Scientist

Zenith LifeScience; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Zenith LifeScience seeks a Scientist to support rare disease CAR-T programs, executing experiments aligned to rare disease biology with safety and regulatory considerations. The role emphasizes precision, data integrity, and clear communication under defined project frameworks.

The Scientist conducts pre-designed experiments, including CAR-T related validation and data delivery, while collaborating with senior team members to refine experimental direction and ensure high-quality results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree with relevant experience in Immunology, Cell Biology, Bioengineering, or related field.
• Hands-on experience with CAR-T cell therapy or engineered T cell platforms.
• Demonstrated expertise in lentiviral vector production and associated QC assays.
• Strong practical experience with primary T cell culture and manipulation.
• Working knowledge of flow cytometry and functional T cell assays.
• Ability to work independently while following established protocols.

Responsibilities

• Execute pre-designed experimental plans for CAR-T cell engineering and validation
• Perform high-throughput lentiviral production and QC following established workflows, escalating issues as needed
• Conduct CAR validation and T-cell functional assays with guidance on experimental objectives
• Maintain accurate, traceable, and timely experimental documentation in electronic lab notebooks
• Communicate results clearly and proactively, including deviations, challenges, or unexpected findings
• Contribute to team troubleshooting discussions
• Work independently on assigned tasks while seeking input on experimental design changes
• Adhere strictly to Company data integrity, safety, and compliance standards

Skills

CAR-T cell therapy

Lentiviral vector production

Primary T cell culture

Flow cytometry

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Immunology/Cell Biology/Bioengineering

Tools

Flow cytometer

Electronic Lab Notebooks

Job description

This position will support rare disease-focused cell therapy programs, distinct from traditional oncology CAR-T development. The scientific focus is on non-malignant, genetically defined, or ultra-rare indications, where therapeutic goals, experimental design, and success criteria differ from oncology applications.

Key characteristics of this rare disease focus include:

• Emphasis on precision, durability, and controlled activity rather than tumor eradication
• Engineering CAR-T cells for long-term function, safety, and tight regulation
• Development of logic-gated or multi-input CAR systems to minimize off-target risk and enhance specificity
• Working with limited patient biology or scarce disease models, requiring thoughtful experimental design and data interpretation
• Supporting programs that may progress with smaller datasets but high mechanistic rigor
• Experience or background exclusively in oncology is welcomed, but candidates must demonstrate the ability to adapt CAR-T strategies to rare disease biological constraints and therapeutic objectives.

For the Scientist position, the role supports rare disease programs by executing experimental plans aligned to rare disease biology, safety requirements, and regulatory expectations.

The Scientist operates with partial independence, executing experiments and delivering data within defined project frameworks. This role focuses on high-quality execution, adherence to established protocols, and clear communication of results, with scientific direction provided by senior team members.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute pre-designed experimental plans for CAR-T cell engineering and validation
• Perform high-throughput lentiviral production and QC following established workflows, escalating issues as needed
• Conduct CAR validation and T-cell functional assays with guidance on experimental objectives
• Maintain accurate, traceable, and timely experimental documentation in electronic lab notebooks
• Communicate results clearly and proactively, including deviations, challenges, or unexpected findings
• Contribute to team troubleshooting discussions
• Work independently on assigned tasks while seeking input on experimental design changes
• Adhere strictly to Company data integrity, safety, and compliance standards

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor degree with relevant experience in Immunology, Cell Biology, Bioengineering, or related field
• Hands-on experience with CAR-T cell therapy or engineered T cell platforms
• Demonstrated expertise in lentiviral vector production and associated QC assays
• Strong practical experience with primary T cell culture and manipulation
• Working knowledge of flow cytometry and functional T cell assays
• Ability to work independently while following established protocols