Research Associate II, Cell Therapy Platform

Tessera Therapeutics; Somerville (MA); On-site; USD 79,000 - 96,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual incentive bonus

Equity grants

Health benefits

Job summary

Tessera Therapeutics in Somerville, MA is seeking a Research Associate to join the Platform team. You will run experiments that advance our in vivo CAR-T programs, generate high-quality data, and develop skills in experimental design and analysis under experienced scientists.

The role suits an early-career scientist with hands-on mammalian cell culture and flow cytometry experience, meticulous records, and a collaborative mindset.

Qualifications

• BS or MS with related life-science degree and industry exposure as described.
• Hands-on experience with mammalian or primary cell culture and flow cytometry.
• Ability to follow established protocols and maintain thorough records.

Responsibilities

• Execute experiments using established methods including cell culture and flow cytometry.
• Plan basic to moderately complex experiments and consult on design with supervisor.
• Analyze data, assess quality, and report unusual results to the team.
• Operate and maintain lab equipment and document results in ELN.
• Contribute data and summaries to project team reports.

Skills

Flow cytometry

Data analysis

Cell culture

Record keeping

Communication

FlowJo

Education

BS in biology/biochemistry/immunology or related field with 2+ years industry experience or MS with 0–2 years

Tools

FlowJo

ELISA

qPCR

Job description

About the Role

Tessera is developing in vivo CAR-T therapies, using targeted lipid nanoparticles to deliver CAR mRNA directly to T cells. We're looking for a Research Associate to join our Platform team. You'll run experiments that move our CAR-T programs forward, generate high-quality data, and build your skills in experimental design and analysis alongside experienced scientists. This role suits someone who is detail-oriented, eager to learn, and excited to grow their scientific career in cell therapy.

Your experience includes…

• BS in biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology, or related field with 2+ years of industry experience, or an MS with 0–2 years of industry experience (co-ops and internships count toward the degree, not work experience)
• Working knowledge of immune-cell biology, with hands-on experience in mammalian or primary cell culture and flow cytometry; exposure to data analysis tools such as FlowJo and to functional assays such as cytotoxicity, proliferation, or cytokine release is a plus
• Laboratory experience in an academic or industry setting, with the ability to follow established protocols accurately and keep thorough, organized records
• Strong data analysis skills and attention to detail
• Clear communication, a collaborative spirit, and a positive, flexible approach to changing priorities

Nice to have…

• Experience with CAR-T or other engineered cell therapies
• Experience with mRNA or lipid nanoparticle delivery and characterization, including dose-response studies
• Familiarity with in vivo models for cell therapy, such as humanized mouse models
• Experience with plate-based assays, ELISA, or qPCR
• Familiarity with basic statistics or data tools

You are interested in…

• Executing experiments using established methods and techniques, including cell culture and flow cytometry, with supervision and guidance from senior team members
• Planning basic to moderately complex experiments for specific projects, consulting with your supervisor on design and methods
• Analyzing data, evaluating its quality, and recognizing patterns, anomalies, or inconsistencies, reporting unexpected results to your supervisor
• Operating and maintaining laboratory equipment, and documenting experiments and results accurately in the electronic lab notebook
• Contributing data, analyses, and summaries to project team reports and meetings
• Helping troubleshoot routine technical issues and beginning to suggest improvements or alternative approaches
• Managing and prioritizing your work as project needs change
• Building working relationships within your team and learning how your work connects to broader program goals

About you:

You're an early-career scientist who loves time at the bench and wants to build your career in cell therapy. You've worked hands-on with mammalian or primary immune cells and run flow cytometry, and you're comfortable following established protocols closely while keeping careful, organized records. On the Platform team, you'll put those skills to work running the cell culture, flow-based, and functional assays that test how well our targeted LNPs deliver CAR mRNA to T cells. You look closely at your data, notice when something doesn't look right, and raise it with your team. You adapt easily when priorities shift, communicate clearly, and are eager to take on more of the experimental design as your skills grow.

Meet your Manager:

Florence Caro, Associate Director, Molecular Design & Screening

Florence Caro is an Associate Director at Tessera Therapeutics, where she leads polypeptide engineering and screening for the CAR-T program. She sets the team’s scientific strategy and works with cross-functional partners to advance candidates toward in vivo studies.

Florence joined Tessera in 2022 on the Platform team. There she built high-throughput screening assays for the domains of Tessera’s Rewriter polypeptide and worked with the ML/AI team to identify candidates that improve gene editing efficiency. She earned her PhD at UCSF in the DeRisi lab and completed a postdoc at Harvard Medical School in the Mekalanos lab. Her expertise spans molecular biology, genomics, cell biology, and microbiology.

Florence is committed to helping early-career scientists build technical depth and independence. In this role, you’ll work closely with her and gain hands‑on mentorship as you grow your own research skills.

Meet your Talent Partner:

Ben Hoogheem – Senior Director, Head of Benefits & Talent Acquisition

Ben leads benefits and talent acquisition at Tessera Therapeutics. He shapes how the company attracts great people and supports them once they’re here.

Ben started his career as an in vivo pharmacologist. That work gave him a lasting appreciation for the rigor, creativity, and collaboration behind scientific discovery, and it still shapes how he builds organizations where science can thrive.

He focuses on matching exceptional people with bold science and on creating an environment where they can do their best work. He’ll guide you through the hiring process and can answer questions along the way.

Compensation:

The stated base salary range represents Tessera’s good‑faith estimate for this role. Actual compensation will be determined based on a number of factors, including but not limited to individual qualifications, years of relevant experience, internal compensation alignment, and external market data.

Tessera offers a competitive package of base and incentive compensation as well as a comprehensive benefits program designed to support the health, wellness, and financial security of our employees and their families. Benefits currently include group medical, vision, and dental coverage; group life and disability insurance; a 401(k) plan with company contribution; tuition reimbursement; and more.

This position is also eligible for an annual incentive bonus and equity grants as part of Tessera’s total rewards program.

Per Year Salary Range: $79,000 - $96,000 USD

Company Summary:

Tessera Therapeutics is pioneering Gene Writing™— a new biotechnology designed to offer scientists and clinicians the ability to write small and large therapeutic messages into the genome, thereby curing diseases at their source. Gene Writing holds the potential to become a new category in genetic medicine, building upon recent breakthroughs in gene therapy and gene editing while eliminating important limitations in their reach, utilization, and efficacy.

More about Tessera Therapeutics:

Tessera is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, marital status, genetics, protected veteran status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic identified by federal, state, or local laws where we operate. Tessera provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. To begin an interactive dialogue with Tessera regarding a reasonable accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied, please contact the recruiter or [e-mail]