and may also initially connect with candidates through LinkedIn, including LinkedIn InMail. Zoetis does not use Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or other web-based/generic email domains to communicate about job opportunities, interviews, or offers of employment. If you receive a recruitment-related email message claiming to be from Zoetis that does not come from @zoetis.com, please treat it as suspicious. For your security, do not reply, click links, open attachments, share personal or financial information, or send money in response to unexpected or questionable recruitment communications. Zoetis is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status or any other protected classification. Disabled individuals are given an equal opportunity to use our online application system. We offer reasonable accommodations as an alternative if requested by an individual with a disability. Please contact Zoetis Colleague Services at [e-mail] to request an accommodation. Zoetis also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act. All applicants must possess or obtain authorization to work in the US for Zoetis. Zoetis retains sole and exclusive discretion to pursue sponsorship for the acquisition or maintenance of nonimmigrant status and employment eligibility, considering factors such as availability of qualified US workers. Individuals requiring sponsorship must disclose this fact. Please note that Zoetis seeks information related to job applications from candidates for jobs in the U.S. solely via the following: (1) our company website at www.Zoetis.com/careers site, or (2) via email to/from addresses using only the Zoetis domain of “@zoetis.com”. In addition, Zoetis does not use Google Hangout for any recruitment related activities. Any solicitation or request for information related to job applications with Zoetis via any other means and/or utilizing email addresses with any other domain should be disregarded. In addition, Zoetis will never ask candidates to make any type of personal financial investment related to gaining employment with Zoetis. At Zoetis, our purpose is to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals. As a Fortune 500 company and the world leader in animal health, we discover, develop, manufacture and commercialize vaccines, medicines, diagnostics and other technologies for companion animals and livestock. We know our people drive our success. Our award-winning culture, built around our Core Beliefs, focuses on our colleagues’ careers, connection and support. We offer competitive healthcare and retirement savings benefits, along with an array of benefits, policies and programs to support employee well-being in every sense, from health and financial wellness to family and lifestyle resources.