About Senda Biosciences
Senda Biosciences, Inc. is committed to bringing life-changing treatments to patients by harnessing millennia of evolution to program human cells both within and to the cell. Senda’s proprietary platform is the first to leverage a universal chemical addressing code of natural nanoparticles that enable cross-kingdom intercellular communication. This platform unlocks comprehensive programming of medicines for the first time, allowing Senda to develop a new class of SendRNA™ medicines focused initially on powering new frontiers in immunology mRNA-based therapies, with future applications employing other information molecules, including siRNA, gene editors, proteins, and peptides. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Senda was founded by Flagship Pioneering.
The Position:
We are seeking an innovative Scientist I/II to join the Translational Biology group. The successful candidate will be a key member of a matrixed team of immunologists, in vivo biologists, analytical and formulation scientists, and computational biologists working to establish foundational data sets to build Senda’s pipeline and develop novel medicine for patients. Candidates will be responsible for the design, execution, and analysis of multi-color flow cytometry experiments for cell phenotyping. The candidate must have a deep understanding of flow cytometry concepts including panel design and optimization, compensation/spectral unmixing, and data analysis. Technical knowledge in the setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting of flow cytometers is required. The successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced results-oriented environment.
Responsibilities:
- Plan and perform multicolor flow cytometry-based laboratory experiments to drive Senda’s platform and program developmental pipelines including but not limited to panel design, sample preparation, data acquisition and analysis.
- Interpret, troubleshoot, and communicate complex data to the team and the broader organization.
- Process cell culture and ex vivo tissue samples for flow cytometry: tissue isolation through staining of single cell suspensions.
- Advise teammates in the design and execution of flow cytometry assays.
- Maintain standardized SOPs for flow cytometry workflows and provide hands-on comprehensive training to team.
- Flow cytometer maintenance, QC, vendor service, and troubleshooting
- Maintain a detailed and well-organized electronic lab notebook.
- Work within a matrixed cross-functional team to achieve shared project and organizational goals.
Necessary Qualifications:
- PhD in biology/immunology or related scientific discipline, BS/MS with equivalent experience and expertise in an academic or industry setting.
- Proficiency in building large multi-color panels (>20 colors) for cell lines and primary cells derived from multiple species.
- Expert in the operation of flow cytometers including (gate adjustment, voltage setting, compensation and unmixing) and specialized analysis software. Hands-on experience with the Cytek Aurora and FlowJo is preferred.
- Able to independently analyze flow cytometry data with an understanding of how cell dynamics, size, and activation status affect cell positioning and the establishment of a gating strategy.
- Talent for troubleshooting flow cytometer performance
- Ability to critically evaluate literature and internal results for methods optimization (cell staining, antibody combinations) and complex data interpretation.
- Excellent documentation, organizational and communication skills.
- Able to work independently.
Bonus Experience:
- Working with RNA and/or lipid nanoparticles
- Comfortable with and willing to perform basic in vivo skills such as mouse handling and necropsy.
- Proficiency in cell culture techniques and cell-based assays, such as T cell co-culture and cell killing assays.
- Ability to perform plate-based assays ELISA, MSD, Luminex, and/or ELISPOT
- Execution of molecular biology techniques such as PCR, qRT-PCR, and mammalian cloning
Senda Biosciences is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Senda does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
