Senior Scientist, Immunology

Marengo Therapeutics; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free parking

Health coverage (medical)

401K (no matching)

Vacation and holidays

Parental leave

Job summary

Marengo Therapeutics, located in Cambridge, MA, is seeking a Senior Scientist with deep in vitro immunology expertise to design and lead cell-based assays using primary human, NHP, and rodent immune cells. You will drive data to shape program strategy and serve as an SME on cross-functional program teams.

You will lead TDCC and multi-parameter flow cytometry studies, mentor junior staff, and contribute to target discovery and validation for next-generation T cell engagers and immune-modulating

Qualifications

• PhD in Immunology, Cell Biology, or related field with 4+ years of experience, or MS with 8+ years immunology experience.
• Demonstrated experience executing immunological assays with primary immune cells.
• Hands-on experience with T cell functional assays, including activation, proliferation, cytokine production, and cytotoxicity readouts.
• Strong data analysis and interpretation skills, with the ability to translate complex datasets into clear conclusions.
• Expertise with multi-parameter flow cytometry.

Responsibilities

• Independently design, optimize, and execute in vitro and ex vivo cellular assays leveraging primary human, murine, and NHP immune cells to evaluate target engagement, activation, cytotoxicity, and mechanism of action.
• Build and run T cell engager–specific pharmacology assays — including TDCC and tumor cell co-culture killing across various densities — to define potency and selectivity.
• Characterize Vβ-selective T cell activation, expansion, and memory/exhaustion phenotypes to connect design to mechanism of action.
• Apply advanced flow cytometry and immunoassays (ELISA, MSD) to characterize immune cell function.
• Mentor junior scientists on assay execution, data interpretation, and lab practices.
• Support in vivo study activities in collaboration with the broader team.

Skills

Immunology

Data analysis

Flow cytometry

Cross-functional collaboration

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in Immunology or related

MS with 8+ years immunology

Tools

FlowJo

OMIQ

GraphPad Prism

ELISA

MSD

Job description

This is a full-time, lab-based role based in Cambridge, MA. Only applicants currently living within commuting distance of Cambridge, MA will be considered.

Marengo Therapeutics is developing first-in-class bi-specific T cell activators that stimulate and expand anti-tumor T cells to generate deep, durable anti-tumor immunity. Our lead program is in Phase 2 clinical trials, currently being evaluated across multiple solid tumor indications, backed by an advanced antibody discovery platform and a growing pipeline of multi-specific immune-modulating therapeutics.

Building on that clinical foundation, our TriSTAR platform is enabling the development of a new generation of precision T cell engagers (TCEs). TriSTAR molecules are multi-specific antibody fusions that pair our proprietary antibodies against germline-encoded V\u03b2 regions of the TCR with a T cell co-stimulatory moiety and a tumor-associated antigen binder — selectively activating and expanding memory V\u03b2 T cell subsets while redirecting them to the tumor in a single molecule. This differentiated, built-in-costimulation mechanism is designed to overcome the poor T cell quality and exhaustion that limit conventional CD3-based T cell engagers, particularly in immunologically "cold" tumors.

We're looking for a Senior Scientist with deep in vitro immunology expertise to help drive our next generation of T cell engagers and immune-modulating biologics. You will design and lead cell-based assays using primary human, NHP and rodent immune cells — generating mechanistic data that shapes program strategy — while serving as a subject matter expert on program teams.

What are we looking for?

Required

• PhD in Immunology, Cell Biology, or a related discipline with 4+ years of relevant experience, or MS with 8+ years of hands-on immunology experience.
• Demonstrated experience executing immunological assays with primary immune cells.
• Hands-on experience with T cell functional assays, including activation, proliferation, cytokine production, and cytotoxicity readouts.
• Strong data analysis and interpretation skills, with the ability to translate complex datasets into clear conclusions.
• Expertise with multi-parameter flow cytometry.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, with the ability to drive cross-functional collaboration in a matrix environment.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and standard scientific software.

Preferred

• Direct experience supporting T cell engagers, bispecific or multi-specific antibodies, or other TCR-directed biologics, including TDCC and cytokine release assessment.
• Familiarity with TCR biology, V\u03b2 repertoire analysis, or T cell memory and exhaustion differentiation.
• Expertise in immune cell isolation (including magnetic separation methods).
• Experience developing and validating primary and immortalized cell-based assays.
• Experience designing and implementing 3D culture models (e.g., organoids and/or spheroids), including tumor killing readouts.
• Experience with real-time cell analysis and imaging technologies such as IncuCyte.
• Experience with analytical tools such as FlowJo, OMIQ, and GraphPad Prism.
• Prior experience in biopharmaceutical R&D or drug development.
• Track record of scientific productivity and innovation as demonstrated through project outcomes and/or publications.

Requirements

What are we offering?

• Membership within a growing, CARING, and collegial organization
• Highly intellectual and analytical team, that challenges the status quo and loves innovation
• Being part of a passionate, involved, and cutting-edge Research Team
• Exposure to pioneering science and the discovery of drugs to help treat patients with cancer

Responsibilities:

• Independently design, optimize, and execute in vitro and ex vivo cellular assays leveraging primary human, murine, and NHP immune cells to evaluate target engagement, immune cell activation, cytotoxicity, and mechanism of action.
• Build and run T cell engager–specific pharmacology assays — including T cell–dependent cellular cytotoxicity (TDCC), tumor cell co-culture killing across a range of target antigen densities, seria killing assays, cytokine release, and target-dependent versus target-independent activation — to define potency, selectivity, and therapeutic index for TriSTAR and related multi-specific molecules.
• Characterize V\u03b2-selective T cell activation, expansion, and memory/exhaustion phenotypes to connect molecular design and format to mechanism of action.
• Apply advanced flow cytometry and complementary immunoassay platforms (e.g., ELISA, MSD) to characterize immune cell function and biological activity.
• Analyze complex, multi-parameter datasets and communicate findings clearly through technical reports and presentations to scientific and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Proactively generate new experimental ideas and provide scientific input that impacts program strategy and decision-making.
• Contribute to the identification and validation of novel tumor targets for next-generation T cell engagers and immunotherapies.
• Support in vivo study activities, including murine tissue processing and downstream analysis, in collaboration with the broader research team.
• Mentor junior scientists on assay execution, data interpretation, troubleshooting, and laboratory best practices.
• Maintain rigorous laboratory practices, including accurate electronic lab notebooks.

Adaptability

Responds resourcefully, flexibly, and positively when faced with new challenges, transitions, and demands. Willingly and effectively deals with the stress and complexities of various situations. Moves forward productively and optimistically under conditions of change and uncertainty.

Collaboration

Embodies and promotes collaboration and works effectively with others across the organization to achieve goals. Demonstrates proficient cross-company communication, cultural sensitivity, and partnership in interactions with others. Involves others in decisions and plans and credits them for their contributions and accomplishments.

Execution

Drives execution of strategic and operating plans while maintaining operational effectiveness. Conveys a strong sense of urgency around continuous improvement, achieving high quality results, and accelerating business performance. Addresses problems directly and drives changes necessary to achieve business objectives.

Relationship Building

Establishes and maintains strong relationships internally and externally. Respects and relates well to management, colleagues, peers, and direct reports. Champions a culture of respect, diversity, and inclusion that values and respects individuals. Earns the respect of others through principled leadership, sound business ethics, and authenticity.

Location: Cambridge, MA ( We are located in Lower Cambridge, called Cambridgeport)

When You Join Marengo, You Will Have:

In addition to the compensation, we offer the following benefits:

• Free parking, Cambridge location reachable by public transportation (Red Line)
• Customized and competitive health coverage, including medical offered through BCBS (HMO/PPO), dental, and vision
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care expenses
• Eligible from the first day for 401K, no matching
• A robust package of Marengo-paid insurance coverage, including life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, and parental leave
• 20 days of vacation and one personal day, and 64 hours of sick time per year, in addition to 16 company holidays

Marengo Therapeutics, Inc. is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant because of race, creed, color, age, national origin, ancestry, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, veteran status, military status, application for military service or any other class protected by state or federal law.