Scientist

Zenith LifeScience LLC.; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Zenith LifeScience LLC. in Santa Monica, CA, seeks a Scientist, Analytical Technology to evaluate live-cell imaging platforms and benchmark them against QC methods for automated, high-throughput QC.

This on-site, 12-month role with potential conversion emphasizes working with cross-functional teams to meet regulatory expectations. The position targets PhD scientists or experienced MS scientists who can initiate work and deliver on time-sensitive projects, including vendor evaluations, data

Qualifications

• PhD in cell biology, molecular biology, immunology, bioengineering or a related field (completed by start date), or an MS in a related field with 4+ years of hands-on research experience.
• Hands-on cell-based imaging experience, such as fluorescence or confocal microscopy, high-content imaging or imaging flow cytometry.
• Hands-on primary cell and cell line culture, counting and assay plating with strong aseptic technique.
• A track record of working independently with minimal supervision: designing and running experiments end to end, with appropriate controls, replicates and statistics.
• Takes initiative rather than waiting for tasks to be assigned, and communicates proactively to discuss progress and deliver results on time-sensitive deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Design and run feasibility studies, demos and vendor evaluations of new live-cell imaging and cell analysis platforms, such as high-content imagers, flow cytometers and cell imagers from Yokogawa (e.g., CQ1), Revvity, Agilent, Client, Molecular Devices and Thermo Fisher Scientific.
• Benchmark new platforms against current QC methods on accuracy, precision, sensitivity, robustness, throughput and hands-on time.
• Culture genetically modified primary human T cells and cell lines using aseptic technique; count, assess viability, normalize to target densities and plate into multi-well assays, manually or with semi-automated tools.
• Prepare cell samples and experimental conditions for assays: fluorescent antibody staining and titration for flow and imaging cytometry, serial dilutions of cell densities, and conditions such as heat-killed controls and effector-to-target (E:T) cytotoxicity co-cultures.
• Develop, optimize and troubleshoot imaging-based assays, from sample preparation through image acquisition and analysis.
• Work with automation and data science colleagues to adapt promising methods for integration with lab automation.
• Analyze data with appropriate statistics and communicate findings through reports and presentations.
• Document work in an electronic lab notebook (e.g., Benchling) following good documentation practices.
• Serve as a technical contact for vendors and cross-functional partners.
• Order reagents and consumables, and keep instruments and lab areas in good working order.

Skills

PhD in cell biology/molecular biology

Live-cell imaging experience

Primary cell culture

Independent work with minimal supervis

Initiative and timely delivery

Tools

GraphPad Prism

JMP

CellProfiler

Fiji/ImageJ

Python

Benchling

Job description

Santa Monica, CA, US

12 Months with possibility of conversion

MondayFriday, day shift, 8:00 am5:00 pm; cell culture is scheduled to avoid weekend work

Job Description

Want your experiments to shape how next-generation cell therapies are tested? You will evaluate emerging live-cell imaging and cell analysis platforms, benchmark them against current QC methods, and recommend which ones move into automated, high-throughput QC.

Scientist, Analytical Technology

Location: Santa Monica, CA, US

Term: 12 Months with possibility of conversion

Schedule: MondayFriday, day shift, 8:00 am5:00 pm; cell culture is scheduled to avoid weekend work

Job Description

Want your experiments to shape how next-generation cell therapies are tested? You will evaluate emerging live-cell imaging and cell analysis platforms, benchmark them against current QC methods, and recommend which ones move into automated, high-throughput QC.

Unlike discovery or academic research, this role sits in technical operations: each study answers a defined business question on a set timeline, and methods must ultimately meet regulatory expectations. You will partner with analytical automation, analytical development, data science, QC and Lab Operations/IT teams, as well as instrument vendors.

This is not an entry-level role. It suits PhD scientists moving into industry, or experienced MS scientists. You will work independently with minimal supervision, so candidates who can initiate work and deliver on time-sensitive projects are especially encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and run feasibility studies, demos and vendor evaluations of new live-cell imaging and cell analysis platforms, such as high-content imagers, flow cytometers and cell imagers from Yokogawa (e.g., CQ1), Revvity, Agilent, Client, Molecular Devices and Thermo Fisher Scientific.
• Benchmark new platforms against current QC methods on accuracy, precision, sensitivity, robustness, throughput and hands-on time.
• Culture genetically modified primary human T cells and cell lines using aseptic technique; count, assess viability, normalize to target densities and plate into multi-well assays, manually or with semi-automated tools.
• Prepare cell samples and experimental conditions for assays: fluorescent antibody staining and titration for flow and imaging cytometry, serial dilutions of cell densities, and conditions such as heat-killed controls and effector-to-target (E:T) cytotoxicity co-cultures.
• Develop, optimize and troubleshoot imaging-based assays, from sample preparation through image acquisition and analysis.
• Work with automation and data science colleagues to adapt promising methods for integration with lab automation.
• Analyze data with appropriate statistics and communicate findings through reports and presentations.
• Document work in an electronic lab notebook (e.g., Benchling) following good documentation practices.
• Serve as a technical contact for vendors and cross-functional partners.
• Order reagents and consumables, and keep instruments and lab areas in good working order.

Key Deliverables

You will own each evaluation end to end, from plan to recommendation:

• Evaluation plans with clear success criteria
• Comparison data and gap analyses
• Desk-based projections of ROI and key assay parameters (e.g., throughput, cost per sample, hands-on time) that compare similar technologies and instruments
• Assessment reports with a clear recommendation: adopt, adapt or do not pursue
• Draft protocols and SOP inputs for platforms that move forward

Required Qualifications

• PhD in cell biology, molecular biology, immunology, bioengineering or a related field (completed by start date), or an MS in a related field with 4+ years of hands-on research experience
• Hands-on cell-based imaging experience, such as fluorescence or confocal microscopy, high-content imaging or imaging flow cytometry
• Hands-on primary cell and cell line culture, counting and assay plating with strong aseptic technique
• A track record of working independently with minimal supervision: designing and running experiments end to end, with appropriate controls, replicates and statistics
• Takes initiative rather than waiting for tasks to be assigned, and communicates proactively to discuss progress and deliver results on time-sensitive deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of fluorescent antibody staining and titration for flow or imaging cytometry, including designing basic 5-color panels
• Experience with primary T cells, cell therapy or GxP environments
• Data and image analysis with tools such as GraphPad Prism, JMP or vendor imaging software, plus scripting (e.g., Python, CellProfiler, Fiji/ImageJ)
• Detail-oriented and organized across several concurrent projects
• Familiarity with method qualification and validation (e.g., ICH Q2(R2), Q14)
• Lab automation or liquid handler experience
• Experience with Benchling or another ELN

Requirements

Physical requirements and working conditions:

• Fully on-site, with about 75% of time in the lab
• BSL-2, GxP-aligned development laboratory (non-GMP) handling human cells; biosafety and bloodborne pathogen training and appropriate PPE (e.g., lab coat, gloves, eye protection) required
• Standing for extended periods at the bench or biosafety cabinet
• Lifting and moving items up to 10 lb, such as media, reagent cases and small equipment