Serif Biomedicines: Protein Engineering Co-Op

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

Job summary

Serif Biomedicines, Inc. invites MS students to join their protein engineering team for a co-op from January 2027 to June 2027. The role combines computational design and wet-lab validation to engineer novel proteins, with a focus on integrating ML models and experimental data.

The position is full-time, 40 hours per week, with five days in the office. You will build and test protein candidates, analyzing results and iterating protocols in collaboration with experienced scientists, while gaining

Qualifications

• Pursuing a MS in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Bioengineering, Biochemistry, or a related field.
• Hands-on wet-lab experience: PCR, molecular cloning, flow cytometry.
• Basic proficiency in Python or R and comfort with command-line environments.
• Experience with DNA sequence analysis.
• Familiarity with ML architectures for protein engineering (e.g., AlphaFold, RFDiffusion) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Apply state-of-the-art ML models of protein sequence and structure to engineer novel proteins.
• Construct DNA libraries and transform them into yeast for functional analysis with FACS and flow cytometry; coordinate biophysical characterization.
• Analyze and clearly communicate experimental results; iterate protocols in collaboration with scientists.

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

As a member of our protein engineering team, you’ll work at the intersection of computational protein design and wet-lab experimental validation to help design, test, and refine novel proteins.

We’re Looking For:

• Highly motivated and enthusiastic co-op students eager to dive into fast-paced, impactful science.
• Curious problem solvers who learn new techniques quickly and think creatively.
• Individuals with a strong foundation at the bench who are keen to apply computational approaches to accelerate research.

What You’ll Do:

• Apply state-of-the-art ML models of protein sequence and structure to engineer novel proteins with desired functions.
• Construct DNA libraries and transform them into yeast for functional analysis with FACS and flow cytometry. Coordinate biophysical characterization of protein binders with third-party vendors.
• Analyze and clearly communicate experimental results; iterate protocols in collaboration with experienced scientists.

Qualifications:

• Pursuing a MS in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Bioengineering, Biochemistry, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience with core wet-lab techniques: PCR, molecular cloning, flow cytometry
• Basic proficiency in a programming language used for data analysis (e.g., Python, R), and comfort working in command-line environments.Experience with DNA sequence analysis.
• Familiarity with ML architectures for protein engineering and common models (e.g., AlphaFold,RFDiffusion) a plus.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and clear written/verbal communication.

Why Join Us:

• Be part of an inspiring mission to develop therapeutic solutions for autoimmune and cancer patients.
• Collaborate with a tight-knit, multidisciplinary team that values mentorship and scientific rigor.
• Build a diverse toolkit spanning ML- and -physics-based in silico protein design, wet-lab protein characterization, and complex data analysis.

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.