Research Associate I/II, Bioprocess Development

Flagship Pioneering; Somerville (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

Flagship Pioneering in Cambridge, MA, is seeking a Research Associate I/II to support the development and optimization of microbial fermentation processes for recombinant protein production. This hands-on role involves bench-scale bioreactors, aseptic techniques, and cross-functional collaboration to build a scalable fermentation platform.

You will operate and monitor fermentation systems, prepare media and feeds, perform analyses, and help maintain rigorous laboratory operations in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in microbial fermentation, microbiology, bioprocess development, or related laboratory environments.
• Experience operating bench-scale bioreactors for microbial fermentation workflows, with strong understanding of aseptic technique and microbial culture handling.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills.
• Ability to independently execute experiments and troubleshoot routine process issues.

Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor, and troubleshoot shake flask and bench-scale microbial fermentation systems, executing batch and fed-batch experiments in support of process development objectives.
• Prepare media, inoculum, and feed solutions for fermentation runs.
• Set up, sterilize, calibrate, and maintain fermentation reactors.
• Perform routine analytical work, including OD measurements and metabolite analysis.
• Contribute to safe, rigorous laboratory operations.
• Collaborate closely with strain engineering, downstream, and analytical teams to support integrated process development as the platform scales.

Job description

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Flagship Pioneering is a platform innovation company that invents and builds companies that change the world. We bring together the greatest scientific minds with entrepreneurial company builders and assemble the capital to allow them to take courageous leaps. Those big leaps in human health, sustainability and beyond exponentially accelerate scientific progress in areas ranging from disease detection and treatment and nature-positive agriculture to novel applications of AI that are driving the creation of new technologies. What sets Flagship apart is our ability to advance science and technology by uniting innovation, company creation, and capital investment under one roof in a way that is largely without precedent. Our scientific founders, entrepreneurial leaders, and professional capital managers are each aligned around an institutionalized process that enables us to innovate and transform for the benefit of people and planet. Many of the companies 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.

THE ROLE

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Associate I/II to support the development and optimization of microbial fermentation processes for recombinant protein production. We're looking for someone who is excited to help build and scale a fermentation platform from the ground up. Reporting to the Senior Scientist I, Bioprocess Development, this individual will play a key role in executing and scaling microbial fermentation workflows in a fast-paced startup environment. The ideal candidate is highly hands-on, technically rigorous, and comfortable operating independently in a dynamic research setting. This role requires strong practical experience with bench-scale bioreactors, microbial culture techniques, fermentation analytics, and laboratory operations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operate, monitor, and troubleshoot shake flask and bench-scale microbial fermentation systems, executing batch and fed-batch experiments in support of process development objectives.
• Prepare media, inoculum, and feed solutions for fermentation runs.
• Set up, sterilize, calibrate, and maintain fermentation reactors.
• Perform routine analytical work, including OD measurements and metabolite analysis.
• Contribute to safe, rigorous laboratory operations.
• Collaborate closely with strain engineering, downstream, and analytical teams to support integrated process development as the platform scales.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• Hands-on experience in microbial fermentation, microbiology, bioprocess development, or related laboratory environments
• Experience in operating and maintaining bench-scale bioreactors for microbial fermentation workflows, with strong understanding of aseptic technique and microbial culture handling
• Strong organizational and documentation skills
• Ability to independently execute experiments and troubleshoot routine process issues

Preferred Experience

• Experience with fed-batch fermentation processes
• Familiarity with HPLC-based analysis of sugars, organic acids, or fermentation metabolites
• Experience with recombinant protein expression systems
• Experience supporting process optimization or scale-up activities
• Familiarity with fermentation data analysis and process monitoring tools

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.

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. 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 background and interest in Flagship.

The salary range for this role is $65,000 - $93,500. Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. FL112 currently offers healthcare coverage, annual incentive program, retirement benefits and a broad range of other benefits. Compensation and benefits information is based on FL112's good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.