Principal Scientist - In Vitro Immunotherapy

EMD Serono, Inc.; Billerica (MA); On-site; USD 127,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

PTO

Retirement contributions

Perquisites

Job summary

EMD Serono, Inc. is seeking an In Vitro Principal Scientist to shape the in vitro strategy for tumor immunology initiatives. You will execute experiments and lead discovery teams, coordinating across oncology projects to advance candidates through early development.

The role emphasizes designing robust immunology assays, integrating data across platforms, and mentoring teams in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• 8+ years hands-on immunology/immuno-oncology in academia or industry.
• Leadership of cross-functional teams in early drug discovery projects.
• Experience designing, executing and interpreting in vitro assays for tumor models and pharmacology.

Responsibilities

• Conceive new project ideas and design execution-ready workplans.
• Lead in vitro/ex vivo pharmacology studies in immuno-oncology.
• Build and validate human immunology models to improve translational predictivity.
• Scout and implement new assay platforms to boost data quality and speed.
• Generate in vitro data for target selection and lead optimization; support IND-enabling studies.
• Present results to multidisciplinary teams and senior leadership; manage CRO studies.

Skills

Immunology

Immuno-oncology

T-cell biology

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

Flow cytometry

High-content imaging

In vitro assays

Job description

Work Your Magic with us! Start your next chapter and join EMD Serono. Ready to explore, break barriers, and discover more? We know you’ve got big plans – so do we! Our colleagues across the globe love innovating with science and technology to enrich people’s lives with our solutions in Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics. Together, we dream big and are passionate about caring for our rich mix of people, customers, patients, and planet. That's why we are always looking for curious minds that see themselves imagining the unimaginable with us.

United As One for Patients, our purpose in Healthcare is to help create, improve and prolong lives. We develop medicines, intelligent devices and innovative technologies in therapeutic areas such as Oncology, Neurology and Fertility. Our teams work together across 6 continents with passion and relentless curiosity in order to help patients at every stage of life. Joining our Healthcare team is becoming part of a diverse, inclusive and flexible working culture, presenting great opportunities for personal development and career advancement across the globe.

This role does not offer sponsorship for work authorization. External applicants must be eligible to work in the US.

Your Role

Help to shape next generation cancer immunotherapies at EMD Serono. As an In Vitro Principal Scientist, you will not only execute experiments but also lead and represent the in vitro strategy on discovery teams supporting Tumor Immunology projects.

Our goal is to mobilize adaptive and innate immunity—spanning antibody therapeutics, T‑cell engagers, checkpoint modulators, and myeloid/NK activators—turning bold ideas into high‑quality clinical candidates in a fast‑paced, highly collaborative environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide creative, strategic input—conceive new project ideas and help design execution‑ready workplans
• Drive early drug discovery projects in immuno‑oncology by designing, conducting and overseeing in vitro/ex vivo pharmacology studies (human immune cell / tumor cell co‑culture assays; profile function via flow cytometry, cytokine/biomarker readouts, and high‑content imaging) to support development of novel biological and small molecule agents
• Build and validate human immunology models that complement animal studies to improve translational predictivity and de‑risk candidates
• Scout, implement, and champion new assay platforms to investigate novel MOAs, boost data quality, throughput, and decision‑making speed
• Independently generate in vitro data for target selection, lead optimization, candidate nomination; and enable program decisions toward IND‑enabling studies
• Analyze, document, and present results to multidisciplinary teams and senior leadership; manage studies at CROs and academic collaborations where needed

Who You Are

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years of experience, or Master’s degree in Immunology, Cancer Immunology, Oncology, Molecular/Cell Biology, or other Science field with 5+ years of hands‑on immunology/immuno‑oncology (T‑cell biology) experience in academia or industry setting

OR

• PhD in Immunology, Cancer Immunology, Oncology, Molecular/Cell Biology, or other Science field with 2+ years post‑PhD of hands‑on immunology/immuno‑oncology (T‑cell biology) experience in academia or industry setting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with driving early drug discovery projects and leading cross-functional teams,
• Expertise developing, running complex T‑cell functional assays (activation receptors, costimulatory molecules, checkpoint receptors) and interpreting mechanistic data to inform early development
• Experience in designing, executing, and interpreting in vitro assays for drug discovery, including tumor models and pharmacology experiments
• Clear, crisp communicator; highly organized multi-tasker who adapts quickly to deliver on‑time data packages
• Confident influencer who engages senior leadership and thrives in a matrixed organization
• Proven scientific impact—publications and contributions advancing new therapeutic concepts

Pay Range for this position: $126,900 - $215,400

The offer range represents the anticipated low and high end of the base pay compensation for this position. The actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level of experience, education, skills, and other job-related factors. Position may be eligible for sales or performance-based bonuses. Benefits offered by the Company include health insurance, paid time off (PTO), retirement contributions, and other perquisites.

Direct link to benefits site if the hyperlink no longer works: https://careers.emdgroup.com/us/en/benefits].

What we offer:

We are curious minds that come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe that this variety drives excellence and innovation, strengthening our ability to lead in science and technology. We are committed to creating access and opportunities for all to develop and grow at your own pace. Join us in building a culture of inclusion and belonging that impacts millions and empowers everyone to work their magic and champion human progress!