Sr. Associate Scientist, Immunology

Averna Therapeutics is seeking a driven and hands-on Senior Associate Scientist to join our Immunology team and help build the next generation of therapeutics in oncology and immune-mediated diseases.

This is a high-impact role in a fast-moving startup environment, where you will take ownership of critical experiments, help shape scientific strategy, and contribute directly to advancing programs toward the clinic. We are looking for someone who thrives in ambiguity, moves quickly without sacrificing rigor, and is excited to build, optimize, and scale new assays and approaches.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and execute in vitro & in vivo studies to evaluate therapeutic candidates 
• Develop and optimize immune-based assays (cytotoxicity, cytokine profiling, Incucyte) 
• Perform primary immune cell culture (isolation, activation, expansion, genetic modification) 
• Conduct in vivo studies using humanized mouse models 
• Perform tissue collection & processing for downstream analyses 
• Lead flow cytometry (panel design, acquisition, high-dimensional analysis) 
• Analyze complex datasets and deliver actionable insights 
• Contribute to assay, workflow, and process development in a startup environment 
• Maintain ELN documentation ensuring reproducibility and data integrity 
• Collaborate cross-functionally across discovery, platform, and translational teams

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with mRNA-based therapeutics or gene insertion technologies 
• Familiarity with lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery systems, including biodistribution and cell targeting 
• Experience with in vivo imaging platforms (e.g., IVIS) 

Qualifications:

• M.S. (4-6 years) or B.S. (6-9 years) in immunology, cell biology, or a related discipline, with industry experience in biotech or drug development 
• Strong hands-on experience in immunology and cell-based assays, ideally in a fast-paced or resource-limited environment 
• Demonstrated expertise in flow cytometry and immune cell biology techniques 
• Experience working with in vivo models, preferably in oncology or autoimmune disease 
• Proven ability to independently design experiments, troubleshoot effectively, and drive projects forward 
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in GraphPad Prism, Excel, and related tools 
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex data and insights 

Work Structure:

• This is an on-site role based in Watertown, MA (office, lab, and vivarium) 
• Flexibility to support off-hours work as needed for in vivo studies and to adapt working hours for cross-functional collaboration across time zones