Scientist, LNP Process and Development Cambridge, MA

Serif Biomedicines; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Annual incentive program

Retirement benefits

Broad range of other benefits

Job summary

Serif Biomedicines is seeking a Scientist to develop and scale-up lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations for nucleic acid delivery. The role emphasizes process optimization and scale-up of targeted LNPs with modified DNA and cofactor mRNA, plus early formulation screening and system design improvements.

You will work with cross-functional teams to advance LNP platform capabilities and support scalable, robust delivery systems in a collaborative, science-driven culture.

Qualifications

• PhD/MS/Bachelor with significant industry experience in process development for nanoparticle/LNP systems.
• Experience with nucleic acid formulations (mRNA, DNA) is highly preferred.
• Familiarity with formulation scale-up and characterization methods (DLS, encapsulation assays).
• Demonstrated ability to design experiments, analyze data, and solve complex technical problems.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

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/external teams to evaluate LNP formulations.
• Assist with technology transfer and scale-up with external partners or internal manufacturing teams.
• Analyze data, maintain documentation, and communicate findings to project teams.
• Stay current with LNP technologies and nucleic acid delivery approaches.

Skills

Process development

Scale-up

Nanoparticle/LNP systems

Nucleic acid formulations

Experiment design & data analysis

Collaboration & communication

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering / Pharmaceutical Sciences / Bioengineering or related field

MS with 8+ years of experience

Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of experience

Tools

DLS

Job description

Serif Biomedicines is a privately held, early-stage biotechnology company pioneering Modified DNA as a new class of medicines. Modified DNA brings together the best features of mRNA and gene therapy, while mitigating their limitations, by enabling medicines that are durable, redosable, programmable, and scalable. 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), Generate Biomedicines (GENB), Seres Therapeutics (MCRB), Tessera Therapeutics, and Lila Sciences.

The 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; M.S. with 8+ years of experience; or Bachelor 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

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 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 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 annual list of the World Most Innovative Companies. Learn more about Flagship https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/xLXBCqxk3LTk9pwcZf3CEkjif?domain=flagshippioneering.com.

At Flagship, we accept impossible missions to enable bigger leaps. Our core values guide us through uncertainty and toward lasting impact.

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.

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.

Privacy Notice for Applicants: When you apply for a role at Serif Biomedicines, Inc., a Flagship Pioneering portfolio company, we collect and use personal information you provide (such as your name, contact details, work history, and application materials) to evaluate your application, communicate with you, and comply with legal obligations. Your application data is processed through Greenhouse, our applicant tracking system, and may also be reviewed using AI-assisted screening tools. We do not sell your personal information. California residents have rights under the CCPA/CPRA including to know, delete, and opt out of the sharing of their personal information. If you are located in the EU or UK, we process your data under GDPR and you have rights to access, rectify, and erase your data. To exercise your rights or for questions, contact [e-mail].