Serif Biomedicines: CMC mRNA Development Co-Op

Fspco Op012325; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Serif Biomedicines, Inc. seeks a co‑op to join the Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) team. You will perform hands‑on benchwork with enzymatic mRNA synthesis, purification, and analytical characterization in a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial setting.

You will work alongside scientists and engineers, contributing to ongoing preclinical projects while gaining exposure to GMP‑like processes and data documentation. This is a full‑time, in‑office co‑op with a January 2027 start.

Qualifications

• Current student enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s degree in chemical engineering, biology, biotechnology, or biochemistry.
• Familiarity with enzymatic reactions, such as in vitro transcription (IVT).
• Familiarity with HPLC and FPLC purification and instrumentation.
• Knowledge of TFF and instrumentation.
• Familiarity with nucleic acid analytics, including gel and capillary electrophoresis, and data interpretation.
• Knowledge of aseptic/RNase‑free handling and operation.
• Excellent time and project management.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Synthesise and purify mRNA products for preclinical studies.
• Optimize and scale up enzymatic reactions for mRNA synthesis.
• Optimize and scale up purification workflow for nucleic acids using chromatography, filtration, and enzymatic steps to remove byproducts and endotoxin.
• Perform high‑throughput screens to optimize RNA generation via IVT and automated purification instrumentation.
• Operate and maintain lab instruments including FPLC (AKTA systems), TFF systems, and biosafety cabinets.
• Characterize mRNA drug substance using analytical techniques such as fragment analysis, UV spectroscopy, gel electrophoresis, and endotoxin measurement.
• Maintain an electronic laboratory notebook and documentation.
• Present findings at team and cross‑functional meetings.

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Chemical Engineering, Biology, Biotechnology, or Biochemistry

Tools

HPLC

FPLC

TFF instrumentation

Nucleic acid analytics

Job description

This position is open exclusively to current Northeastern University Co‑Op students. Work Period: January 2027 to June 2027. This is a full - time, 40 hours per week position with 5 days in office.

About Serif Biomedicines, Inc.

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

About Flagship Pioneering

Serif Biomedicines was founded by Flagship Pioneering's venture creation engine 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 more than $90 billion in aggregate value. Many of the company’s 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 Co‑Op Program

Welcome to Flagship Pioneering Co‑Op Program for the cohort dreaming big and taking courageous leaps. You'll join fellow peers across our ecosystem of companies and learning firsthand how we build first‑in‑category companies. You’ll have access to enrichment sessions, a dedicated professional development track, and a mentor that help guide you toward your next step. By the end, you will carry on a meaningful project outcome, a genuine network, and a front‑row view of how Flagship pioneer new ventures that change the world.

The Role

We are seeking an enthusiastic Co‑Op to join the Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) team. We are looking for an individual who enjoys hands‑on laboratory benchwork and brings scientific rigor and intellectual curiosity to their role. This individual will have the opportunity to work in a dynamic, fast‑paced, entrepreneurial environment as part of a highly collaborative, rapidly growing team.

Key Responsibilities

• Synthesize and purify mRNA products for preclinical studies.
• Optimize and scale up enzymatic reactions for mRNA synthesis.
• Optimize and scale up purification workflow for nucleic acids using chromatography, filtration, and enzymatic reactions to remove byproducts and/or endotoxin.
• Perform high‑throughput screens to optimize RNA generation through in vitro transcription (IVT) and automated purification instrumentation.
• Operate and maintain lab instruments, including Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography (FPLC) (e.g. AKTA systems), Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF) systems, and biosafety cabinets (BSCs).
• Characterize mRNA drug substance using analytical techniques, such as fragment analysis, UV spectroscopy, gel electrophoresis, and endotoxin measurement.
• Maintain an electronic laboratory notebook and miscellaneous documentation.
• Present findings at team meetings or cross‑functional meetings.

Qualifications

• Current student enrolled in a master’s or bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, Biology, Biotechnology, or Biochemistry.
• Familiarity with enzymatic reactions, such as in vitro transcription (IVT)
• Familiarity with HPLC and FPLC purification and instrumentation
• Knowledge of TFF and instrumentation.
• Familiarity with nucleic acid analytics, including running gel and capillary electrophoresis, and interpreting data.
• Knowledge of aseptic/RNase‑free handling and operation's
• Excellent time and project management.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office programs.

What We Offer

• Build alongside founders. You’ll work inside the same hypothesis‑driven process Flagship uses to conceive and launch first‑in‑category companies.
• This can be the start of a longer story. Strong co‑ops are considered for future opportunities across Flagship and its portfolio companies, not just for this one role.
• Work alongside people who left the safe path. Your colleagues are scientists, engineers, and operators who chose to build something new rather than join something already established.
• Take on real ownership. You're contributing to ventures that are still being defined. Your work can shape real decisions, not just support them.
• Be paid like the contributor you are. Compensation reflects the real work you take on.

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.

The pay range for this role is $25 - $35 per hour. This role is a short‑term engagement that is not eligible for health and welfare benefits. Retirement benefits may be available after completing a set number of hours. Compensation and benefits information is based on Serif Biomedicines’s good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.

Privacy Notice for Applicants: When you apply for a role at Flagship Pioneering, we collect and use personal information you provide (such as your name, contact details, work history, and application materials) to evaluate your application, communicate with you, and comply with legal obligations. Your application data is processed through Greenhouse, our applicant tracking system, and may also be reviewed using AI‑assisted screening tools. We do not sell your personal information. California residents have rights under the CCPA/CPRA including to know, delete, and opt out of the sharing of their personal information. If you are located in the EU or UK, we process your data under GDPR and you have rights to access, rectify, and erase your data. To exercise your rights or for questions, contact [e-mail].