Scientist III, Immunology & Flow Cytometry

IBT Bioservices; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

IBT Bioservices in Rockville, MD, is seeking an experienced Scientist III to join our expanding immunology team. This role serves as a key subject matter expert in advanced flow cytometry and assay development within a fast-paced Contract Research Organization (CRO).

The ideal candidate will carry out complex immunological studies, oversee tissue processing, and ensure accurate data analysis while adhering to strict quality standards. A PhD and a minimum of 4–6 years of experience in a related field are required.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4–6 years of professional experience in a high-volume environment.
• Demonstrated capability in advanced panel design and multi-color compensation.
• Strong background in assay development and qualification methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead operator for BD FACSymphony A2 and perform routine maintenance.
• Develop, optimize, and qualify viral or immunology-based assays.
• Maintain detailed batch records and prepare technical reports.

Skills

Flow cytometry expertise

Assay development

Technical support/documentation

Education

PhD in Immunology, Cell Biology, Microbiology or related discipline

Tools

BD FACSymphony A2

qPCR

ELISPOT

Job description

IBT Bioservices is seeking an experienced, independent, and highly technical Scientist III to join our expanding immunology team. The ideal candidate will serve as a key subject matter expert in advanced flow cytometry and assay development within a fast-paced, high-volume Contract Research Organization (CRO) environment.

In this role, you will be responsible for end-to-end execution of complex immunological studies, from tissue processing to high-parameter data analysis. You must be adept at troubleshooting, panel design, and the rigorous validation of assays in compliance with project requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Flow Cytometry Expertise:
  • Serve as the lead operator for the BD FACSymphony A2 (or equivalent).
  • Perform routine machine maintenance, calibration, quality control, and troubleshooting to ensure optimal performance.
  • Design and validate complex 17+ color panels tailored to specific research objectives.
  • Independently perform mouse tissue harvests, including spleen and lung processing.
  • Execute flow cytometry experiments for diverse sample types, including human, non-human primate (NHP), and murine models.
• Assay Development & Sample Testing:
  • Participate in development, optimization, and qualification of robust viral or immunology-based assays, ensuring full adherence to internal quality standards, GXP-guidelines, and aggressive client timelines.
  • Proactively troubleshoot assay performance issues to guarantee high data integrity and consistency in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
  • Demonstrate exceptional pipetting precision and consistency, with the proven ability to handle high-throughput demands—specifically the capacity to execute 50+ 96-well plates per week while maintaining tight Coefficient of Variation (CV) targets.
  • Apply a deep understanding of XLFit (or similar), standard curve analysis and assay linearity to validate performance and ensure reliable quantitative results.
• Technical Support & Documentation:
  • Maintain detailed batch records and prepare technical reports summarizing findings.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align on study protocols and data interpretation.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: PhD in Immunology, Cell Biology, Microbiology, or a related scientific discipline.
• Experience: Minimum of 4–6 years of professional experience in a high-volume environment, CRO preferred.
• Authorization to work in US and Maryland residency.
• Technical Skills:
  • Hands-on experience with high-parameter flow cytometry (specifically BD Symphony or similar platforms).
  • Demonstrated capability in advanced panel design and multi-color compensation.
  • Strong background in assay development and qualification methodologies.
  • 3+ years of experience on BD Symphony A2 or similar (13+ color).
• Preferred Skills:
  • Basic operational knowledge or experience with qPCR and ELISPOT techniques is a plus.
• Soft Skills:
  • Highly independent professional, with proven proficiency in maintaining meticulous, audit-ready documentation in a fast-paced, high-volume setting.
  • Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with rigorous attention to detail.
  • Strong communication skills, capable of relaying (written and oral) technical data to internal and external stakeholders.