Research Associate I/II, Protein Sciences

flagshippioneeringinc; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Flagship Labs 109, Inc. is seeking a Research Associate to support recombinant protein production at Fathem, focusing on expression, purification, and characterization of challenging protein targets including membrane proteins for cryo-EM-ready samples.

This hands-on role sits at the intersection of biochemistry, structural biology, and AI-driven technology development, building robust purification workflows and high-throughput assays to feed next-generation computational models.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry or related field, with 2+ years relevant experience in an academic or industry laboratory or a MS degree in Biochemistry or a related field.
• Hands‑on experience in recombinant protein expression and purification, encompassing all steps of the end-to-end workflow: transformation/transfection, and the full range of chromatographic techniques (affinity, ion‑exchange, and size‑exclusion).
• Familiarity with protein construct design and analytical techniques used to assess recombinant protein quality, including size‑exclusion chromatography, dynamic light scattering, and thermostability assays.
• Proven ability to rigorously document their work in an ELN and maintain lab organization and inventories.
• More than one year of experience with recombinant protein production and purification in an industry setting; Proficiency with ÄKTA systems and UNICORN software; Experience implementing protein characterization and binding assays (ELISA, BLI, enzymatic activity).

Responsibilities

• Support recombinant protein production, purification, and characterization.
• Develop robust purification workflows and characterization assays.
• Work at the intersection of protein biochemistry, structural biology, and AI-driven technology development.
• Build robust purification workflows and high-throughput data generation.
• Document experiments meticulously in an ELN and maintain lab inventories.

Skills

Recombinant protein expression

Protein purification

Chromatography techniques

ELN documentation

Lab organization

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry or related field

MS in Biochemistry or related field

Tools

ÄKTA systems

UNICORN software

Job description

Company overview:

Flagship Labs 109, Inc. (FL109) is a privately held, early-stage technology company pioneering the use of artificial intelligence, physics and hardware to transform the way we see biology. FL109 was conceived by Flagship Pioneering, which brings the courage, long-term vision, and resources needed to realize unreasonable results. Become part of our mission-driven team and help envision the future of science.

Role Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to support recombinant protein production at Fathem. This role will focus on the expression, purification, and characterization of challenging protein targets-including membrane proteins and other cryo-EM-ready samples-with an emphasis on high-throughput, high-quality data generation.

You will work at the intersection of protein biochemistry, structural biology, and AI-driven technology development, building robust purification workflows and characterization assays that directly feed data into next-generation computational models. This is a hands‑on, fast-moving role for someone who enjoys solving hard biochemical problems and seeing their work rapidly translate into new insights and capabilities.

Basic requirements

Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry or a related field, with a minimum of 2 years relevant experience in an academic or industry laboratory or a MS degree in Biochemistry or a related field

Hands‑on experience in recombinant protein expression and purification, encompassing all steps of the end-to-end workflow: transformation/transfection, and the full range of chromatographic techniques (affinity, ion‑exchange, and size‑exclusion).

Familiarity with protein construct design and analytical techniques used to assess recombinant protein quality, including size‑exclusion chromatography, dynamic light scattering, and thermostability assays.

Proven ability to rigorously document their work in an ELN and maintain lab organization and inventories.

Strong candidates will have:

More than one year of experience with recombinant protein production and purification in an industry setting.

Proficiency with ÄKTA systems and UNICORN software, including the design and execution of protein purification methods.

Experience implementing protein characterization and binding assays, e.g. ELISA, BLI, and/or enzymatic activity.

Proficiency across multiple protein expression systems, such as bacterial, mammalian, insect, yeast, and/or cell‑free platforms.

Experience generating proteins for high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy (cryo‑EM) applications.

Demonstrated expertise in the purification and characterization of membrane proteins.

Experience with automation in a biochemistry context, such as automated protein purification or high‑throughput assay development.

Experience with antibody or antibody fragment production and purification.

About Flagship

Flagship Pioneering is a bioplatform innovation company that invents and builds platform companies, each with the potential for multiple products that transform human health or sustainability. Since its launch in 2000, Flagship has originated and fostered more than 100 scientific ventures, resulting in generation of over 500 patents, initiation of over 50 clinical trials for novel therapeutic agents and an aggregate value of more than $90 billion. Many of the companies Flagship has founded have addressed humanity's most urgent challenges: vaccinating billions of people against COVID-19, curing intractable diseases, improving human health, preempting illness, and feeding the world by improving the resiliency and sustainability of agriculture. Flagship has been recognized twice on FORTUNE's "Change the World" list, an annual ranking of companies that have made a positive social and environmental impact through activities that are part of their core business strategies and has been twice named to Fast Company's annual list of the World's Most Innovative Companies. Learn more about Flagship at www.flagshippioneering.com .

Flagship Pioneering is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

At Flagship, we recognize there is no perfect candidate. If you have some of the experience listed above but not all, please apply anyway. Experience comes in many forms, skills are transferable, and passion goes a long way. We are dedicated to building diverse and inclusive teams and look forward to learning more about your unique background.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Flagship Pioneering and its affiliated Flagship Lab companies (collectively, "FSP") do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to FSP or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Flagship Pioneering's internal Talent Acqui