FL120 | Cambridge, MA (Senior) Scientist, Optical Technologies

Flagship Pioneering; Cambridge, Northern (MA, KY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Annual incentive program

Retirement benefits

Other benefits

Job summary

Flagship Pioneering in Cambridge, MA seeks a (Senior) Scientist in Optical Technologies to design and test innovative optical and vibrational spectroscopy methods for observing biological systems. You will lead hands-on experiments across instrumentation, biology, and external collaborations in a fast-moving, founding-stage venture.

The role emphasizes practical, lab-based discovery and shaping the scientific roadmap with cross-disciplinary teams in a dynamic startup environment.

Qualifications

• PhD (or equivalent) in physics, biophysics, chemistry, engineering, bioengineering, or a related discipline.
• Hands-on experience developing/applying optical microscopy and vibrational spectroscopy (Raman microscopy, IR spectroscopy, or related methods).
• Strong experimental background with ability to independently execute and troubleshoot complex experiments.
• Solid understanding of the physics and engineering of optical instrumentation.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments using advanced optical and vibrational spectroscopy to characterize biological systems.
• Own a portfolio of internal/external experiments, coordinating work across CROs, core facilities, collaborators, and internal teams.
• Develop, refine, and document workflows, protocols, and SOPs to improve measurement quality and reproducibility.
• Troubleshoot instrumentation, identify sources of variability, and improve data quality.
• Stay current across relevant fields to identify promising new experiments and applications.
• Contribute to the scientific strategy and technical roadmap of a founding-stage venture.

Skills

Optical microscopy

Vibrational spectroscopy

Raman microscopy

IR spectroscopy

Experimental troubleshooting

Python

MATLAB

Instrument automation

External collaborations

Startup/translational research

Education

PhD in physics/biophysics/chemistry/engineering/bioengineering

Job description

(Senior) Scientist, Optical Technologies

Cambridge, MA USA

Help Expand What We Can See in Biology

At Flagship Pioneering, we build companies around bold scientific ideas. Flagship Labs is our innovation foundry where teams originate, test, and scale breakthrough technologies that can become new bioplatforms.

At Flagship Labs 120, we’re assembling a multidisciplinary team to invent, build, and rapidly test innovative technologies for observing biological systems. We are looking for a scientist with deep hands-on experience in optics and vibrational spectroscopy to join the team and help turn promising experimental opportunities into practical capabilities for the platform.

This is a zero-to-one role for an engineering-minded scientist who enjoys turning new ideas into practical experiments. We are looking for someone who favors fast, practical, hands-on solutions and will help shape the scientific direction and experimental foundation of a new venture through work across instrumentation, biology, and external collaborations.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments using advanced optical and vibrational spectroscopy measurement techniques to characterize biological systems.
• Own a portfolio of internal and external experiments, coordinating work across CROs, university core facilities, academic collaborators, and internal teams.
• Develop, refine, and document experimental workflows, protocols, and SOPs to improve measurement quality, reproducibility, and operational efficiency.
• Troubleshoot instrumentation, identify sources of experimental variability, and improve data quality and reproducibility.
• Stay current across relevant fields to identify promising new experiments and applications.
• Contribute to the scientific strategy and technical roadmap of a founding-stage venture.

Qualifications

Required

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in physics, biophysics, chemistry, engineering, bioengineering, or a related discipline.
• Deep hands-on experience developing and applying optical microscopy and vibrational spectroscopy techniques such as Raman microscopy, IR spectroscopy, or related methods.
• Strong experimental background and demonstrated ability to independently execute and troubleshoot complex experiments.
• Solid understanding of the physics and engineering of optical instrumentation.
• Strong scientific judgment and the ability to distinguish meaningful biological signals from technical artifacts.

Preferred

• Experience developing or optimizing advanced Raman spectroscopy (e.g. CARS, SRS) or IR spectroscopy (e.g. photothermal IR), or related techniques.
• Experience working with biological samples such as cells or tissue. Familiarity with cell culture or live cell assays is a plus.
• Familiarity with molecular or cell biology sufficient to understand literature and adopt new experimental protocols.
• Programming or scripting experience (Python, MATLAB, or similar) for instrument automation and experimental data analysis.
• Experience working with external collaborators, university core facilities, or CROs.
• Previous experience in startup, translational, or highly interdisciplinary research environments.

Why Join FL120?

This is an opportunity to join a founding scientific team exploring an entirely new experimental platform. Success will require curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to cross traditional disciplinary boundaries. You'll play an important role in exploring new ideas, establishing new experimental capabilities, and helping shape the scientific direction of a company from its earliest days.

As the company grows, this role will help shape the evolution of our platform and broader technical strategy.

We welcome applications from experienced scientists as well as exceptional postdoctoral researchers or advanced graduate students interested in either full-time or part-time opportunities.

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 atwww.flagshippioneering.com .

At Flagship, we accept impossible missions to enable bigger leaps. Ourcore 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 strengthswithout fulfilling every qualification. If you have some of the experience listed above but not all, please apply anyway. We are dedicated to building diverse and inclusive teams and look forward to learning more about your backgroundand interest in Flagship.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Flagship Pioneering and its affiliated Flagship Lab companies (collectively, “FSP”) do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to FSP or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Flagship Pioneering’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of FSP, and FSP will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.

The salary range for this role is $100,000 - $180,000. Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. FL120 currently offers healthcare coverage, annual incentive program, retirement benefits and a broad range of other benefits. Compensation and benefits information is based on FL120'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 or one of its portfolio companies, 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].

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