Scientist, Analytical Development and Quality Control

Flagship Pioneering, Inc.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 96,000 - 127,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Annual incentive program

Retirement benefits

Other benefits

Job summary

Serif Biomedicines is seeking a Scientist I to join the Analytical Development and Quality Control team. You will contribute to building efficient systems for testing samples and delivering data, with hands-on benchwork and mentorship in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

The role focuses on method development, optimization, and qualification for nucleic acid cargo and LNP delivery vehicles, ensuring robust data and clear communication of results.

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemistry, Biochemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology or related field.
• Experience with HPLC separations and plate-based assays (ELISA, qPCR/dPCR, residual protein).
• Hands-on experience with HPLC methods for nucleic acid cargo and nanoparticle delivery vehicles (LNPs) is highly desired.
• Proven ability to design, execute, and troubleshoot complex experiments.

Responsibilities

• Set up, maintain, and optimize a system for sample testing and data delivery.
• Ensure robustness of data through tracking historical data.
• Conduct method development for nucleic acid cargo and LNP product release, stability, and characterization.
• Lead experimental studies to optimize analytical methods for specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy.
• Analyze, troubleshoot, and communicate results clearly in oral, written, and visual formats.
• Maintain inventory of nucleic acid cargo and materials supporting development and formulation.
• Document lab activities in electronic notebooks (Benchling) and SOPs; train team members.

Skills

HPLC

ELISA

qPCR/dPCR

LNP methods

Mentoring

Benchling

Data analysis

Written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry

MS in related field

PhD (industry experience welcome)

Tools

Benchling

MS Office

JMP

GraphPad

Empower

Chromeleon

Job description

Company Summary

Serif Biomedicines is a privately held, early-stage biotechnology company developing a novel approach to gene therapy that can address currently untreatable diseases.

Company Summary

Serif was founded by Flagship Pioneering, an innovation enterprise that conceives, creates, resources, and grows first-in-category life sciences companies. Flagship Pioneering has created over 100 groundbreaking companies over the past twenty years, all of which are pioneering novel and proprietary biological, industrial, and engineering approaches to solve major needs in human health and sustainability. These companies include Moderna (MRNA), Syros Pharmaceuticals (SYRS), Seres Therapeutics (NASDAQ: MCRB), Generate Biomedicines, Tessera Tx, Evelo Biosciences (EVLO), and Indigo Agriculture.

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled candidate for a role of Scientist I on the Analytical Development and Quality Control team. This candidate will contribute to: building efficient system for testing samples and delivering the data; method development, optimization and qualification to support characterization of novel nucleic acid therapeutics and LNP delivery vehicles. We are looking for an individual who enjoys hands-on laboratory benchwork as well as mentoring other team members and brings scientific rigor and intellectual curiosity to their role. This individual will have the opportunity to work in a dynamic and fast-paced entrepreneurial environment as part of a highly collaborative and rapidly growing team.

Key Responsibilities

• Setup, maintain, and optimize a system for efficient sample testing and data delivery
• Ensure robustness of generated data through tracking historical data
• Conduct method development to support nucleic acid cargo and LNP product release, stability, and characterization
• Lead experimental studies to optimize specificity, sensitivity, precision, accuracy, and/or linearity of analytical methods
• Analyze, troubleshoot, and communicate experimental findings clearly and succinctly in oral, written, and visual formats
• Troubleshoot assay development and instrument operation issues as they arise
• Run assays on samples generated during platform development studies
• Maintain inventory of nucleic acid cargo and deliver materials supporting development and formulation activities
• Document lab activities in detailed protocols and reports in an electronic lab notebook (Benchling)
• Compose and revise SOPs and train team members on new assays
• Present experimental results and updates to internal teams
• Assist with general laboratory tasks as needed to ensure efficient operations
• Work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemistry, Biochemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology or related field. B.S. degree with 10+ years, M.S. degree with 8+ years, Ph.D. with 0+ years of relevant industry experience
• Technical expertise in HPLC separations and plate-based assays (e.g. ELISA, qPCR/dPCR, residual protein)
• Prior hands-on experience working on HPLC methods applied to mRNA/DNA cargo and nanoparticle delivery vehicles (e.g. LNPs or liposomes) is highly desired
• Proven ability to independently design, execute, and troubleshoot complex experiments
• Experience mentoring, training, or providing technical guidance to junior staff is desired
• Strong communication and organization skills; good working knowledge of Benchling, MS Office, JMP, GraphPad, Empower, Chromeleon
• Demonstrates attention to detail, meticulous record keeping and personal organization
• Ability to analyze, compile, and present experimental data in oral presentations as well as in technical reports
• Strong technical writing skills to support method SOPs, protocols, and reports

More About Flagship Pioneering

We are creative optimists and we would love for you to consider joining our team! See all our open opportunities across Flagship Pioneering's Ecosystem!

Flagship Pioneering conceives, creates, resources, and develops first-in-category life sciences companies to transform human health and sustainability. Since its launch in 2000, the firm has applied a unique hypothesis-driven innovation process to originate and foster more than 100 scientific ventures, resulting in over $34 billion in aggregate value. To date, Flagship is backed by more than $4.4 billion of aggregate capital commitments, of which over $1.9 billion has been deployed toward the founding and growth of its pioneering companies alongside more than $10 billion of follow-on investments from other institutions. The current Flagship ecosystem comprises 41 transformative companies, including: Axcella Health (NASDAQ: AXLA), Denali Therapeutics (NASDAQ: DNLI), Evelo Biosciences (NASDAQ: EVLO), Foghorn Therapeutics, Indigo Ag, Kaleido Biosciences (NASDAQ: KLDO), Moderna (NASDAQ: MRNA), Rubius Therapeutics (NASDAQ: RUBY), Sana Biotechnology, Seres Therapeutics (NASDAQ: MCRB), and Syros Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: SYRS).

We believe pioneering is best done by teams, and that it is a process that can be taught, learned, and replicated. Learn more about our Company Creation Model.

Can Breakthrough Innovations Be Made Systematically? A Conversation With Noubar Afeyan, Flagship Pioneering's CEO.

Flagship Pioneering and our ecosystem companies are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

The salary range for this role is $96,000 - $126,500. Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. Serif Biomedicines currently offers healthcare coverage, annual incentive program, retirement benefits and a broad range of other benefits. Compensation and benefits information is based on Serif Biomedicines's good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.