Scientist/Senior Scientist, Immunology

HotSpot Therapeutics, Inc; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and bonus plans

401k match and comprehensive benefits

Generous paid holidays and time off

Job summary

HotSpot Therapeutics, Inc. is seeking a highly motivated immunologist to design, execute, and interpret cellular immunology studies for discovery-stage programs. The role emphasizes hands-on work with primary human immune cells and multiparameter flow cytometry to inform mechanism of action and pharmacology.

The successful candidate thrives in a fast-paced drug discovery environment, collaborates across teams, and may take on broader project leadership as priorities evolve.

Qualifications

• PhD or related advanced degree with relevant industry experience.
• Hands-on experience with primary human immune cells.
• Expertise in multiparameter flow cytometry and data interpretation.
• Experience with cellular immunology assays and molecular techniques.
• Ability to independently design experiments and troubleshoot.

Responsibilities

• Perform experiments with primary human immune cells to support small molecule programs.
• Design and execute multiparameter flow cytometry studies for phenotype and function.
• Characterize compound activity and pharmacodynamics in cellular systems.
• Troubleshoot challenges with minimal supervision and document results.
• Generate and communicate data to cross‑functional teams with rigor.
• Support downstream genomic and transcriptional profiling sample generation.
• Evaluate targets by literature and disease relevance to guide strategies.
• Collaborate across biology, chemistry, and translational sciences.

Skills

Primary human immune cells

Flow cytometry

Experimental design

Data interpretation

Collaborative work

Education

PhD in Immunology or related discipline

BS/MS in Immunology or related with 4–8 years experience

Tools

Western blotting

qPCR

Concentration‑response assays

Viral and non‑viral gene delivery

Job description

Full-time hybrid role based in Boston, MA

About HotSpot Therapeutics, Inc.

At HotSpot Therapeutics, nature is inspiring us to create a wave of new medicines. Through a proprietary technology platform, we are uncovering privileged allosteric sites used by nature to control proteins – called regulatory hotspots– that can be exploited through small molecule drug discovery. Regulatory hotspots are allowing sought-after targets to be drugged for the first time while delivering molecules with exquisite selectivity and attractive drug-like properties.

Hotspot is supported by a syndicate of leading healthcare investors based in the US and Europe. You will be joining a seasoned team of drug hunters with an excellent track record in drug discovery. At HotSpot, we’re not just looking for the brightest minds or for the most brilliant individual contributors. We want passionate team members who are comfortable adjusting their lens, aren’t afraid to think big, test bold ideas, and celebrate collective wins. We have established core values that resemble who we are and define our company culture. We are building a company where values drive everything we do inside and outside the organization.

#Courageous Adventurers #Leave your Mark #Keep it Human #Make it Real
SUMMARY:

HotSpot Therapeutics is seeking a highly motivated immunologist to join our Immunology Team. This lab-based role focuses on designing, executing, and interpreting cellular immunology studies that advance our discovery-stage small molecule programs.

The ideal candidate brings hands‑on experience with primary human immune cells and a strong track record of independently running complex immunology experiments; generating high-quality data that informs compound mechanism of action, pharmacology, and target biology. They are scientifically curious, technically versatile, and thrive in a fast‑paced drug discovery environment. Over time, there may be opportunities to support broader project leadership activities as responsibilities and organizational priorities evolve.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform experiments using primary human immune cells, including isolation, culture, stimulation, phenotypic characterization, and functional assessment to support discovery and advancement of small molecule therapeutics.
• Design and execute multiparameter flow cytometry experiments to evaluate immune cell phenotype, activation state, signaling, and function.
• Design and execute concentration-response studies to characterize compound activity, potency, mechanism of action, and pharmacodynamic effects in cellular systems.
• Independently troubleshoot experimental and technical challenges and implement solutions with minimal supervision.
• Generate, analyze, interpret, and communicate data to multidisciplinary project teams, and maintain detailed experimental records to ensure high standards of scientific rigor, reproducibility, and data quality.
• Support generation of samples for downstream genomic and transcriptional profiling studies.
• Evaluate emerging therapeutic targets by critically assessing published literature, human disease relevance, genetic and pathway evidence, and biological rationale, and contribute to the development of biological hypotheses and experimental strategies that strengthen understanding of disease mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities to support target nomination and portfolio decisions.
• Collaborate closely with scientists across biology, chemistry, translational sciences, and other functional groups to advance research programs, including contributing to the design, oversight, interpretation, and troubleshooting of externally executed studies when appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• PhD in Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or a related discipline with demonstrated level of expertise and a minimum of 2+ years of relevant experience in small‑molecule drug discovery, including industry or a combination of post‑doctoral and industry experience; or BS/MS degree in Immunology or related disciplines with 4-8 years of relevant industry experience and demonstrated scientific independence may be considered.
• Strong hands‑on expertise working with primary human immune cells.
• Demonstrated expertise in multiparameter flow cytometry, including experimental design, execution, data analysis, and interpretation.
• Experience developing, optimizing, and troubleshooting cellular immunology assays, and experience with core immunology and molecular biology techniques, including cell culture, cytokine measurement, western blotting, qPCR, and related approaches.
• Experience evaluating pharmacologic perturbations in cellular systems, including the generation and interpretation of concentration‑response relationships, and characterizing compound activity, mechanism of action, and pharmacodynamic responses in cellular assay systems.
• Demonstrated ability to independently design experiments, interpret results, troubleshoot technical challenges, and propose follow‑up studies, along with strong scientific judgment and the ability to critically assess published literature and emerging biological concepts.
• Experience with cell engineering and functional genomics techniques, including stable cell line generation, viral and non‑viral gene delivery, expression of mutant proteins, and gene knockdown/knockout studies; experience in primary immune cells is highly desirable.
• Excellent organizational, communication, data analysis, and presentation skills, and the ability to thrive in a collaborative and fast‑paced research environment.

OUR BENEFITS:

We believe that people are our greatest resource and foster a supportive environment that provides growth and development for all. We recognize and reward performance and incentivize long‑term success. From benefits that focus on your health and well‑being to competitive compensation to equity ownership, we want to inspire our employees to be their best!

Our Benefits Include, But Are Not Limited To:

• Competitive salary and bonus plans
• Comprehensive package of benefits plans and fringe benefits, including employer 401k match
• Generous paid holidays, time off, including company wide shutdowns
• Amazing team of supportive colleagues

At HotSpot, we have a bold mission to establish a new drug discovery paradigm.

HotSpot is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

At this time, HotSpot is not able to offer Visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.