Skip to main content

Search Jobs

Find your next opportunity today.

Scientist I

San Diego, CA 92111

Posted: 04/03/2026 Employment Type: Contract Industry: Research and Discovery Job Number: 12602 Pay Rate: $30.00 - $47.00 Remote Friendly: Onsite

Job Description

Our client is a leading biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes medicines to treat patients with serious or life-threatening medical conditions. They are among the world's leading biotech companies, with multiple products on the market and a promising development pipeline.

Overview: 

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Contract Wet Lab Scientist to join our Discovery Biology team. This role is central to a high-priority binder screening campaign, where you will be responsible for executing the bench-level assays required to identify and validate novel therapeutic candidates for T-cell-based therapies. The successful candidate will serve as a core operator within our screening funnel, focusing on the transition from binder discovery to functional validation. This is a contract position (typically 6-12 months) designed for a scientist who thrives at the bench and excels in the fast-paced environment of a drug discovery campaign. The primary objective is to characterize the potency, specificity, and safety of candidate binders-such as scFvs or VHHs-within the context of engineered T-cell responses.

Key Responsibilities:
  • A significant portion of this role involves the non-viral engineering of T cells. You will be responsible for delivering genetic material (such as mRNA or transposon-based DNA systems) into primary human T cells using advanced electroporation or nucleofection platforms. Following transfection, you will monitor cell viability and recovery, ensuring high-efficiency expression of synthetic receptors before proceeding to functional testing.
  • Beyond engineering, you will execute high-throughput screening assays to assess binder affinity and functionality. This includes maintaining and expanding primary human T cells and Jurkat cell lines using impeccable aseptic techniques. You will perform multi-color flow cytometry (FACS) to evaluate surface expression levels and phenotypic markers, using software like FlowJo to analyze and interpret the resulting data.
  • Functional characterization is a critical component of this campaign. You will be expected to run a variety of assays to measure T-cell activation, including cytotoxicity assays (using IncuCyte live-cell imaging or LDH release) and cytokine profiling via ELISA, MSD, or Luminex. You will also track T-cell proliferation using dyes like CFSE. All experimental procedures, including precise protocol deviations and raw data, must be recorded meticulously in an Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) to ensure data integrity for regulatory filings.

Job Requirements

Qualifications and Requirements:
  • Candidates should possess a Bachelors or Masters degree in Immunology, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, or a related biological science. We require at least 2 years of hands-on wet lab experience, preferably within an industry setting. Mastery of aseptic technique and experience in isolating primary T cells from PBMCs is essential.
  • Expertise in flow cytometry acquisition and analysis is a non-negotiable requirement for this role. Preference will be given to candidates who have direct experience with non-viral transfection methods and those who are comfortable using liquid-handling robotics to scale screening efforts. Strong communication skills are vital, as you will be expected to present clear, data-driven updates during weekly campaign sprint meetings.

Meet Your Recruiter

Jay Hite
Recruiter, Account Manager

As a Recruiter at Compass, Jay enjoys meeting job seekers and helping them to find new and exciting opportunities. He enjoys the process of getting to know candidates and learning all about their experience and what their future goals are. Jay feels the excitement of his candidates and is passionate about helping to find a fit both culturally and professionally. 

When Jay isn’t working, he enjoys bike rides, trying out new foods, tequila tasting and watching movies.  

Apply Online

Send an email reminder to:

Share This Job:

Related Jobs:

Login to save this search and get notified of similar positions.

About San Diego, CA

Ready to embark on an exciting career journey in sunny Southern California? Explore our job opportunities in the thriving city of San Diego! Known for its stunning beaches, perfect weather, and vibrant culture, San Diego offers a unique combination of career growth and quality of life. With renowned attractions like Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, and the USS Midway Museum, along with a diverse culinary scene and a plethora of art galleries and theaters like the La Jolla Playhouse, there's always something new to experience. Whether you're a sports enthusiast looking to cheer for the Padres at Petco Park or seeking outdoor adventures at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, San Diego has something for everyone. Begin your job search today and discover why this picturesque city is the perfect place to elevate your career!