Lead Scientist, LNP Discovery & CAR‑T Immunology

Emd Group; Billerica (MA); On-site; USD 127,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement contributions

PTO

Job summary

EMD Serono is seeking a Principal Scientist in LNP Discovery Biology to lead in vitro/in vivo studies for a targeted LNP delivery platform in CAR-T programs. You will collaborate across formulation, analytical, and regulatory teams, shaping study designs and data interpretation.

A strong immunology background and leadership across global teams are essential. This role involves mentoring scientists, presenting data to leadership, and driving candidate selection through IND-enabling work in a

Qualifications

• PhD in immunology, cell biology, molecular biology, or a related field.
• 6+ years of post-PhD experience in biotech, or pharma.
• Deep T cell immunology background, including CAR biology, pharmacology and in vitro studies required.
• Experience with in vivo CAR-T programs using targeted LNP required.
• Demonstrated ownership of in vivo study design in humanized mouse models; direct experience designing or interpreting NHP studies.
• Strong practical command of multicolor flow cytometry: panel design, compensation, gating strategy, and the failure modes of each.
• Track record of taking a program through candidate selection or IND-enabling work.
• Demonstrated success working cross-functionally on a matrixed or global project team, with colleagues and partners in other functions, sites, and time zones.
• Clear written and verbal communication — this role presents to leadership, partners, and advisors regularly, and influences without formal authority.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute and lead in vitro and ex vivo studies in support of targeted LNP delivery platform.
• Help design in vivo studies in humanized mouse models and non-human primates, including group structure, dose levels, dosing schedules, bleed cadence, and endpoint panels.
• Run and interpret multicolor flow cytometry readouts — CAR expression, reporter signal, target cell depletion, T cell activation and engraftment.
• Partner with formulation, lipid chemistry, and targeting-ligand teams to translate in vitro data into in vivo study designs.
• Interpret tolerability data and drive Go/No-Go recommendations on candidate selection.
• Build and defend head-to-head comparisons against benchmarks and published data.
• Represent in vivo CAR-T biology on the project team and align timelines with other functions.
• Write and present data to internal leadership, partners, advisors, and regulators as programs mature.
• Mentor junior scientists and grow the LNP Discovery Biology group as the portfolio expands.

Skills

T cell immunology

In vivo CAR-T design

Multicolor flow cytometry

Cross-functional collaboration

Scientific leadership

Data presentation

Education

PhD in immunology

Tools

LNP delivery platforms

CRO/vendor management

Job description

EMD Serono is seeking a Principal Scientist in LNP Discovery Biology to lead in vitro/in vivo studies for a targeted LNP delivery platform in CAR-T programs. You will collaborate across formulation, analytical, and regulatory teams, shaping study designs and data interpretation.

A strong immunology background and leadership across global teams are essential. This role involves mentoring scientists, presenting data to leadership, and driving candidate selection through IND-enabling work in a