Associate Director, Molecular Cloning Technologies

Flagship Pioneering, Inc.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 161,000 - 204,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Annual incentive program

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Terrana Biosciences in Cambridge, MA seeks Associate Director of Molecular Cloning Technologies to lead cloning strategy and construct generation at scale.

You will define high-throughput workflows, advance DNA assembly, and partner across biology, sequencing, and bioinformatics to accelerate discovery and product development. This role combines science leadership with operational excellence in a growing biotech setting.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in molecular biology or related field with 10+ years of leadership experience.
• Proven leadership with hands-on lab execution in fast-paced settings.
• Deep expertise in cloning, DNA assembly, vector engineering, construct design.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute long-term cloning strategy to support research and development.
• Own cloning function and construct generation at scale with quality and cost controls.
• Develop novel cloning tech, workflows, and automation to speed constructs.
• Improve throughput, turnaround, automation, and unit economics.
• Lead high-throughput DNA assembly, vector development, and viral engineering efforts.
• Mentor scientists and collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams.

Skills

Molecular cloning

DNA assembly

Platform leadership

Laboratory automation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in Molecular Biology or related field

Tools

Laboratory automation platforms

LIMS

High-throughput workflows

Job description

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Founded through Flagship Pioneering’s venture creation engine, Terrana Biosciences is a cutting‑edge agricultural biotechnology company developing innovative RNA‑based products to address global agricultural challenges. We are committed to advancing sustainable farming solutions through precision technologies that ensure environmental safety and regulatory compliance.

THE ROLE

Terrana Biosciences is building a new generation of RNA‑based technologies to transform agriculture. We are seeking an innovative and strategic Associate Director, Molecular Cloning Technologies to lead the vision, development, and scaling of cloning and construct generation capabilities across the company.

As a scientific leader, you will define and drive cloning strategies that accelerate discovery, platform development, and product advancement. You will serve as the technical authority for molecular cloning technologies, develop novel high‑throughput workflows, and identify emerging approaches that strengthen Terrana's RNA technology platform. This role requires a highly creative scientist who thrives at the intersection of technology innovation, scientific leadership, and operational excellence.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Define and execute the long‑term cloning strategy supporting Terrana's research and platform development efforts.
• Own the cloning function and construct generation operations at Terrana, ensuring reliable, scalable, and cost‑effective delivery of high‑quality constructs supporting company pipeline activities.
• Conceive, develop, and implement novel cloning technologies, workflows, and automation solutions to enable rapid construct generation and testing.
• Drive continuous improvements in construct generation throughput, turnaround time, automation, quality, and unit economics while expanding organizational capacity.
• Lead innovation in high‑throughput DNA assembly, plasmid engineering, vector development, and viral engineering technologies.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and establish new capabilities that improve speed, scale, quality, and efficiency.
• Partner closely with Molecular Biology, Delivery, Discovery, Sequencing, and Bioinformatics teams to enable key research objectives and accelerate innovation.
• Mentor scientists and contribute to the development of technical talent and scientific culture across the organization.
• Drive external collaborations and represent Terrana's cloning capabilities with scientific partners and collaborators.
• Communicate scientific strategy, findings, and recommendations to senior leadership.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Synthetic Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Plant Biology, or a related field and 10+ years of relevant industry and/or postdoctoral experience with a demonstrated record of scientific leadership and innovation.
• Demonstrated ability to balance scientific leadership with hands‑on laboratory execution in a fast‑paced, resource‑constrained environment.
• Deep expertise in molecular cloning, DNA assembly technologies, vector engineering, and construct design.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing novel technologies or platform capabilities.
• Experience leading complex, cross‑functional scientific initiatives from concept to execution.
• Experience developing, implementing, and scaling high‑throughput cloning workflows, laboratory automation solutions, and production operations.
• Strong communication, influence, and problem‑solving skills.
• Demonstrated creativity, scientific rigor, and an entrepreneurial mindset.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in viral vector biology, host‑virus interactions, plant virology, or RNA virus engineering.
• Experience in agricultural biotechnology, plant biology, microbial engineering, or RNA‑based technologies.
• Familiarity with automated liquid handling platforms and laboratory information management systems (LIMS).
• Working knowledge of sequencing‑based construct verification and associated data analysis workflows.

Location: Cambridge, MA

ABOUT FLAGSHIP PIONEERING

Flagship Pioneering invents and builds platform companies, each with the potential for multiple products that transform human health, sustainability and beyond. Since its launch in 2000, Flagship has originated more than 100 companies. Many of these companies 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.

At Flagship, we accept impossible missions to enable bigger leaps. Our core values guide us through uncertainty and toward lasting impact.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We recognize that great candidates often bring unique strengths without fulfilling every qualification. We are dedicated to building diverse and inclusive teams and look forward to learning more about your background and interest in Flagship.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this role is $161,000 - $203,500. Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. Terrana Biosciences, Inc. currently offers healthcare coverage, annual incentive program, retirement benefits and a broad range of other benefits. Compensation and benefits information is based on Terrana Biosciences, Inc.'s good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.