Principal Scientist mRNA Design & Optimization (Billerica MA)

EMD Serono, Inc.; Billerica (MA); On-site; USD 131,000 - 217,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Retirement contributions

Other perquisites

Job summary

EMD Serono, Inc. is seeking a Principal Scientist to lead the design, engineering, and optimization of therapeutic mRNAs for protein replacement, immunomodulation, vaccines, and gene editing applications.

The role focuses on end-to-end mRNA construct design and regulatory element optimization to maximize expression and translational efficiency. You will establish IVT workflows, evaluate integrity and quality attributes, and collaborate with LNP delivery teams to advance mRNA cargo.

Qualifications

• PhD in RNA Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or related field.
• 5+ years of industry or academic experience in RNA/mRNA therapeutics.
• Hands-on expertise in mRNA design and sequence optimization.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary projects independently and communicate scientifically.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and optimization of therapeutic mRNA constructs across UTRs, coding sequences, and regulatory elements.
• Develop IVT workflows for mRNA synthesis and quality assessment.
• Collaborate across teams to advance mRNA cargo for LNP platform.
• Present data in cross-functional meetings.
• Drive projects focusing on immuno-oncology and immunology applications.

Skills

RNA design

Sequence optimization

Multidisciplinary leadership

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in RNA Biology or related field

Tools

In vitro transcription

mRNA synthesis

Purification techniques

RNA characterization

Job description

Work Your Magic with us! Start your next chapter and join EMD Serono.

Ready to explore, break barriers, and discover more? We know you’ve got big plans – so do we! Our colleagues across the globe love innovating with science and technology to enrich people’s lives with our solutions in Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics. Together, we dream big and are passionate about caring for our rich mix of people, customers, patients, and planet. That's why we are always looking for curious minds that see themselves imagining the unimaginable with us.

United As One for Patients, our purpose in Healthcare is to help create, improve and prolong lives. We develop medicines, intelligent devices and innovative technologies in therapeutic areas such as Oncology, Neurology and Fertility. Our teams work together across 6 continents with passion and relentless curiosity in order to help patients at every stage of life. Joining our Healthcare team is becoming part of a diverse, inclusive and flexible working culture, presenting great opportunities for personal development and career advancement across the globe.

Your Role

This Principal Scientist role will join the Oligonucleotide Therapeutics team to lead the design, engineering and optimization of therapeutic mRNAs for protein replacement, immunomodulation, vaccines and gene editing applications

Design and optimize mRNA constructs end-to-end: 5’ UTR, coding sequence, 3’ UTR, poly(A) tail and cap structure – including UTR library generation and high-throughput screening, codon optimization, miRNA and RNA‑binding‑protein site engineering, GC content and motif design, secondary structure/folding optimization and control of innate immune activation – to maximize protein expression, stability and translational efficiency

Engineer tissue- and cell-type-specific expression through regulatory element design, base and nucleoside modification strategies (e.g. N1-methylpseudouridine), and cap/poly(A) optimization

Establish and run in vitro transcription (IVT) for mRNA synthesis, purification and characterization workflows, and design experiments assessing integrity, purity, stability, translation, biological activity and critical quality attributes (capping efficiency, dsRNA, residual impurities)

Lead internal projects advancing mRNA cargo for our LNP platform, evaluating how sequence, length, charge, structure and chemical modifications influence encapsulation, biodistribution and translation, with a focus on immuno-oncology and immunology disease applications, including CAR and other engineered protein payloads

Present data and study updates in cross-functional project meetings

Collaborate internally with colleagues within the extended organization to build on strengths and generate effective partnerships

Strategic Impact

Shape the next generation of Immunology and Oncology therapeutics by advancing mRNA design, and deliver internal pipeline projects on time and at high quality

Build and own the mRNA design and optimization capability (design rules, screening platforms, data-driven sequence optimization) feeding LNP discovery and maturation workflows

Act as Subject Matter Expert for mRNA design, optimization and manufacture of research‑grade material, independently defining scientific strategy for the area

Cooperation Internally Externally

Work closely with the LNP and RNA delivery team to optimize mRNA–delivery system interactions, and with biology, formulation and analytical teams supporting US and EU innovation projects

Work closely with broader DDTech organization, including NBE, ADC Tech and Discovery Pharmacology teams

• Collaborate with Healthcare Research Units for advancing internal pipeline, including CAR and protein engineering programs
• Manage CRO/CDMO partnerships for mRNA cargo sourcing and IVT scale-up

Candidate’s Profile

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in RNA Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Chemical Biology, Genetics, Biotechnology or a related discipline
• Typically 5+ years of relevant industry or academic experience in RNA/mRNA therapeutics, RNA engineering or a closely related field
• In-depth, hands‑on expertise in mRNA design and sequence optimization (UTR libraries and screening, codon optimization, miRNA/RNA‑binding protein site engineering, folding, enhancement of translation) with a strong understanding of mRNA architecture and the determinants of RNA stability and translation
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary projects independently, define scientific strategy and solve complex technical problems, with strong scientific communication, technical writing and presentation skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with tissue- and cell-specific expression optimization and modified nucleosides/base modification strategies
• Hands‑on experience with in vitro transcription, mRNA synthesis, purification (e.g. chromatography, dsRNA removal), RNA characterization (CE, HPLC, LC‑MS, capping and poly(A) analysis) and cellular protein‑expression assays
• CAR design expertise and protein engineering knowledge (construct design, expression, functional characterization)
• Experience working with LNP or other nucleic acid delivery systems and with therapeutic areas (immuno‑oncology, immunology, neuroscience)
• Highly organized, detail‑oriented, creative, results‑driven problem solver with demonstrated flexibility and collaborative working style

Work Experience

5+ years of pharmaceutical or biotech industry experience strongly preferred

Job specific Competencies & Skills

• Awareness of nucleic acid drug development, mRNA design and delivery trends in the industry
• Familiarity with computational/in silico sequence design, folding prediction and sequence‑activity data analysis
• Ability to translate therapeutic area needs into mRNA design strategies and advance internal innovation projects
• Ability to prioritize across parallel platform and pipeline projects

Location:

On-site Billerica MA

Pay Range for this position: $131,300 - $216,600

The offer range represents the anticipated low and high end of the base pay compensation for this position. The actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level of experience, education, skills, and other job‑related factors. Position may be eligible for sales or performance‑based bonuses.

For more information click here.

Benefits offered by the Company include health insurance, paid time off (PTO), retirement contributions, and other perquisites.

• Health insurance
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Retirement contributions
• Other perquisites

What we offer:

We are curious minds that come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe that this variety drives excellence and innovation, strengthening our ability to lead in science and technology. We are committed to creating access and opportunities for all to develop and grow at your own pace. Join us in building a culture of inclusion and belonging that impacts millions and empowers everyone to work their magic and champion human progress!