Senior Associate: Agri-Sustainability Venture Origination

Flagship Pioneering, Inc.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 155,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Flagship Pioneering, Inc. seeks a Senior Associate to originate and build new science-based companies.

You will explore biology and technology, design rapid experiments, and translate ideas into new ventures with leadership across early team formation and IP strategy. You will work closely with Principals/Partners, mentor teams, and help shape company strategy and operationalization across the origination journey.

Qualifications

• PhD required with deep knowledge in plant biology or related fields.
• Experience in translational or startup environments is preferred.
• Ability to rapidly translate science into venture hypotheses and plans.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to originations of science-based ventures and develop actionable hypotheses.
• Design rapid experiments to test core assumptions and value propositions.
• Identify and engage academic experts, vet concepts, and de-risk key ideas.
• Develop IP strategy, assess patentability, and map licensable opportunities.
• Plan company strategy, goals, timelines, and resourcing for rapid growth.
• Lead scientific teams and recruit early-stage researchers and collaborators.
• Collaborate with Flagship operations to ensure program execution.

Skills

PhD in plant biology

Plant pathology

Plant physiology

Biochemistry

Genetics

Entrepreneurship/startup experience

Leadership/mentoring

Education

PhD from a top university

Job description

Flagship Pioneering, Inc. seeks a Senior Associate to originate and build new science-based companies.

You will explore biology and technology, design rapid experiments, and translate ideas into new ventures with leadership across early team formation and IP strategy. You will work closely with Principals/Partners, mentor teams, and help shape company strategy and operationalization across the origination journey.