Research Associate: Powder Formulation & Process Dev

Flagship Pioneering; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 56,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

Flagship Pioneering in Cambridge, MA, is seeking a Research Associate to support formulation and product development focused on dried powder formulations using lyophilization and spray drying. You will work with process development partners to create robust, scalable processes in a fast-moving, early-stage environment.

The role emphasizes experimental rigor, data interpretation, and documentation, with cross-disciplinary collaboration and a focus on creating long-term formulation workflows

Qualifications

• BS or MS degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, materials science, biotechnology, or related discipline.
• RA I: BS with up to 2 years of relevant industry experience
• RA II: BS with 2–4 years or MS with 0–2 years of relevant industry experience
• Grounding in physical chemistry or materials science principles relevant to dried systems, including glass transition behavior, crystallinity, moisture interactions, and excipient effects strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with analytical and characterization techniques for powders and solid-state materials (e.g., DSC, TGA, particle sizing, microscopy, bulk property measurements) is preferred.
• Proven ability to work independently in a dynamic, early-stage research environment is preferred.
• Experience designing and executing sound experiments with the ability to interpret results and use data to guide experimental iteration.
• Strong scientific documentation and communication skills.
• Demonstrated curiosity, adaptability, and comfort working across disciplines, with an interest in translating early scientific concepts into robust, scalable technologies.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute mixing protocols for solid and liquid mixtures, optimizing for uniformity, stability, viscosity, temperature and pH during the mixing process;
• Execute protocols for production of dried formulations by spray drying, freeze drying and milling operations. Observe and conduct in-process checks to ensure robustness of formulated material.
• Characterize dried powder products using appropriate analytical and physical methods (e.g., particle size and morphology, thermal analysis, moisture content, bulk properties) to inform formulation and process decisions;
• Support process development and scale-awareness by documenting critical parameters, identifying sources of variability, and generating data relevant to future scale-up, tech transfer, or external partnerships;
• Maintain clear, rigorous experimental documentation and generate high-quality summaries, figures, and datasets suitable for internal decision-making;
• Contribute to the establishment of long-term formulation workflows, best practices, and standards that support platform development in a small, highly collaborative team;
• Design and conduct stability studies of packaged formulations by timely stability pulls and analyses of stability samples in accordance with internal standards for shelf-life verification;
• Immediate and fluid communication of results, roadblocks, errors, ideas and breakthroughs to team members to ensure fast-paced innovation.

Skills

Independent work in dynamic env

Data interpretation

Scientific documentation

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Education

BS or MS degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, materials science, biotechnology, or related discipline

RA I: BS with up to 2 years of relevant industry experience

RA II: BS with 2-4 years or MS with 0–2 years of relevant industry experience

Grounding in physical chemistry or materials science principles relevant to dried systems

Familiarity with analytical and characterization techniques for powders and solid-state materials (DSC, TGA, particle sizing, microscopy, bulk property measurements)

Tools

DSC

TGA

Particle sizing

Microscopy

Bulk property measurements

Job description

Flagship Pioneering in Cambridge, MA, is seeking a Research Associate to support formulation and product development focused on dried powder formulations using lyophilization and spray drying. You will work with process development partners to create robust, scalable processes in a fast-moving, early-stage environment.

The role emphasizes experimental rigor, data interpretation, and documentation, with cross-disciplinary collaboration and a focus on creating long-term formulation workflows