Associate Scientist, Analytical Development and Quality Control

flagshippioneeringinc; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Serif Biomedicines is seeking an Associate Scientist for the Analytical Development and Quality Control team. This role will contribute to building efficient systems for testing samples and delivering data, and will focus on method optimization to support characterization of novel nucleic acid therapeutics and LNP delivery vehicles.

The successful candidate will enjoy hands-on benchwork, mentoring teammates, and working in a dynamic, fast-paced entrepreneurial environment as part of a highly

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemistry, Biochemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology or related field; BS with 8+ years, MS with 6+ years of industry experience.
• Technical expertise in HPLC separations, LC-MS, plate-based assays (ELISA, qPCR/dPCR, residual protein).
• Hands-on experience with mRNA/DNA cargo and LNP products is highly desired.
• Ability to design, independently execute, and troubleshoot experiments.
• Strong communication & organization skills; familiarity with Benchling, MS Office, JMP, GraphPad, Empower, Chromeleon.
• Attention to detail, meticulous record keeping and personal organization.

Responsibilities

• Drive advancement of platform development and shape analytical capabilities.
• Set up, maintain, and optimize a system for efficient sample testing and data delivery.
• Ensure robustness of data by tracking historical data.
• Execute studies to optimize specificity, sensitivity, precision, accuracy, and linearity of methods.
• Analyze, troubleshoot, and clearly present experimental findings.
• Troubleshoot assay development and instrument operation issues.
• Run assays on samples from platform development studies.
• Maintain inventory of nucleic acid cargo and support development activities.
• Document lab activities in protocols and Benchling; train team members on new assays.
• Present results to internal teams and assist with general lab tasks as needed.

Skills

HPLC & LC-MS

Assays & analytical methods

Data presentation

Experiment design

Written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology or related field; BS with 8+ years or MS with 6+ years

MS/PhD in related field (preferred)

Tools

Benchling

MS Office

JMP

GraphPad

Empower

Chromeleon

Job description

Company Summary:

Serif Biomedicines is a privately held, early-stage biotechnology company developing a novel approach to gene therapy that can address currently untreatable diseases.

Serif was founded by Flagship Pioneering, an innovation enterprise that conceives, creates, resources, and grows first-in-category life sciences companies. Flagship Pioneering has created over 100 groundbreaking companies over the past twenty years, all of which are pioneering novel and proprietary biological, industrial, and engineering approaches to solve major needs in human health and sustainability. These companies include Moderna (MRNA), Syros Pharmaceuticals (SYRS), Seres Therapeutics (NASDAQ:MCRB), Generate Biomedicines, Tessera Tx, Evelo Biosciences (EVLO), and Indigo Agriculture.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled candidate for a role of Associate Scientist on the Analytical Development and Quality Control team. This candidate will contribute to: building efficient system for testing samples and delivering the data; method optimization and qualification to support characterization of novel nucleic acid therapeutics and LNP delivery vehicles. We are looking for an individual who enjoys hands-on laboratory benchwork as well as mentoring other team members and brings scientific rigor and intellectual curiosity to their role. This individual will have the opportunity to work in a dynamic and fast-paced entrepreneurial environment as part of a highly collaborative and rapidly growing team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work with the team to drive advancement of platform development and play a vital role in shaping our analytical capabilities. Step into benchwork to execute platform goals with tenacity and agility.
• Setup, maintain, and optimize a system for efficient sample testing and data delivery
• Ensure robustness of generated data through tracking historical data
• Execute experimental studies to optimize specificity, sensitivity, precision, accuracy, and/or linearity of analytical methods
• Analyze, troubleshoot, and communicate experimental findings clearly and succinctly in oral, written, and visual formats
• Troubleshoot assay development and instrument operation issues as they arise
• Run assays on samples generated during platform development studies
• Maintain inventory of nucleic acid cargo and deliver materials supporting development and formulation activities
• Document lab activities in detailed protocols and reports in an electronic lab notebook (Benchling)
• Compose and revise SOPs and train team members on new assays
• Present experimental results and updates to internal teams
• Assist with general laboratory tasks as needed to ensure efficient operations
• Work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.

Qualifications:

• Degree in Chemistry, Biochemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology or related field. B.S. degree with 8+ years, M.S. degree with 6+ years of relevant industry experience
• Technical expertise in HPLC separations, LC-MS, plate-based assays (e.g. ELISA, qPCR/dPCR, residual protein)
• Prior hands‑on experience working with mRNA/DNA cargo and LNP products is highly desired
• Ability to design, independently execute, and troubleshoot experiments
• Strong communication and organization skills; good working knowledge of Benchling, MS Office, JMP, GraphPad, Empower, Chromeleon
• Demonstrates attention to detail, meticulous record keeping and personal organization
• Ability to analyze, compile, and present experimental data in oral presentations as well as in technical reports
• Strong technical writing skills to support method SOPs, protocols, and reports

More About Flagship Pioneering

We are creative optimists and we would love for you to consider joining our team! See all our open opportunities across Flagship Pioneering's Ecosystem!

Flagship Pioneering conceives, creates, resources, and develops first-in-category life sciences companies to transform human health and sustainability. Since its launch in 2000, the firm has applied a unique hypothesis-driven innovation process to originate and foster more than 100 scientific ventures, resulting in over $34 billion in aggregate value. To date, Flagship is backed by more than $4.4 billion of aggregate capital commitments, of which over $1.9 billion has been deployed toward the founding and growth of its pioneering companies alongside more than $10 billion of follow-on investments from other institutions. The current Flagship ecosystem comprises 41 transformative companies, including: Axcella Health (NASDAQ: AXLA), Denali Therapeutics (NASDAQ: DNLI), Evelo Biosciences (NASDAQ: EVLO), Foghorn Therapeutics, Indigo Ag, Kaleido Biosciences (NASDAQ: KLDO), Moderna (NASDAQ: MRNA), Rubius Therapeutics (NASDAQ: RUBY), Sana Biotechnology, Seres Therapeutics (NASDAQ: MCRB), and Syros Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: SYRS).

We believe pioneering is best done by teams, and t