Vector Scientist

BioCT Innovation Commons; New Haven, Northern (CT, KY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Cellinfinity Bio, Inc. in New Haven, CT, seeks a Vector Scientist (Scientist I) to design, construct, and optimize lentiviral vectors for our in vivo CAR‑T platform. This hands-on role is ideal for an early‑career scientist eager to advance gene therapy technologies.

You will perform cloning, plasmid engineering, and vector production, plus mammalian cell culture and data analysis, contributing to translational research and collaboration across disciplines.

Qualifications

• MS/Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Bioengineering, Biotechnology, Immunology, or related field.
• 0–3 years post‑PhD or 2–5 years after MS; research experience in academia or industry.
• Hands-on molecular biology techniques: PCR, molecular cloning, DNA construct design, plasmid preparation, DNA sequencing analysis.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture and flow cytometry data analysis.
• Excellent organizational and documentation skills; strong written and verbal communication; ability to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Design and construct plasmids and genetic vectors for cell and gene therapy applications.
• Perform molecular cloning using standard and advanced cloning techniques (restriction enzyme cloning, Golden Gate cloning, PCR-based cloning).
• Design DNA constructs for optimal expression and characterization.
• Prepare, characterize, and verify plasmids using sequencing and related techniques.
• Produce and optimize lentiviral vectors for research applications.
• Perform mammalian cell culture, stable cell line generation, and transient transfection experiments.
• Evaluate construct expression using flow cytometry, microscopy, and molecular assays.
• Troubleshoot cloning, vector production, and expression challenges.
• Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks and electronic records.
• Analyze experimental data using GraphPad Prism, FlowJo, and other software.
• Present research findings in internal meetings.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to advance Cellinfinity's gene therapy platform.

Skills

Molecular biology

Cell culture

Flow cytometry

Data analysis

Documentation

Education

MS/Ph.D. in Molecular Biology or related field

Tools

PCR

DNA sequencing

Golden Gate cloning

Cloning software (SnapGene, Benchling, Geneious)

GraphPad Prism

FlowJo

Job description

Cellinfinity Bio is a Yale University spinout pioneering next-generation in vivo CAR‑T cell therapies through proprietary lentiviral vector (LVV) platform technologies. Our mission is to transform the way cell therapies are delivered by enabling the generation of therapeutic CAR‑T cells directly within patients, eliminating many of the manufacturing and logistical challenges associated with conventional ex vivo cell therapies.

Built on cutting‑edge research and technologies licensed from Yale University, Cellinfinity is developing innovative platform technologies at the intersection of gene therapy, synthetic biology, immunology, and cell engineering. Our team is advancing breakthrough therapies for liquid and solid cancers, autoimmune diseases, and other serious diseases while pushing the boundaries of in vivo genetic engineering.

We are seeking a highly motivated Vector Scientist (Scientist I) to join our research team and contribute to the design, construction, and optimization of lentiviral vectors for next‑generation cell and gene therapies. This position is ideal for an early‑career scientist who enjoys hands‑on molecular biology research in a collaborative and fast‑paced biotechnology startup environment.

Position Summary

The successful candidate will have strong hands‑on experience in molecular biology, DNA construct design, cloning, plasmid engineering, and mammalian cell culture. The scientist will play an important role in designing and building viral vector constructs, supporting lentiviral vector production, and developing new genetic engineering strategies for Cellinfinity's in vivo CAR‑T platform.

This is an excellent opportunity for a recent Ph.D. graduate or junior scientist seeking to develop expertise in viral vector engineering and cell and gene therapy product development.

Responsibilities

• Design and construct plasmids and genetic vectors for cell and gene therapy applications.
• Perform molecular cloning using standard and advanced cloning techniques, including restriction enzyme cloning, Golden Gate cloning, PCR‑based cloning.
• Design DNA constructs for optimal target gene expression and characterization.
• Prepare, characterize, and verify plasmids using sequencing and molecular biology techniques.
• Produce and optimize lentiviral vectors for research applications.
• Perform mammalian cell culture, stable cell line generation, and transient transfection experiments.
• Evaluate construct expression using flow cytometry, microscopy, and molecular assays.
• Troubleshoot cloning, vector production, and expression challenges.
• Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks and electronic records.
• Analyze experimental data using GraphPad Prism, FlowJo, and other software.
• Present research findings during internal meetings.
• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary research teams to advance Cellinfinity's gene therapy platform.

Qualifications

Required

• MS/Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Bioengineering, Biotechnology, Immunology, or a related discipline.
• 0–3 years of post‑Ph.D or 2-5 years of experience after MS. research experience in academia or industry.
• Strong hands‑on experience with molecular biology techniques, including:
  • PCR
  • Molecular cloning
  • DNA construct design
  • Plasmid preparation
  • DNA sequencing analysis
• Experience with mammalian cell culture.
• Experience with FlowJo and/or flow cytometry data analysis.
• Experience analyzing experimental data using GraphPad Prism and appropriate statistical methods.
• Excellent organizational and documentation skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively in a team environment.

Preferred

• Experience with lentiviral vector production and characterization.
• Experience with plasmid optimization and vector engineering.
• Experience with sequence analysis software (SnapGene, Benchling, Geneious, etc.).
• Familiarity with cell and gene therapy research.
• Basic experience with CRISPR/Cas gene editing is a plus.
• Fluent in Mandarin Chinese (written and verbal).

Location

Cellinfinity Bio, Inc.
New Haven, Connecticut (On‑site)

Disclaimer

This position is a 100% onsite position. Cellinfinity Bio is an equal opportunity employer.