Scientist​/Senior Scientist, Immunology

Full-time hybrid role based in Boston, MA

At Hot Spot 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 Hot Spot, 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:

Hot Spot 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.

• 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.

• PhD in Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or a related…