Scientist, Analytical Development and Quality Control

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

Job summary

Serif Biomedicines is seeking a Scientist I to join the Analytical Development and Quality Control team in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial setting. The role focuses on building efficient systems for testing samples and delivering data, with method development for nucleic acid cargo and LNP delivery vehicles.

You will mentor colleagues, contribute to platform goals, and communicate results clearly in both oral and written formats, while maintaining rigorous records and SOPs within Benchling.

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemistry, Biochemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology or related field. B.S. degree with 10+ years, M.S. degree with 8+ years, Ph.D. with 0+ years of relevant industry experience
• Technical expertise in HPLC separations and plate-based assays (e.g. ELISA, qPCR/dPCR, residual protein)
• Prior hands-on experience with HPLC methods for nucleic acid cargo and nanoparticle delivery vehicles (e.g. LNPs or liposomes) is highly desired
• Proven ability to independently design, execute, and troubleshoot complex experiments
• Experience mentoring, training, or providing technical guidance to junior staff is desired
• Strong communication and organization skills; familiarity with Benchling, MS Office, JMP, GraphPad, Empower, Chromeleon
• Demonstrates meticulous record keeping and attention to detail
• Ability to analyze and present experimental data in oral and written formats

Responsibilities

• Drive advancement of platform development and shape analytical capabilities.
• Setup, maintain, and optimize a system for sample testing and data delivery.
• Ensure robustness of generated data by tracking historical data.
• Conduct method development to support nucleic acid cargo and LNP product release, stability, and characterization.
• Lead experimental studies to optimize analytical method performance (specificity, sensitivity, precision, accuracy).
• Analyze, troubleshoot, and communicate experimental findings clearly in oral, written, and visual formats.
• Troubleshoot assay development and instrument operation issues as they arise.
• Document lab activities in Benchling and revise SOPs; train team members.
• Present experimental results and updates to internal teams.
• Work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.

Skills

HPLC

qPCR/dPCR

ELISA

Benchling

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or related field

Tools

JMP

GraphPad

Empower

Chromeleon

MS Office

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 Scientist I on the Analytical Development and Quality Control team. This candidate will contribute to: building efficient system for testing samples and delivering the data; method development, 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
• Conduct method development to support nucleic acid cargo and LNP product release, stability, and characterization
• Lead 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 10+ years, M.S. degree with 8+ years, Ph.D. with 0+ years of relevant industry experience
• Technical expertise in HPLC separations and plate-based assays (e.g. ELISA, qPCR/dPCR, residual protein)
• Prior hands-on experience working on HPLC methods applied to mRNA/DNA cargo and nanoparticle delivery vehicles (e.g. LNPs or liposomes) is highly desired
• Proven ability to independently design, execute, and troubleshoot complex experiments
• Experience mentoring, training, or providing technical guidance to junior staff is desired
• 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), Evel