Scientist, LNP Process and Development

Flagship Pioneering; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Annual incentive program

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Serif Biomedicines in Cambridge, MA is seeking a Scientist to support the development and scale‑up of lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations for nucleic acid delivery. The role focuses on process optimization, formulation screening, and early‑stage R&D to advance scalable LNP systems.

You will work with cross‑functional teams to drive formulation design, characterization, and technology transfer, contributing to robust, manufacturable delivery platforms and ongoing platform improvements.

Qualifications

• PhD level with 3+ years in industry, MS 8+ years, or Bachelor 10+ years in related field.
• Strong background in process development, scale-up or manufacturing of nanoparticle or LNP systems.
• Experience with nucleic acid formulations (e.g., mRNA, DNA) is highly preferred.
• Familiarity with mixing, scale-up, and characterization techniques (e.g., DLS).
• Ability to design experiments, analyze data and solve problems; strong collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Support process development and optimization for LNP formulation and scale‑up, including mixing parameters and encapsulation efficiency.
• Design experiments to improve performance and manufacturability of LNPs encapsulating modified DNA and mRNA.
• Collaborate with internal and external teams to evaluate LNP formulations.
• Assist with technology transfer and scale‑up activities with partners or manufacturing teams.
• Analyze data, document findings, and communicate results to project teams.
• Stay current with LNP technologies and nucleic acid delivery approaches.

Skills

Process development

Scale-up

LNP formulation

Nucleic acid delivery

DLS characterization

Data analysis

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering

MS with 8+ years experience

Bachelors with 10+ years experience

Tools

Dynamic Light Scattering

Encapsulation assays

Job description

Company Description

Serif Biomedicines is a privately held, early‑stage biotechnology company developing a novel approach to gene therapy that can address currently untreatable diseases. It was founded by Flagship Pioneering, an innovation enterprise that conceives, creates, resources, and grows first‑in‑category life sciences companies.

Role

We are seeking a highly motivated Scientist to support the development and scale‑up of lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations for nucleic acid delivery. This role will focus on process optimization and scale‑up of targeted LNPs encapsulating modified DNA and cofactor mRNA, while also contributing to research efforts aimed at improving LNP design and performance.

This is an ideal opportunity for a scientist with a strong background in process development who is interested in expanding into formulation development and early‑stage R&D, including formulation screening and optimization of next‑generation LNP systems. The successful candidate will work collaboratively within cross‑functional teams to advance LNP platform capabilities and support the development of scalable and robust nucleic acid delivery systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Support process development and optimization activities for LNP formulation and scale‑up, including mixing parameters, encapsulation efficiency, and reproducibility.
• Design and execute experiments to improve the performance and manufacturability of LNPs encapsulating modified DNA and mRNA.
• Collaborate with internal and external teams to support characterization and evaluation of LNP formulations.
• Assist with technology transfer and scale‑up activities, including coordination with external partners or internal manufacturing teams.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data, maintain accurate documentation, and communicate findings to project teams.
• Stay current with advancements in LNP technologies and nucleic acid delivery approaches.

Professional Experience and Qualifications

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bioengineering, or a related field, with 3+ years of relevant industry experience; MS with 8+ years of experience; or Bachelors with 10+ years of experience.
• Strong background in process development, scale‑up, or manufacturing of nanoparticle or LNP‑based systems.
• Experience working with nucleic acid formulations (e.g., mRNA, DNA) is highly preferred.
• Familiarity with T mixing or similar, formulation scale‑up, and characterization techniques (e.g., DLS, encapsulation assays).
• Demonstrated ability to design experiments, analyze data, and solve complex technical problems.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to work at the forefront of LNP formulation innovation.
• Collaborative, science‑driven culture with high impact research.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package. The salary range for this role is $100,000 - $143,000. 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.