Scientist – Cell Biology and Immunology Cell Biology and Immunology Berkeley, CA

Scientist – Cell Biology & Immunology

Prellis Biologics is a dynamic biotechnology company developing next-generation technologies to harness the full potential of the human immune system for therapeutic discovery and development. Our platform combines advanced in vitro immune systems, lymph node organoids, and innovative screening technologies to accelerate the discovery of therapeutic antibodies.

We are seeking a highly motivated and hands-on Scientist – Cell Biology & Immunology to join our interdisciplinary research team. The successful candidate will play an important role in developing and optimizing our in vitro immune system platform, including lymph node organoid-based technologies, and in developing functional assays to support antibody discovery.

This position is ideal for a scientist with strong expertise in B and T cell biology, primary immune-cell culture, flow cytometry, and cell-based assay development who enjoys working in a fast-paced, highly collaborative startup environment. The Scientist will have significant responsibility for experimental design, execution, data analysis, troubleshooting, and development of new experimental approaches.

Key Responsibilities

Experimental Design and Execution

• Design, execute, optimize, and analyze complex cell-based experiments to address key research objectives.
• Develop and implement innovative in vitro immune-cell culture and stimulation strategies.
• Work hands-on in the laboratory, typically spending approximately 60–80% of time conducting experiments.
• Troubleshoot experimental challenges and continuously improve experimental protocols and workflows.

Immune Cell Biology

• Isolate, culture, expand, and characterize primary human immune cells using appropriate aseptic techniques.
• Work with B cells, T cells, antigen-presenting cells, and other relevant immune-cell populations.
• Contribute to the development and optimization of in vitro immune-system platforms.
• Investigate immune-cell activation, proliferation, differentiation, cell-cell interactions, and ligand-receptor signaling.

Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting

• Design and execute multiparameter flow cytometry experiments for immune-cell profiling and functional characterization.
• Develop flow cytometry panels, perform staining and acquisition, and analyze complex datasets.
• Perform fluorescence-activated cell sorting for antigen-specific and functionally defined immune-cell populations.
• Utilize cell separation and enrichment approaches, including beads-based methods, where appropriate.

Immune Functional Assay Development

• Develop, optimize, and execute cell-based functional assays for antibody and TCR discovery.
• Develop assays to evaluate antigen-specific B- and T-cell responses.
• Develop and optimize ELISA and other protein-based assays, as well as cell-based and functional screening approaches.
• Contribute to assay development for challenging therapeutic targets, including membrane proteins and other complex antigens.

Antibody Discovery

• Contribute to antibody discovery and characterization programs using in vitro immune-system technologies.
• Support the identification and characterization of antigen-specific B cells, antibody-secreting cells, and functional antibodies.
• Work closely with scientists in antibody engineering, protein engineering, bioinformatics, and other disciplines to advance therapeutic candidates.

Data Analysis and Scientific Communication

• Analyze, interpret, and present experimental results at internal project meetings and research reviews.
• Maintain accurate, detailed, and traceable experimental records.
• Use tools such as Flow Jo and Graph Pad Prism for analysis and visualization of experimental data.
• Communicate scientific findings clearly and contribute to project planning and experimental strategy.
• Prepare reports, protocols, and other scientific documentation.

Collaboration and Laboratory Operations

• Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams to achieve project goals and share technical expertise.
• Support development, refinement, and implementation of laboratory protocols and SOPs.
• Maintain a high standard of experimental rigor, laboratory organization, and documentation.
• Comply with established…