---
title: 'Research Associate (Contractor), Viral Vector Engineering and Production at Obsidian Therapeutics'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/research-associate-contractor-viral-vector-engineering-and-production-obsidian-9ca0m445r120'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-24'
---

# Research Associate (Contractor), Viral Vector Engineering and Production at Obsidian Therapeutics

- **Company:** Obsidian Therapeutics
- **Location:** Cambridge, MA
- **Compensation:** $35–$43/hr
- **Posted:** 2026-10-23
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-24
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/obsidiantherapeutics/jobs/6232685004

## Job description

## About Us…

Obsidian Therapeutics is pioneering engineered cell and gene therapies to deliver transformative outcomes for patients. Obsidian’s programs apply our cytoDRiVE® technology in Cell and Gene therapy products to control expression of proteins for enhanced therapeutic efficacy and safety. Obsidian’s lead program is currently in clinical development for the treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer.

We’re proud of our diverse talented team and committed to cultivating an environment of inclusion where each person feels a strong sense of belonging and is supported to continuously learn and contribute their best work. Our Research team is based in the heart of Cambridge, MA, and Technical Operations team is based in our purpose built facility in Bedford, MA.   Obsidianites enjoy a highly collaborative culture, competitive salary and benefits, and potential for ownership through stock options.

Our Opportunity......

We are looking for a highly motivated Research Associate (Contractor), with a strong background in viral vector manufacturing and titering. As a part of our Cell Therapy Research Team, you’ll support viral vector engineering with responsibility for the generation of retroviral and lentiviral vector production, related titration, and transduction of T cells.

As a member of our Cell Therapy Research Team, you will be a vital part of a highly collaborative group working to unlock the promise of precision cell therapy for patients. This is a opportunity to be a valuable contributor in a well-funded clinical company with field-leading advisors, best-in-class partners, and an experienced team currently advancing our lead program is amsoki-cel (OBX-115), a novel engineered tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) cell therapy that uses our proprietary cytoDRiVE® platform.

As a lab-based role; work is on-site starting in our Cambridge, MA location until Q2, 2027 when the role will relocate to Bedford, MA where our office and lab space is expanding to become our single MA location

You Will....

Core responsibilities

- Support designing experiments, meticulously execute bench work, analyze data, and troubleshoot assays.
- Maintain cell banks of packaging cells for retrovirus production.
- Help the team in preparing small and large scale of retrovirus-based vectors.
- Support the Cell Therapy research team in isolating, banking, and characterizing primary tumor and immune cells. Methods include flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, cell preparation for gene sequencing and expression analysis, TIL expansion, cell engineering, and functional analysis.
- Track and replenish critical cell stocks.
- Present results at internal meetings.

You Bring...

Core Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Virology, Immunology, Biotechnology, Cell Biology, Biomedical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
- 1+ years of hands-on laboratory experience in an academic, biotechnology, or pharmaceutical research environment.
- Skilled in maintaining mammalian cell cultures, including both adherent and suspension cell lines.
- Scientifically rigorous in executing experiments and record keeping.
- Excellent planning, coordination, and time management skills
- Excellent oral, written, and visual communication skills. You listen to understand and communicate effectively with colleagues, and leadership.
- Ability to build and maintain productive relationships across the organization

Bonus Qualifications:

- Hands-on experience producing viral vectors and evaluating both functional and physical titers using established assay methods.
- Hands-on experience performing multicolor flow cytometry (three or more colors), including sample preparation, instrument operation, and data analysis.

Obsidian is committed to equitable and transparent pay practices.

The anticipated hourly rate range for this role is below. The actual hourly rate offered will be determined based on a combination of factors, including applicable qualifications, level of education, the depth of experience, unique skills, geographic location, internal equity, and/or business needs. The actual hourly rate offered will be in accordance with federal, state, and/or local wage requirements for the role’s location.

Our external partners serve as the employer-of-record and offer essential medical, dental, and vision coverage; basic time off programs; and traditional retirement plans.

Anticipated Hourly Rate Range $35—$43 USD

Obsidian is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, cultivating a welcoming and diverse environment. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status or any other applicable legally protected characteristics.

## About Obsidian Therapeutics

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Obsidian Therapeutics is a biotechnology company pioneering engineered tumor‑infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapies for solid tumors using its proprietary cytoDRiVE® platform to regulate protein expression with an FDA‑approved small molecule.
- **Entity Type**: Private (later‑stage; most recent Series C closed April 2024; entered a merger agreement with Galera Therapeutics and a concurrent $350M private placement announced in 2025)
- **Headquarters**: Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States (with a laboratory facility in Bedford, MA)
- **Founded**: 2015
- **Founders**: Not publicly disclosed on the company website; the leadership team includes a CEO, CTO, CMO, CFO, and Chief People Officer.

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Biotechnology (cell and gene therapy, oncology)
- **Target customers**: B2B / healthcare – primarily developing therapies for patients with solid tumors; partners with academic centers, clinical sites, and biopharma companies.
- **Mission / purpose statement**: “Pioneering engineered cell and gene therapies to deliver transformative outcomes for patients.” The company emphasizes urgency for patients and a commitment to safer, more effective TIL therapies.

## Products & Services
- **cytoDRiVE® Platform**: A proprietary technology that uses drug‑responsive domains (DRDs) to control the function of therapeutic proteins inside cells using an FDA‑approved small‑molecule ligand. The platform can be applied to membrane‑bound, intracellular, or secreted proteins.
- **OBX‑115 (cytoTIL15)**: Lead clinical‑stage engineered TIL cell therapy that expresses membrane‑bound IL‑15 (mbIL15) to enhance TIL persistence and activity without the need for co‑administered IL‑2. Currently in Phase 1 trials for metastatic melanoma and non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). (ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT05470283, NCT06060613)
- **Pipeline**: Early‑stage research exploring OBX‑115 in combination with PD‑1 inhibitors, as well as additional undisclosed cytoTIL programs for other solid tumor indications.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not disclosed (privately held).
- **Key Metric – Total Funding**: $325 M in known equity rounds (Series A: $49.5 M led by Google Ventures, 2017; Series B: $115 M led by The Column Group, 2021; Series C: $160.5 M led by Wellington Management, 2024). Additionally, a $350 M private placement was announced in connection with a merger agreement with Galera Therapeutics (the transaction is ongoing).
- **Notable Investors / Partners**: The Column Group, Wellington Management, Google Ventures (GV), and 14 other investors across rounds.
- **Growth Signals**: Lead program OBX‑115 has completed enrollment in a single‑center melanoma study and is now enrolling in a multi‑center Phase 1 study (Agni‑01) for melanoma and NSCLC. The company acquired Galera Therapeutics and secured significant additional capital via a concurrent private placement, indicating strong investor confidence. Headcount as of mid‑2025 is ~92 employees, with a recent slight decline (-11.7% YoY) typical of a focused R‑stage biotech. Active job postings increased 100% month‑over‑month, suggesting renewed hiring.

## Competitive Advantages
- **cytoDRiVE® Platform**: Provides tunable, on‑demand control of therapeutic proteins using an approved small molecule – a unique differentiator that can improve safety and efficacy in cell therapy.
- **Focus on TIL therapy**: Targets the challenging solid tumor space where conventional TIL therapy is limited by IL‑2 toxicity. OBX‑115 removes the need for high‑dose IL‑2, potentially broadening patient access.
- **Proprietary DRD library**: A growing, internally discovered set of drug‑responsive domains that enable rapid optimization for different cell types and protein classes.
- **Well‑funded and experienced team**: Backed by top‑tier investors and led by executives with deep cell therapy and oncology expertise.

## Strategic Focus
- **Clinical execution**: Advancing OBX‑115 through Phase 1 trials in melanoma and NSCLC, with plans to expand indications and combinations.
- **Platform expansion**: Applying cytoDRiVE® to other cell and gene therapy modalities (e.g., CAR‑T, TCR, gene editing) through partnerships and internal programs.
- **Manufacturing and scaling**: Building internal capabilities in process development, quality control, and supply chain to support commercial‑scale production.
- **Talent growth**: Active hiring across R&D, quality, manufacturing, and IT (8 open positions at time of data pull), with a focus on hybrid roles in Cambridge and Bedford, MA.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: The company describes itself as collaborative, curious, and authentic, with a strong sense of urgency to deliver therapies to patients. Emphasis on “no silos or hierarchies” and mutual respect.
- **Work model**: Hybrid (Cambridge, MA and Bedford, MA). Some roles may offer remote flexibility; most job postings specify hybrid.
- **Notable benefits**:
  - Employee stock options, 401(k) with HSA options.
  - Flexible time off (unlimited PTO policy).
  - 6 weeks fully paid bonding leave for new parents, plus fully paid medical maternity leave.
  - Generous health/dental coverage with low out‑of‑pocket costs and an annual HSA contribution.
  - Perks: gym, massage therapy, and meditation reimbursements; company‑sponsored lunches and social events.
  - Professional development: mentorship, training programs, tuition reimbursement, and career matrices for planning growth.
- **Engineering / science culture**: Strong cross‑functional collaboration between research, process development, quality, and clinical teams. The company values diversity and inclusion and reports gender pay equity.

## Sources
1. [obsidiantx.com](https://obsidiantx.com/) – Company overview, platform, pipeline, and career page
2. [obsidiantx.com/about-us](https://obsidiantx.com/about-us/) – About Us, management team, vision
3. [obsidiantx.com/join-our-team](https://obsidiantx.com/join-our-team/) – Culture, benefits, open positions
4. [linkedin.com/company/obsidian-therapeutics](https://www.linkedin.com/company/obsidian-therapeutics) – Employee count, funding, headcount trends, recent departures
5. [clinicaltrials.gov](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05470283) – OBX-115 melanoma study
6. [clinicaltrials.gov](https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT06060613) – OBX-115 Agni-01 study

## Other roles at Obsidian Therapeutics

- [Research Associate (Contractor), Cell Therapy](https://feeny.ai/job/research-associate-contractor-cell-therapy-obsidian-therapeutics-cambridge-r20zjdh1a4h5) — Cambridge, MA
- [Senior Engineer, MSAT](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-engineer-msat-obsidian-therapeutics-bedford-vjak18zyh2q9) — Bedford, MA
- [Associate Director/Director, CMC Digital Business Partner](https://feeny.ai/job/associate-director-director-cmc-digital-business-partner-obsidian-therapeutics-4cdv9q5wppt8) — Bedford, MA
- [Associate Director, Process Data Analytics](https://feeny.ai/job/associate-director-process-data-analytics-obsidian-therapeutics-bedford-3b2cq0sbv19z) — Bedford, MA
- [Clinical Trial Coordinator](https://feeny.ai/job/clinical-trial-coordinator-obsidian-therapeutics-bedford-vvsrfj5z90xd) — Bedford, MA
- [Scientist/Senior Scientist, Viral Vector Analytical Development](https://feeny.ai/job/scientist-senior-scientist-viral-vector-analytical-development-obsidian-vq7apj9r469n) — Bedford, MA
- [Associate Director/Director, G&A Digital Business Partner](https://feeny.ai/job/associate-director-director-g-a-digital-business-partner-obsidian-therapeutics-4fz5det3zr6d) — Cambridge, MA
- [General Interest Application - Obsidian Talent Community](https://feeny.ai/job/general-interest-application-obsidian-talent-community-obsidian-therapeutics-r3k8fnqhwtmp) — Cambridge, MA