Sr. Associate Scientist/Scientist - Cell Biology & Immunology

Senior Associate Scientist/Scientist – Cell Biology & Immunology

Company Overview:

Prellis Biologics is a dynamic startup revolutionizing the field of immunology. We are developing next-generation technologies to harness the full potential of the immune system, driving innovation in therapeutic development.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a passionate and skilled immunologist to help advance our pioneering in vitro immune system platform. In this role, you will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to engineer lymph node organoids, design and execute high-impact assays, and contribute to the development of immune processes and antibody engineering strategies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, execute, and analyze complex cell-based experiments aligned with research objectives.
• Isolate, culture, and maintain both primary and established immune cell lines using aseptic techniques.
• Perform multiparameter flow cytometry and cell sorting for immune profiling and functional assays.
• Utilize innovative approaches to stimulate and characterize immune cell responses.
• Contribute scientific insight to the design and development of in vitro immune processes and antibody generation strategies.
• Maintain a hands-on presence in the lab (60–80% of the time) in a fast-paced research environment.
• Develop, optimize, and run immune assays, including ELISA and other protein quantification methods.
• Perform basic protein assays such as Western blotting and protein quantification.
• Ensure all experimental work complies with established protocols, SOPs, and regulatory standards.
• Maintain accurate, detailed, and traceable experimental records.
• Analyze, interpret, and present findings at internal meetings and project reviews.
• Support troubleshooting, protocol refinement, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align project goals and share expertise.

Qualifications:

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Immunology, Cell Biology, Biotechnology, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of laboratory experience in immunology or cell biology (industry experience preferred).
• Strong understanding of adaptive immunity, particularly B and T cell biology.
• Knowledge of cell-cell interactions and ligand-receptor signaling pathways.
• Proficiency in mammalian cell culture, immune cell isolation, and maintenance.
• Demonstrated expertise in flow cytometry, including panel design, staining, acquisition, and analysis.
• Experience in immune functional assays, ELISA, and protein analysis techniques.
• Familiarity with laboratory compliance standards, SOPs, and documentation best practices.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently or collaboratively.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills for data reporting and documentation.
• Expertise in experimental design, data interpretation, and complex immunological data analysis.
• Proficiency in primary cell isolation, culture, and in vitro assay development.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Knowledge of immune tolerance, vaccine development, or systems immunology.
• Experience in project management.
• Background in protein or sequence bioinformatics.
• Familiarity with molecular biology techniques.
• Experience implementing lab systems or high-throughput screening platforms.
• Skilled in data analysis tools such as FlowJo, and GraphPad Prism.
• Prior experience in drug discovery, vaccine and/or antibody development.

Key Attributes:

• Detail-oriented with a strong sense of responsibility for compliance and documentation.
• Proactive, collaborative, and adaptable in a dynamic research setting.
• Committed to scientific rigor and continuous professional development.

About Prellis Biologics

At Prellis we integrate human biology with machine learning. We aim to revolutionized drug discovery by harnessing the power of human immune system with tightly, integrated machine learning to develop next-generation antibody therapeutics with unparalleled speed, precision and safety. We are committed to empowering our pharmaceutical partners with access to the most promising fully human body candidate rapidly identified from the human immune repertoire, enabling them to bring life-changing treatments to patients faster than ever before. Prellis Biologics is a pre-IPO biotech located in Berkeley CA with a team-oriented, inclusive, and family-friendly culture. Our growing pipeline target high unmet patient needs across therapeutics including metabolic, inflammation, and oncology disease. Prellis has raised funding from top investors, including Celesta, Khosla Ventures, SOSV, & Avidity Partners.

What you can expect of us

As we work to develop treatments that take care of others, we also work to care for your professional and personal growth and well-being. From our competitive benefits to our collaborative culture, we’ll support your journey every step of the way.

The expected annual salary range for this role in the U.S. is posted. Actual salary will vary based on several factors including but not limited to, relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.

Application deadline

Prellis does not have an application deadline for this position; we will continue accepting applications until we receive a sufficient number or select a candidate for the position.

Prellis Bio is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

We believe diversity, equity, and inclusion need to be at the foundation of our culture. We work hard to bring together diverse teams–grounded in a wide range of expertise and life experiences–and work even harder to ensure those teams thrive in inclusive, growth-oriented environments supported by equitable company and team practices. All candidates can expect equitable treatment, respect, and fairness throughout the interview process.