Scientist - Mammalian Cell Culture

Scientist - Mammalian Cell Culture

Location: South San Francisco, CA

Onsite Flexibility: Onsite

Contract Details

• Position Type: Contract
• Contract Duration: 12 months (with potential to extend depending on business need)
• Pay Rate: $38.00–$42.00 / Hour (USD)
• Work Authorization: Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Job Summary

We are seeking a motivated and collaborative contract scientist to join an R&D imaging and image analysis team supporting research programs across multiple therapeutic and functional areas. Our group operates ahigh-content imaging core and partners with scientists throughout R&D to develop and execute imaging-based assays and enable quantitative cellular research.

The successful candidate will be a strong experimentalist with hands-on experience inmammalian cell culture, cellular assay development, and sample preparation. Previous microscopy and image analysis experience is important, but extensive experience with high-content imaging or specialized imaging techniques is not required. We are particularly interested in candidates who are comfortable at the bench, enjoy troubleshooting biological assays, and are eager to learn new imaging and quantitative analysis approaches.

The scientist will contribute to both core imaging activities and collaborative research projects. Current research within the group includes quantitative imaging of immune synapse formation and other cell-cell interactions relevant to the development and characterization of T-cell engagers.

Our imaging core includes two automated Opera Phenix high-content imaging systems integrated with robotic plate handling, incubators, and scheduling software. Training on these systems and associated workflows will be provided.

Above all, we are looking for a strong experimental scientist who enjoys working at the bench, approaches experiments thoughtfully, and is curious about imaging and quantitative biology. The ideal candidate does not need to arrive as an expert in high-content imaging. We value someone who can generate high-quality biological samples and assays, troubleshoot experiments independently, collaborate effectively with other scientists, and is enthusiastic about developing deeper expertise in imaging and image analysis.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain mammalian cell cultures and prepare cells and samples for imaging experiments.
• Develop, optimize, and execute image-based cellular assays, including co-culture and cell-cell interaction assays.
• Perform fluorescence microscopy and automated imaging experiments.
• Support imaging studies conducted in collaboration with scientists across R&D, from experimental design and sample preparation through image acquisition and analysis.
• Develop and apply quantitative image analysis workflows using tools such as Fiji/ImageJ, Imaris, high-content analysis software, or other computational approaches.
• Analyze, interpret, document, and communicate experimental results.
• Contribute to research focused on immune synapses, cell-cell contacts, and other imaging-based approaches relevant to T-cell engager research.
• Assist with operation and routine maintenance of automated high-content imaging instrumentation, including Opera Phenix systems and associated automation.
• Troubleshoot imaging, assay, and sample-preparation issues and work with team members to identify practical solutions.
• Help maintain robust and reproducible imaging workflows, protocols, and documentation.
• Support and, with experience, help train scientists using imaging instrumentation and analysis tools.
• Work collaboratively with imaging scientists, biologists, and project teams across different areas of R&D.
• Learn and adopt new microscopy, automation, assay-development, and image-analysis technologies as needed.

Required Skills

• Strong mammalian cell culture and experimental skills — hands-on experience culturing mammalian cells and performing cell-based experiments, including excellent sterile technique, attention to experimental quality and reproducibility, and the ability to troubleshoot cell-based assays.
• Cell-based assay development and sample preparation — experience developing, optimizing, or executing cellular assays, including preparation of samples for microscopy or other quantitative readouts; understanding of how experimental variables including cell density, timing, treatments, staining, controls, and sample handling affect assay performance and data quality.
• Microscopy and quantitative image analysis experience — hands-on experience with fluorescence microscopy and at least one image analysis platform or approach, such as Fiji/ImageJ, Imaris, CellProfiler, commercial imaging software, or custom computational workflows.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with primary cells, immune cells, co-culture assays, or cell-cell interaction assays.
• Experience with high-content imaging platforms such as the Opera Phenix.
• Experience with automated laboratory workflows, robotic plate handling, or screening environments.
• Familiarity with Fiji/ImageJ, Imaris, CellProfiler, Harmony, or related image analysis tools.
• Programming experience in Python, R, MATLAB, or similar environments.
• Interest in quantitative imaging and willingness to learn new imaging and analysis technologies.

Education Requirements

• Doctorate degree; OR Master's degree and 2 years of experience; OR Bachelor's degree and 4 years of experience.
• Degree in cell biology, immunology, bioengineering, biochemistry, biomedical sciences, or a related discipline, with relevant laboratory experience (preferred).

Required Experience

• Doctorate degree; OR Master's degree and 2 years of relevant experience; OR Bachelor's degree and 4 years of relevant experience.
• Strong hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture and cell-based assays.
• Experience with fluorescence microscopy and quantitative image analysis.
• Experience with immunofluorescence staining, live-cell imaging, or other microscopy sample-preparation techniques.

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Experience working with primary cells, immune cells, or co-culture systems.
• Experience with high-content imaging platforms such as the Opera Phenix.
• Experience with automated laboratory workflows, robotic plate handling, or screening environments.

Benefits

• Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance Plans
• 401k Retirement Fund

Work Environment / Physical Requirements

• This is a 100% onsite role at the South San Francisco site; no hybrid or remote work.
• Five days per week onsite; no work from home.
• Manager prefers candidates local to the South San Francisco site.

Important Notes

• Interview process: phone screening followed by in-person interview.

About GTT

GTT is a minority-owned staffing firm and a subsidiary of Chenega Corporation, a Native American-owned company in Alaska. We highly value diverse and inclusive workplaces and support Fortune 500 organizations across banking, financial services, technology, life sciences, biotech, utilities, and retail sectors throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Job Number: 26-17497

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