Associate Scientist (Immuno Oncology)

Company

FIG (Factor Induced Gene) Therapeutics, Inc. is a preclinical stage biotech company developing the Symphony™ platform, a proprietary intratumorally-delivered gene immunotherapy that hijacks tumor cells to secrete a multimodal cocktail of immunomodulatory proteins that reverse immunosuppression and induce a robust anti-tumor immune response.

Role summary

We are hiring a hands-on In-Vivo Associate Scientist to assist the Senior Scientist and CEO in IND-enabling in vitro and in vivo studies.

In this role, you will independently design, run, document, and present assays and preclinical studies that support IND filing and early CRO/GLP programs. The position is onsite in Valhalla, NY (5 days/week with occasional weekends). You will be working closely with and directly reporting to the Senior Scientist, as well as the founder/CEO.

The candidate must have minimum an MS in a related field (i.e. immunology or oncology), PhD preferred, with a proven track record in solid tumor immunotherapy research, with preference for prostate cancer work.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. Employment offers are contingent on satisfactory completion of post-offer background checks and any legally required pre-employment screenings. Where applicable, FIG Therapeutics will comply with the Fair Chance Act, New York Clean Slate Act, and other relevant laws regarding criminal history and background checks; criminal-history inquiries or checks will be conducted only after a conditional offer as required by law. Pre-employment testing for cannabis/THC will be performed only where legally permitted or required (for example, federal/DOT or other safety-sensitive exemptions).

MUST-HAVE qualifications

• 2 years minimum experience in non-survival mouse surgeries, including murine spleen and lymph node resection
• Surgical tumor resection/necropsy with downstream tissue processing/analysis (IHC/IF and flow cytometry)
• Tumor, lymph node, and spleen digestion and multi-color flow cytometry
• Cell culture of cancer and immune cells
• Experience with cell-based functional assays (luminescence)
• Plasmid transfection and viral transduction of mammalian cells
• Development and performance of ELISA, Luminex, Western Blot, and RT-qPCR Assays
• Proven ability to independently design experiments, troubleshoot complex failures, and author SOPs and study reports used to inform CRO/IND decisions

Exceptional candidates will also have experience in:

• Establishment of 3D organoid models of solid tumor TME
• Previous track record of IND support (authoring preclinical sections) and interactions with regulatory consultants.
• Hands-on generation of CD34⁺ humanized mice
• Viral vector, self-amplifying RNA, and polycistronic DNA plasmid design

Key responsibilities

• Design, optimize, and run in-vitro potency & functional assays for multi-domain immune effectors
• Develop and run quantitative assays: RT-qPCR, ELISA, Luminex multiplex cytokine panels, and Western blot.
• Develop and run functional luminescence bioassays.
• Build, optimize and analyze multicolor flow cytometry panels (immunophenotyping, T-cell activation, exhaustion markers, Treg analysis) and perform associated data analysis (FlowJo/Cytobank/others).
• Develop and run in-vitro co-culture immune function assays: PBMC cytotoxicity, NK/ADCC, DC activation, antigen-presentation readouts.
• Assist in vivo programs: tumor implantation, intratumoral injection dosing, tumor measurements, surgical resection, necropsy, tissue processing for flow/IHC/IF and molecular readouts.
• Maintain rigorous data integrity, ELN documentation, and generation of publication-quality figures

Compensation & benefits

$20-25/hr

Competitive benefits package, including stock options

Application instructions & required verification materials

Candidates are encouraged to email Cover Letter and CV to [email protected].

Equal Employment Opportunity & Workplace Policy

FIG Therapeutics is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a workplace free of unlawful discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, domestic violence victim status, veteran or military status, disability, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.

FIG Therapeutics complies with New York State law regarding criminal history, including Article 23-A and the Clean Slate Act (automatic record sealing). We will not rely on sealed convictions and will provide any required notices and an opportunity to respond prior to taking adverse action.

FIG Therapeutics will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for applicants who require assistance to participate in the application/interview process. If you require an accommodation, please indicate such in your cover letter. Alternatively, if you prefer confidential email contact, please note that in your cover letter and we will provide an address for private correspondence. We will treat accommodation requests confidentially and will respond promptly.