Scientist – Immunology & Functional Assay Development, Toronto

KisoJi Biotech is advancing next-generation antibody therapeutics through the integration of proprietary transgenic heavy chain-only antibody (HCAb) platforms, AI-guided discovery, functional screening technologies, and high-throughput single-cell screening systems.

We are currently seeking a highly motivated Scientist – Immunology & Functional Assay Development to join our Assay Development (AD) team and support the advancement of immuno-oncology projects.

This role will focus on the design, optimization, and execution of complex immune-cell functional assays to evaluate antibody therapeutic candidates and mechanisms of action. The successful candidate will contribute scientifically and technically to the development of translational in vitro assays that support discovery-stage decision-making and candidate selection.

This is a hands-on laboratory position requiring strong expertise in immunology, immune cell biology, and functional assay development within a fast-paced biotech environment.

Position: Senior Research Associate

Site: Toronto, Ontario

Department: Assay Development

Responsibilities

The Scientist position entails working independently and collaboratively under the direction of the department head to:

• Design, develop, optimize, and execute immune cell-based functional assays supporting antibody therapeutic discovery programs
• Lead assay development activities for immuno-oncology programs
• Develop and optimize assays including:
• Conditional T cell activation assays
• T cell-mediated cytotoxicity assays
• ADCP (Antibody-Dependent Cellular Phagocytosis)
• Macrophage phagocytosis assays
• Cytotoxicity and immune effector function assays
• Reporter-based functional assays
• Co-culture and tumor cell killing models
• Work with primary immune cells and immune cell lines including:
• T cells
• PBMCs
• THP-1 cells
• Macrophages
• NK cells
• Tumor cell lines
• Support mechanism-of-action studies and translational characterization of antibody candidates
• Analyze, interpret, and present experimental data to cross-functional project teams
• Troubleshoot assays and improve workflow robustness, reproducibility, and throughput
• Contribute scientifically to experimental strategy, assay design, and project planning discussions
• Maintain accurate experimental documentation and contribute to SOP generation and laboratory best practices
• Collaborate closely with teams across antibody discovery, molecular biology, protein sciences, in vivo pharmacology, and computational biology
• Stay current with emerging technologies and scientific literature relevant to immunology and therapeutic antibody development

Essential Qualifications

· Ph.D. in Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, or a related field with 2–5 years of industry experience, OR

· M.Sc. with 7+ years of relevant industry experience

· Strong hands-on experience developing and executing immune-cell functional assays

· Experience working with:

o Primary immune cells

o T cell activation systems

o Co-culture assays

o Flow cytometry

o Cytotoxicity assays

o Cell-based functional assays

· Experience in immuno-oncology, antibody therapeutics, or immune effector mechanism characterization

· Strong understanding of immune signaling pathways and immune cell biology

· Experience with assay troubleshooting, optimization, and data interpretation

· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

· Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail

· Ability to independently manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment

· Strong written and verbal communication skills

· Legally authorized to work in Canada

Assets

The following experience would be considered highly desirable:

• Experience with bispecific antibodies or T cell engager therapeutics
• Experience with macrophage biology and phagocytosis assays
• Experience with high-throughput or automated assay systems
• Experience with reporter gene assays (e.g. luciferase, NFAT, CRE systems)
• Experience with flow cytometry panel design and analysis
• Experience with imaging-based functional assays
• Experience with Fc-effector function assays

What We Offer

Benefits Package Includes

• Health and Dental Insurance Plans
• Paid Vacation and Holidays

Incentive Programs Include

• Training & Development Programs / Courses
• Annual Performance Reviews with Yearly Bonuses
• Opportunity to work with cutting-edge antibody discovery technologies
• Exposure to advanced AI-guided therapeutic discovery platforms

Salary

The salary range for this position is $95,000–120,000 CAD, depending on experience, scientific expertise, and qualifications. Compensation will take into account internal equity, relevant technical experience, and educational background.

KisoJi Biotech is a collaborative and science-driven organization where innovation, teamwork, and scientific rigor are highly valued. Together, we believe we can help shape the future of antibody therapeutics and contribute meaningfully to the development of transformative medicines.

Thank you for your interest. Please send your cover letter addressing your fit for this position along with your CV to:

Please indicate the position, department, and location you are applying for. We will only consider applications submitted to our contact email address. Candidates should be prepared to provide references and a detailed skills inventory upon request.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.