Scientist - LNP Formulation and Delivery

CT19, incorporated; Greater London; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

CT19 is a pioneering biotech in its early stages, focusing on cancer therapeutics at the DNA level.

This role centers on leading LNP delivery engineering across local, systemic and inhaled routes, shaping formulations for tissue-specific targeting and coordinating with biology, in vivo, and manufacturing teams.

Qualifications

• Substantial hands-on experience developing and optimising lipid nanoparticle formulations.
• Expertise in at least two of: mRNA-LNP encapsulation and delivery; tissue-targeted delivery, including SORT technology or ionisable lipid screening; inhaled or pulmonary delivery.
• Experience with microfluidic mixing and formulation scale-up.
• Practical experience evaluating delivery in cell lines and primary cells.
• A relevant scientific or engineering background. A PhD is useful but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead LNP delivery engineering across local, systemic and inhaled administration routes.
• Develop formulations for tissue-specific targeting and perform physicochemical characterisation (particle sizing, encapsulation efficiency, zeta potential).
• Collaborate with biology and in vivo teams, refine formulations, and support GMP manufacturing transfer and technology transfer with CMO/CDMO selection.

Skills

LNP formulation

mRNA-LNP encapsulation

Tissue-targeted delivery

Microfluidic mixing

Formulation scale-up

Delivery in cell lines

Education

PhD advantageous

Job description

Join as one of the first hires and play a key part in shaping formulation and delivery strategy for a biotech tackling cancer at the DNA level.

For someone with hands-on LNP expertise, this is an opportunity to influence the scientific approach while the company and its programmes are still taking shape. You’ll bring your experience into decisions about how potential therapies reach their target, with scope for your contribution and responsibilities to grow as the business develops.

Backed by Y Combinator, the company is at an early stage. You’ll join a highly motivated team working towards an ambitious therapeutic goal, with delivery engineering central to making that goal possible.

What you’ll do

You’ll lead LNP delivery engineering across local, systemic and inhaled administration routes, developing formulations for tissue-specific targeting. Your work will span microfluidic mixing, formulation optimisation and physicochemical characterisation, including particle sizing, encapsulation efficiency and zeta potential.

Working with biology colleagues, you’ll assess delivery in cell lines and primary cells using editing efficiency and reporter assays. You’ll use those findings to refine formulations before handing validated candidates to the in vivo team for animal studies.

You’ll also support formulation scale-up, CMO/CDMO selection and technology transfer for GMP manufacturing, helping connect early development with the requirements of future clinical-stage drug products.

What you’ll need

• Substantial hands-on experience developing and optimising lipid nanoparticle formulations.
• Expertise in at least two of: mRNA-LNP encapsulation and delivery; tissue-targeted delivery, including SORT technology or ionisable lipid screening; inhaled or pulmonary delivery.
• Experience with microfluidic mixing and formulation scale-up.
• Practical experience evaluating delivery in cell lines and primary cells.
• A relevant scientific or engineering background. A PhD is useful but not essential.

Experience with local or intravesical delivery, air-liquid interface cultures, aerosol delivery, or CMC and technology transfer would be useful, but is not essential.

About the company

CT19 is supporting an early-stage biotechnology company developing cancer therapeutics with the ambition of tackling the disease at the DNA level. Its platform requires delivery approaches tailored to each therapeutic indication, making formulation expertise a key part of its development strategy.