Scientist – Immunology & Functional Assay Development

Kiso Ji Biotech is advancing next-generation antibody therapeutics through the integration of proprietary transgenic heavy chain-only antibody (HCAb) platforms, AI-guided discovery, functional screening technologies, and high-throughput single-cell screening systems.

We are currently seeking a highly motivated Scientist – Immunology & Functional Assay Development to join our Assay Development (AD) team and support the advancement of immuno-oncology projects.

This role will focus on the design, optimization, and execution of complex immune-cell functional assays to evaluate antibody therapeutic candidates and mechanisms of action. The successful candidate will contribute scientifically and technically to the development of translational in vitro assays that support discovery-stage decision‑making and candidate selection.

This is a hands‑on laboratory position requiring strong expertise in immunology, immune cell biology, and functional assay development within a fast‑paced biotech environment.

Position
Senior Research Associate

Department
Assay Development

Responsibilities
The Scientist position entails working independently and collaboratively under the direction of the department head to:

Design, develop, optimize, and execute immune cell‑based functional assays supporting antibody therapeutic discovery programs

Lead assay development activities for immuno‑oncology programs

Develop and optimize assays including:

Conditional T cell activation assays

T cell‑mediated cytotoxicity assays

ADCP (Antibody‑Dependent Cellular Phagocytosis)

Macrophage phagocytosis assays

Cytotoxicity and immune effector function assays

Reporter‑based functional assays

Co‑culture and tumor cell killing models

Work with primary immune cells and immune cell lines including:

T cells

THP‑1 cells

Macrophages

NK cells

Tumor cell lines

Support mechanism‑of‑action studies and translational characterization of antibody candidates

Analyze, interpret, and present experimental data to cross‑functional project teams

Troubleshoot assays and improve workflow robustness, reproducibility, and throughput

Contribute scientifically to experimental strategy, assay design, and project planning discussions

Maintain accurate experimental documentation and contribute to SOP generation and laboratory best practices

Collaborate closely with teams across antibody discovery, molecular biology, protein sciences, in vivo pharmacology, and computational biology

Stay current with emerging technologies and scientific literature relevant to immunology and therapeutic antibody development

Essential Qualifications

Ph.D. in Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, or a related field with 2–5 years of industry experience, OR

M.Sc. with 7+ years of relevant industry experience

Strong hands‑on experience developing and executing immune‑cell functional assays

Experience working with:

Primary immune cells

T cell activation systems

Flow cytometry

Cytotoxicity assays

Cell‑based functional assays

Experience in immuno‑oncology, antibody therapeutics, or immune effector mechanism characterization

Strong understanding of immune signaling pathways and immune cell biology

Experience with assay troubleshooting, optimization, and data interpretation

Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills

Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail

Ability to independently manage multiple projects in a fast‑paced environment

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Legally authorized to work in Canada

Assets
The following experience would be considered highly desirable:

Experience with bispecific antibodies or T cell engager therapeutics

Experience with macrophage biology and phagocytosis assays

Experience with high‑throughput or automated assay systems

Experience with reporter gene assays (e.g. luciferase, NFAT, CRE systems)

Experience with flow cytometry panel design and analysis

Experience with imaging‑based functional assays

Experience with Fc‑effector function assays

What We Offer
Benefits Package Includes

Health and Dental Insurance Plans

Paid Vacation and Holidays

Incentive Programs Include

Training & Development Programs / Courses

Annual Performance Reviews with Yearly Bonuses

Opportunity to work with cutting‑edge antibody discovery technologies

Exposure to advanced AI‑guided therapeutic discovery platforms

The salary range for this position is  $95,000–120,000 CAD , depending on experience, scientific expertise, and qualifications. Compensation will take into account internal equity, relevant technical experience, and educational background.

Kiso Ji Biotech is a collaborative and science‑driven organization where innovation, teamwork, and scientific rigor are highly valued. Together, we believe we can help shape the future of antibody therapeutics and contribute meaningfully to the development of transformative medicines.

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