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 using our proprietary gene insertion platform.
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, execute, and iterate on in vitro and in vivo studies to evaluate therapeutic candidates, with a focus on speed, rigor, and decision-making impact
- Support development of immune-based therapeutic approaches, including evaluation of delivery, expression, and functional activity in relevant systems
- Perform hands-on primary immune cell culture, including isolation, activation, expansion, and genetic modification of T cells and other immune populations
- Build, optimize, and troubleshoot in vitro functional assays (e.g., tumor cytotoxicity, cytokine profiling, Incucyte-based assays), with an emphasis on scalability and reproducibility
- Independently plan and execute in vivo studies, including work with humanized mouse models, to generate translationally relevant insights
- Lead flow cytometry efforts, including panel design, experimental execution, and high-dimensional data analysis
- Contribute to establishing and improving internal workflows, assays, and best practices as the company grows
- Analyze complex datasets and translate results into clear, actionable insights that influence program direction
- Maintain high-quality, real-time documentation in ELNs with a strong emphasis on reproducibility and clarity
- Work closely with cross-functional partners across platform, discovery, and translational teams to advance pipeline programs
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
Base Salary Range: $90,000 – $130,000/annually