Senior Scientist, Tumor Model Development

Job Title: Senior Scientist I/II, Tumor Model Development (Immuno-Oncology)
Location: Watertown, MA (onsite)

The Role

Digital Biology is seeking an exceptional scientist with deep expertise in in vitro tumor model development to join our discovery team. In this role, you will lead the design and implementation of physiologically relevant tumor models to evaluate biologic therapeutics (T cell activators), characterize mechanisms of action, and support pharmacodynamic research of hits emerging from Digital Biology’s platform. As an expert in cell culture, tumor microenvironment modeling, and immuno-oncology, you will work closely with the protein engineering team to evaluate tissue-level functions of therapeutic candidates. The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in designing, executing, and interpreting preclinical assays that evaluate the efficacy, safety, and mechanism of action (MoA) of antibody therapeutics in oncology. This is a unique opportunity to build a powerful and differentiated development workflow at the intersection of immuno-oncology and Digital Biology’s proprietary multimodal sequencing platform.

The ideal candidate will be excited to join a growing and highly collaborative biotech team at the forefront of measurement-driven drug discovery. As a key scientific contributor, you will have the chance to drive innovation, mentor junior scientists, evolve within our team, and shape the development of impactful new therapies.

Requirements

• Develop advanced in vitro tumor models (e.g., co-cultures, 3D spheroids) to evaluate biologic therapeutics in an immuno-oncology context.
• Lead the design, development, and validation of in vitro assays (e.g., cell and organoid-based functional assays, cytokine release assays) and in vivo models (e.g., xenograft and humanized mouse models) to assess therapeutic antibody efficacy and safety.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with protein engineers and translational scientists to refine tumor-targeting biologics and immuno-modulatory strategies.
• Ensure the reproducibility, reliability, and scalability of preclinical assays, optimizing protocols to support both exploratory and GLP-compliant studies.
• Work closely with the Platform team to integrate histology, multiplexed protein imaging, and spatial sequencing to provide deep insights into tumor biology and therapeutic response from in vitro and in vivo studies.
• Ensure that all generated data is accurately documented, well-organized, and recorded in a timely manner, while effectively communicating findings and insights internally.
• Prepare comprehensive reports and present findings to internal teams and external stakeholders, driving data-informed decision-making.
• Manage and supervise scientists and research associates, fostering scientific excellence and effective team coordination

Who you are

You are a highly skilled scientist with a passion for building translational models and assays to advance therapeutic discovery in immuno-oncology. You thrive in a fast-paced, cross-disciplinary environment and enjoy tackling challenging biological questions with cutting-edge technologies.

Qualifications

• PhD in Cancer Biology, Immunology, Pharmacology, Cell Biology, or a related field, with 5 years of relevant industry preclinical assay development experience, particularly for therapeutic antibodies.
• Proven track record of executing complex cell culture and tumor model development, including immune co-cultures, 3D models, and organotypic systems.
• Background in immuno-oncology, with experience analyzing T cell activation, exhaustion, and tumor-immune interactions.
• Strong technical proficiency in histology, immunohistochemistry (IHC), multiplexed imaging, and flow cytometry.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
• Exceptionally self-motivated and scientifically engaged.
• Excited to work in a collaborative biotech environment and mentor junior team members.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience applying spatial sequencing technologies or spatial-omics data.
• Hands-on experience with NGS-based workflows and spatial transcriptomics is a plus.
• Expertise in CRISPR-based functional genomics, Lentiviral transduction, and other genetic modifications.
• Background in computational biology or experience collaborating closely with data scientists.

At Digital Biology, we believe that diverse perspectives drive scientific breakthroughs. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive, innovative team environment.

Company Benefits: Health, vision, life, dental insurance and 401K plan.

If you don't meet all of the requirements listed here, we still encourage you to apply or reach out to us. No job description is perfect – we may find an even more suitable opportunity that is a better fit for you.