In Vivo Senior Scientist

ImmunoVec; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

Healthcare coverage

Life & disability insurance

Dental & vision

Job summary

Immunovec is seeking an experienced in vivo scientist to lead mouse studies end-to-end—from design to dosing and sample collection—with BALB/c, C57BL/6, and humanized NSG/NOG models.

You will perform IV tail-vein dosing, manage readouts (bioluminescence imaging, flow cytometry, qPCR/ELISA), and supervise tissue collection. Collaboration with vivarium, Delivery and Immunology teams, and CROs is essential; room to grow into a team lead.

Qualifications

• PhD in Immunology, Molecular or Cell Biology or related field with 3+ years postdoctoral or industry in vivo research
• MS with 8+ years in vivo experience in biotech/pharma/CRO
• BS with 10+ years hands-on in vivo experience in biotech/pharma/CRO
• Hands-on intravenous (tail vein) dosing in mice; proficiency in at least one of IM, SC, or IP
• Experience establishing PBMC-engrafted or CD34+ HSPC-engrafted NSG/NOG mice
• Advanced multicolor flow cytometry panel design and analysis; qPCR/RT-qPCR/ELISA proficiency

Responsibilities

• Design and execute mouse studies end to end; design IACUC protocols and amendments; oversee dosing and humane endpoint calls
• Design and run readouts to show where the particle is delivered and which cells express the construct using biodistribution imaging, flow cytometry and molecular readouts
• Perform and train others in IV tail vein dosing and other routes; conduct humane bleeds and tissue collection
• Establish and maintain PBMC engrafted and CD34+ HSPC engrafted models; monitor engraftment
• Select and apply reporter systems for in vivo imaging to track biodistribution, engraftment or tumor burden
• Direct daily work of an animal technician; manage studies with external CROs; participate in program meetings

Skills

Rodent techniques

Humanized models

Assay proficiency

Delivery / cell therapy

Independence & communication

Education

PhD in Immunology/Molecular/Cell Biology

MS with 8+ years in vivo

BS with 10+ years in vivo

Tools

Flow cytometry

qPCR

RT-qPCR

ELISA

Job description

Who We Are

Immunovec is a pioneering biotechnology company developing cell type-specific immunotherapies for autoimmune diseases, cancer, and genetic disorders. Launched from stealth in October 2025 with $40.7 million in funding from ARPA-H’s EMBODY program and additional private seed funding, Immunovec is pushing the boundaries of in vivo cell engineering.

Our proprietary platform combines cell-type-specific DNA constructs with targeted non-viral delivery particles. We aim to deliver safer, more potent, and far more accessible therapies at unprecedented scale, speed, and cost.

When you join Immunovec, you’re joining a mission-driven team at the forefront of in vivo cell engineering, based in the Los Angeles area.

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced in vivo scientist / senior scientist to help lead and execute our in vivo mouse studies. This position will lead and oversee studies end-to-end from design through dosing, health monitoring, sample collection, imaging, and ex vivo analysis with intravenous (IV, tail vein) dosing as our routine, primary administration route. Title and compensation will be commensurate with education and experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Study design and execution: Own mouse studies end to end: design IACUC protocols and amendments, dosing, daily health monitoring and humane endpoint calls, sample collection, and records. Models include BALB/c, C57BL/6, and humanized NSG/NOG (PBMC and CD34+ HSPC engrafted).
• Delivery and expression readouts: Design and run the studies that show where the particle is delivered, which cells express the construct, at what level, and for how long. Combine biodistribution imaging, flow cytometry, and qPCR, RT-qPCR, or ELISA into readouts the Delivery team can use to iterate new designs..
• Dosing and sampling: Act as the team's hands on expert in intravenous (tail vein) dosing of test articles and cell products, plus IM, SC, and IP. Perform and train others in retro-orbital, submandibular, and tail vein bleeds, and in tissue collection at study timepoints.
• Humanized models: Establish and maintain PBMC engrafted and CD34+ HSPC engrafted models, monitor engraftment and immune reconstitution, and troubleshoot variability.
• In vivo imaging & reporter gene strategy: Select and apply the right reporter systemfor the biological question - luciferase for longitudinal, organ-level bioluminescence tracking; eGFP/tdTomato/mCherry for cellular-level flow or histological readouts - and design in vivo imaging studies accordingly to track biodistribution, engraftment, or tumor burden.
• Team, partners, and vivarium: Direct the day to day work of an animal technician and manage studies placed with external CROs. Represent In Vivo in program meetings with the Delivery, Immunology, and Cell Therapy teams, and vet proposed constructs before they reach an animal. Partner on colony records, animal supply, and vivarium upkeep, with room to grow into a team lead role as the group scales.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Education and experience: PhD in Immunology, Molecular or Cell Biology, or a related field with 3 or more years of postdoctoral or industry in vivo research; OR MS with 8 or more years; OR BS with 10 or more years of hands on in vivo experience in a biotech, pharma, or CRO setting.
• Rodent technique (required): Demonstrated, hands on intravenous (tail vein) dosing in mice, plus proficiency in at least one of IM, SC, or IP. Competent in at least two of retro-orbital, submandibular, or tail vein bleeds, and skilled in clinical scoring, body weight tracking, and humane endpoint assessment.
• Humanized models (required): Hands on experience establishing and monitoring PBMC engrafted or CD34+ HSPC engrafted NSG/NOG mice, including engraftment monitoring.
• Assays (required): Advanced multicolor flow cytometry panel design and analysis (FlowJo, OMIQ, SpectroFlo, or Cytobank), plus working proficiency in qPCR, RT-qPCR, and ELISA.
• Delivery or cell therapy background: Preclinical experience with engineered T or NK cell therapies (CAR-T, CAR-NK), or with nucleic acid delivery to immune cells by lipid nanoparticle, polymer, or viral vector. Candidates from viral gene therapy are welcome; expertise in preclinical study design of engineered cells is more critical than experience with our vectors.
• Independence and communication: Designs, troubleshoots, and interprets in vivo studies without close supervision. Mentors junior staff, presents data clearly to cross functional teams and leadership, keeps meticulous records, and adapts study plans as priorities move in a startup.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Familiarity with murine viral infection or tumor models (e.g., LCMV, xenograft/CDX/PDX) as a proxy for immune-kinetics study design.
• Prior authorship on peer-reviewed publications and/or patents.
• Data analysis proficiency in GraphPad Prism or equivalent; RStudio and RNA-seq/other -omics familiarity a plus.
• GLP or IND enabling study experience, run in house or placed with a CRO.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation range: $115,000 to $140,000 per year, plus equity. Title (Scientist II or Senior Scientist) and compensation are set on demonstrated experience.

Immunovec is proud to provide a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with competitive company contribution.
• Life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
• Equity participation (stock options) commensurate with level and experience.
• Opportunity to work on science with real-world impact on patient lives.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Immunovec is an equal opportunity employer committed to a welcoming and diverse environment. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.