Senior Immuno-Oncology Research Scientist

Belcan; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Belcan is seeking a Senior Research Associate in South San Francisco, CA, to design, execute, and analyze experiments supporting discovery in solid tumor biology and immuno-oncology.

You will culture organoids/tumoroids and mammalian cells, run immunoassays, and work with primary samples or patient-derived materials, contributing to data-driven therapeutic development with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Sciences, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Cancer Biology, or related discipline.
• Minimum 1–2 years of research experience in academic or industry lab.
• Hands-on experience with organoid culture or other advanced 3D cellular model systems.
• Strong experience with mammalian cell culture including sterile technique, cell maintenance, expansion, banking, and assay preparation.
• Experience with T cell biology and immune-cell-based assay systems.
• Working knowledge of current molecular, cellular, and immunology-based assays.
• Experience with functional immunoassays such as TDCC, ADCC, T cell activation, immune-cell killing assays, cytokine release assays, or related workflows.
• Ability to generate reliable, reproducible data and communicate results clearly.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative team environment.

Responsibilities

• Culture, maintain, expand, and characterize mammalian cell lines, organoids, tumoroids, and other advanced 2D/3D cellular models.
• Perform molecular, cellular, and immunology-based assays to support oncology and immuno-oncology research programs.
• Design and execute experiments using qPCR, ELISA, Western blotting, imaging-based assays, viability/proliferation assays, cytokine assays, and other standard workflows.
• Support development and optimization of organoid/tumoroid assays using solid tumor models and, where applicable, patient-derived or primary samples.
• Conduct immune-cell-based functional assays, including T cell activation, T cell killing, TDCC, ADCC, cytokine release, and related immuno-oncology assays.
• Conduct flow cytometry experiments, including sample preparation, staining, acquisition, and analysis.
• Work with primary immune cells and/or tumor samples to evaluate immune-mediated anti-tumor activity.
• Analyze, interpret, and present experimental results to project teams.
• Troubleshoot experimental challenges and contribute ideas for assay improvement.

Skills

Organoid culture/3D models

Mammalian cell culture

T cell biology

Flow cytometry

Immunoassays (TDCC/ADCC)

Data interpretation

Experimental troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Sciences or related

Master's degree in Biomedical Sciences or related (preferred)

Tools

GraphPad Prism

FlowJo

Excel

Job description

Belcan is seeking a Senior Research Associate in South San Francisco, CA, to design, execute, and analyze experiments supporting discovery in solid tumor biology and immuno-oncology.

You will culture organoids/tumoroids and mammalian cells, run immunoassays, and work with primary samples or patient-derived materials, contributing to data-driven therapeutic development with cross-functional teams.