Contract Research Associate – Virology

Candel Therapeutics • Contract • Needham, MA, US • 2m ago

Contract Research Associate – Virology (contract 3-4 months)

Why Work for Us?At Candel, our people drive our success. We value diversity, collaboration, and bold thinking in a supportive, mission-driven environment. We are a high performing team, showing up for each other and stay focused on making a difference for patients and families. Our leadership is transparent and empowering, and our culture is built on trust, flexibility, and accountability, encouraging ownership and innovation every day.Our Science: Advancing Cancer ImmunotherapiesCandel is a clinical-stage biopharma company developing off-the-shelf, multimodal immunotherapies that stimulate personalized, systemic anti-tumor responses. Our platforms use genetically modified adenovirus and HSV constructs. With positive Phase 3 results for our lead candidate, it’s an exciting time to join us and help bring transformative cancer treatments to patients. Learn more: www.candeltx.comPosition Summary:We are seeking a highly motivated and collaborative Research Associate with a strong foundation in virology to support the development of next-generation HSV-1 viral immunotherapy candidates. This individual will contribute to the enLIGHTEN™ Discovery Platform through hands-on experimental work, including viral vector testing, mammalian cell culture, and virology-specific assays. The ideal candidate will bring a passion for innovation and a desire to work in a fast-paced, cross-functional research environment.Key Responsibilities:

Support the design, production, and testing of novel HSV-based viral vectors.
Conduct classical virology techniques such as virus production, purification (e.g., ultracentrifugation), and titering.
Execute virology-specific assays including plaque assays, TCID50, viral titration, and viral genome quantification using qPCR.
Contribute to viral vector engineering and optimization of workflows.
Maintain mammalian cell culture operations, including cryopreservation, routine culture, and cell banking.
Perform in vitro to evaluate viral vector transduction and biological activity.
Document experiments in electronic laboratory notebooks, analyze data, and prepare reports for internal review.
Contribute to a scientific culture that values creativity, rigor, and innovation.

Qualifications:Education:

MS in Virology, Biotechnology, or related field with 1–3 years of industry experience, or
BS with 3–5 years of relevant experience.

Experience and Skills:

Hands-on experience with virus production, purification, and quantification techniques (e.g., plaque assays, TCID50, qPCR) required.
Solid foundation in mammalian cell culture and aseptic technique.
Familiarity with viral vector design and characterization, particularly HSV-based systems.
Strong analytical and organizational skills with attention to detail.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, GraphPad Prism, and SnapGene (preferred).