principal scientist, immunology.

Location: Beijing, China

Job Scope

We are seeking a highly accomplished and motivated Principal Scientist with a PhD in Immunology to lead and drive immunology-focused research, assay development, and immune cell characterization initiatives within our R&D team. The ideal candidate brings rigorous academic immunology training combined with a minimum of 6 years of progressive professional working experience in biotech/pharmaceutical industry, with specialized expertise in flow cytometry-based immune cell profiling, primary immune cell function and pharmacodynamic (PD) assay development, validation, and implementation. This role will be pivotal in supporting drug discovery, preclinical and clinical development programs, delivering high-quality immunological data to advance therapeutic candidates from early-stage research to clinical development.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and troubleshoot complex immunological experiments, analyze large-scale flow cytometry and PD assay data using specialized software and interpret results to generate data-driven scientific conclusions and actionable recommendations.
• Apply advanced flow cytometry techniques to perform comprehensive profiling, phenotyping, and functional analysis of various primary immune cell subsets (including T cells, B cells, NK cells, monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, granulocytes, and other innate/adaptive immune cell populations) from preclinical animal models, human peripheral blood, and tissues samples.
• Provide technical mentorship and scientific training to junior scientists, research associates, and lab technicians on flow cytometry operations, immune cell isolation/handling, and PD assay methodologies; establish and standardize SOPs for immunology assays to ensure data accuracy, reproducibility, and lab efficiency.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with drug discovery, preclinical development, clinical research, analytical development, and regulatory teams to align immunology strategies with overall program milestones, and support study design for preclinical and clinical trials.
• Prepare detailed scientific reports, study protocols, and regulatory documentation; present research findings to internal leadership, cross-functional teams, and external partners; contribute to scientific publications, conference presentations, and patent applications. 

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Educational Background: PhD degree in Immunology, Molecular Immunology, Cellular Immunology, or a closely related biomedical science discipline, with formal specialized training in immunology.
• Industry Experience: A minimum of 6 years of full-time professional working experience in biotech, pharmaceutical, or related life sciences industry, with proven track record in immunology research and assay development.
• Technical Expertise:

1. Advanced proficiency in flow cytometry: multi-color panel design, instrument operation for both conventional and spectral flow cytometer, data acquisition, high-dimensional immune cell phenotyping, and functional immune cell analysis for diverse primary immune cell populations.
2. Immune cell profiling using a range of other techniques including ELISpot, ELISA, MSD, Western Blot and PCR.
3. Extensive experience in all stages of pharmacodynamic (PD) assay development, optimization, validation, and data analysis for preclinical and clinical research.
4. Hands-on experience in primary lymphoid and myeloid immune cell subset isolation/purification using positive and negative selection strategies, culture, stimulation, and functional characterization from human and animal samples.
5. Design, develop, validate and implement complicated co-culture suppression and killing assays in 2D or 3D in vitro cellular model systems using primary immune cells and immortal cell lines under sterile conditions.
6. Development, evaluation and implementation of new technologies as required by the projects.
7. Proven aseptic technique, attention to detail and acts independently to determine methods and procedures on new or special assignments.

• Scientific Knowledge: Deep and up-to-date scientific knowledge of cellular and molecular immunology, immune system regulation, immune cell function, and therapeutic modulation of immune responses.
• Data & Analytical Skills: Strong quantitative data analysis skills, experience with flow cytometry analysis software and statistical analysis tools; ability to interpret complex immunological data and drive scientific conclusions.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly present scientific data, write technical reports, and collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams in English.
• Problem-Solving: Strong troubleshooting skills for experimental and assay-related challenges, with a proactive and results-driven approach to research.
• Desire to work in a fast-paced, quickly changing environment, showing agility/flexibility to meet deadlines and goals and with a can-do attitude.
• A passion for science and demonstrated enthusiasm and drive to achieve company goals; adaptability and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

• Experience supporting immuno-oncology, autoimmune disease, or inflammatory disease therapeutic development programs.
• Experience with clinical sample analysis and clinical PD biomarker development.
• Publication record in peer-reviewed immunology or pharmaceutical research journals.
• Experience leading cross-functional R&D teams and managing external research collaborations.
• Hands on lab-based experience in Incucyte live cell analysis, confocal microscopy and FACS sorting.
• Proficiency in maintaining accurate and up-to-date experimental records in ELN and LIMS system in daily lab operations and data reporting.
• Establish strong working relationships with CRO partners in order to collaborate and foster information exchange and to enable efficient execution of work packages.
• Experience working with antibody-based therapeutics, and knowledge of antibody mediated functions